News gathered 2024-01-11

(date: 2024-01-11 14:42:20)

City of Santa Barbara to Hold Community Engagement Meetings for the Westside and Lower West Neighborhoods Transportation Management Plan Implementation Project

date: 2024-01-11, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News

The City of Santa Barbara will hold both an online and an open house public meeting to review the Westside

The post City of Santa Barbara to Hold Community Engagement Meetings for the Westside and Lower West Neighborhoods Transportation Management Plan Implementation Project appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

https://www.independent.com/2024/01/11/city-of-santa-barbara-to-hold-community-engagement-meetings-for-the-westside-and-lower-west-neighborhoods-transportation-management-plan-implementation-project/ Save to Pocket

Suit accuses Harvard of violating civil rights of Jewish students

date: 2024-01-11, from: San Jose Mercury News

Fallout from the Israel-Hamas war has roiled campuses across the U.S. and reignited a debate over free speech. College leaders have struggled to define the line where political speech crosses into harassment and discrimination, with Jewish and Arab students raising concerns that their schools are doing too little to protect them.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/11/suit-accuses-harvard-of-violating-civil-rights-of-jewish-students/ Save to Pocket

PEA SOUP ANDERSEN’S INN IS OPEN

date: 2024-01-11, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News

BUELLTON, CA – Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn located in Buellton, California is open and welcoming guests. The neighboring restaurant with

The post PEA SOUP ANDERSEN’S INN IS OPEN appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

https://www.independent.com/2024/01/11/pea-soup-andersens-inn-is-open/ Save to Pocket

Bundle Up for ‘Snow Much Fun’ at the Santa Barbara Zoo’s Snow Leopard Festival!

date: 2024-01-11, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News

The community is invited to enjoy 80 tons of snow, sledding, and learn about snow leopards!

The post Bundle Up for ‘Snow Much Fun’ at the Santa Barbara Zoo’s Snow Leopard Festival! appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

https://www.independent.com/2024/01/11/bundle-up-for-snow-much-fun-at-the-santa-barbara-zoos-snow-leopard-festival/ Save to Pocket

County’s Community Care Grant Applications Opening Jan. 22

date: 2024-01-11, from: SCV New (TV Station)

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, the Los Angeles County Development Authority and Brilliant Corners are excited to announce the launch of the Community Care Expansion Preservation Capital Projects Grant Program, which will fund physical rehabilitation improvements for licensed adult residential facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly, and residential care facilities for… https://scvnews.com/countys-community-care-grant-applications-opening-jan-22/ Save to Pocket

Cal State faculty union vows to strike over the university’s final pay offer

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Signal

By Mikhail Zinshteyn CalMatters Writer  The faculty union of the California State University is planning a week of strikes across the 23 campuses, including Cal State Northridge, Jan. 22-26 after the system said this week that it would provide 5% raises to members, far below what the union is seeking.  The California Faculty Association is asking […]

The post Cal State faculty union vows to strike over the university’s final pay offer appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/cal-state-faculty-union-vows-to-strike-over-the-universitys-final-pay-offer/ Save to Pocket

‘Trump Has Taken Presidential Immunity to Its Illogical Extreme’

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: Daring Fireball

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/01/trump-presidential-immunity-trial/677068/ Save to Pocket

NanoRaptor’s Apple Pascal Poster Recreation

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: Daring Fireball

https://bitbang.social/@NanoRaptor/111699576526610669 Save to Pocket

Bicyclist killed by train in Fremont is identified

date: 2024-01-11, from: San Jose Mercury News

Authorities said a Milpitas man was riding his bicycle on the tracks when he was struck by an ACE train Jan. 2 near Auto Mall Parkway and Nobel Drive.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/11/bicyclist-killed-by-train-in-fremont-is-identified/ Save to Pocket

Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce to Celebrate Regional Business Excellence

date: 2024-01-11, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News

The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, from Goleta to Carpinteria, is pleased to announce the recipients of the

The post Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce to Celebrate Regional Business Excellence appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

https://www.independent.com/2024/01/11/santa-barbara-south-coast-chamber-of-commerce-to-celebrate-regional-business-excellence/ Save to Pocket

What Caused the Mysterious Extinction of ‘Giganto,’ the World’s Largest Ape?

date: 2024-01-11, from: Smithsonian Magazine

The massive primates were unable to shift their diet to keep pace with a changing climate, according to a new study, forcing them to eat less nutritious bark and twigs

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/what-caused-mysterious-extinction-giganto-worlds-largest-ape-180983582/ Save to Pocket

Daily Deals (1-11-2024)

date: 2024-01-11, from: Liliputing

Humble Bundle is offering a deal that lets you pick up 38 DRM-free eBooks from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series for $18. Not $18 each… $18 for the whole bundle, which includes almost every book in this fantastic series. Theoretically this is one of those name-your-price deals. You can get the first three books in the series […]

The post Daily Deals (1-11-2024) appeared first on Liliputing.

https://liliputing.com/daily-deals-1-11-2024/ Save to Pocket

BBEdit 15 Adds ChatGPT, Minimap, Cheat Sheets, and More

date: 2024-01-11, from: TidBITS blog

https://tidbits.com/2024/01/11/bbedit-15-adds-chatgpt-minimap-cheat-sheets-and-more/ Save to Pocket

COC Names Vanessa Zavala, Jacob Gonzalez Athletes of the Week

date: 2024-01-11, from: SCV New (TV Station)

College of the Canyons student-athletes Vanessa Zavala (women’s basketball) and Jacob Gonzalez (basketball) have been named the COC Athletic Department’s Women’s & Men’s Student-Athletes of the Week for the period running Jan. 2-

https://scvnews.com/coc-names-vanessa-zavala-jacob-gonzalez-athletes-of-the-week/ Save to Pocket

Relay For Life of SCV celebrates ‘First Lap’ and regional/national awards

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Signal

News release   Relay For Life of the Santa Clarita Valley celebrated the kickoff of the 2024 Relay For Life season recently by taking a ceremonial “First Lap” in Central Park. This year’s SCV Relay For Life signature event will again be held in Central Park on May 4, with the Disney/Star Wars theme, “May […]

The post Relay For Life of SCV celebrates ‘First Lap’ and regional/national awards appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/relay-for-life-of-scv-celebrates-first-lap-and-regional-national-awards/ Save to Pocket

Santa Barbara Public Library Invites Applications for Teen Advisory Board

date: 2024-01-11, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News

Santa Barbara Public Library (SBPL) is excited to announce the relaunch of the library’s Teen Advisory Board (T.A.B.) in January

The post Santa Barbara Public Library Invites Applications for Teen Advisory Board appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

https://www.independent.com/2024/01/11/santa-barbara-public-library-invites-applications-for-teen-advisory-board/ Save to Pocket

Home remodel: Expert offers tips on choosing the perfect faucet

date: 2024-01-11, from: San Jose Mercury News

How much do you know about the faucet on your sink? Here are pro tips for buying a faucet that will stand the test of time.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/11/home-remodel-expert-offers-tips-on-choosing-the-perfect-faucet/ Save to Pocket

USC collapses late in loss to Washington State

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

The injury-laden Trojans just cannot turn their season around.

The post USC collapses late in loss to Washington State appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/11/usc-collapses-late-in-loss-to-washington-state/ Save to Pocket

Man killed in Alameda traffic crash is identified

date: 2024-01-11, from: San Jose Mercury News

Police said the man was driving a car that crashed into a tree about 11:35 a.m. Dec. 31 in the 1300 block of Marina Village Parkway, near the Posey Tube. He died at the scene.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/11/man-killed-in-alameda-traffic-crash-is-identified/ Save to Pocket

Jan. 16: SCV Water Scheduled to Discuss Honby Tank Project

date: 2024-01-11, from: SCV New (TV Station)

The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency regular board meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m. at the Rio Vista Water Treatment Plant boardroom, 27234 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.

https://scvnews.com/jan-16-scv-water-scheduled-to-discuss-honby-tank-project/ Save to Pocket

City of Goleta Grant Funds Available for Local Non-Profits

date: 2024-01-11, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News

Apply by January 26 and attend a grant application workshop
on January 9.

The post City of Goleta Grant Funds Available for Local Non-Profits appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

https://www.independent.com/2024/01/11/city-of-goleta-grant-funds-available-for-local-non-profits-2/ Save to Pocket

eBay to cough up $3M after cyber-stalking couple who dared criticize the souk

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Staff sent live cockroaches, porno – and more – in harassment campaign to silence pair

eBay will pay $3 million to settle criminal charges that its security team stalked and harassed a Massachusetts couple in retaliation for their website’s critical coverage of the online tat bazaar.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/ebay_3m_penalty_stalking/ Save to Pocket

Joe Manchin Will Help You Sue the Biden Administration

date: 2024-01-11, from: Heatmap News

It’s not often you hear a sitting U.S. senator invite the public to sue the federal government — especially when the president is a member of their own party. But most sitting senators aren’t Joe Manchin.

Manchin continued his crusade against the Biden administration’s implementation of the electric vehicle subsidies in the Inflation Reduction Act on Thursday in a hearing of the Senate Natural Resources Committee to discuss the EV supply chain. Since the law’s passage, the Democrat from West Virginia has become obsessed with the idea that President Biden is trying to weaken rules around domestic content in order to allow more EVs to qualify for subsidies and therefore speed adoption.

The law requires that the final assembly of EVs — as well as the manufacture and processing of their components and critical minerals — be done largely in the United States or any of its free trade partners to qualify for subsidies.

Though the timelines for compliance are spelled out in the law, the Treasury Department has been tasked with releasing guidance to clarify certain aspects of the rules. For example, over the past year, the department has proposed interpretations of what exactly is considered a “battery component” and under what circumstances a component or mineral will be considered to have been produced by a “foreign entity of concern,” like China. Though those may both sound like straightforward questions, the guidance clarifies myriad gray areas, such as what happens when a U.S. company licenses Chinese technology.

But at the hearing on Thursday, Manchin used his opening remarks to accuse Treasury officials of extending timelines for compliance with certain aspects of the law and watering down domestic content requirements.

“The administration is delaying deadlines we wrote into the law to remove China completely from the battery supply chain,” he said. “Vehicles that contain battery minerals and components from China and other adversaries can qualify for years longer than the law allows.”

Manchin warned that the administration’s “unlawful rules are bound to get struck down in court.” He then vowed to “support any entity that goes to court to correct the illegal liberalization of this law with an amicus brief.”

It’s true that the Treasury has taken some liberties. For one, it has proposed temporarily exempting certain minerals that are currently very hard to trace from the foreign entity of concern rules. But during the hearing, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyomo maintained that the rules were strict. He noted that the list of electric vehicles that are eligible for the federal tax credit has shrunk from more than 40 when the IRA was signed into law down to just 13 as of the beginning of this year.

Automakers have largely supported Treasury’s rulemaking. For example, the lobbying group the Alliance for Automotive Innovation welcomed the clarity provided by the proposed foreign entity of concern rules in December, saying that they struck a “pragmatic balance.” Autos Drive America, another trade group that represents foreign automakers operating in the country, also reacted positively.

Adeyomo testified that automakers have told Treasury the rules are tough but achievable. In response to a question about the need to deploy more electric vehicle chargers, he also noted that the administration will be releasing guidance on a tax credit for charging stations in the coming weeks.

To be clear: Manchin maintained that he was proud of passing the IRA and stood by its goals. His problem wasn’t with EVs, but rather that the Biden administration was “willing to bend and break the law” to implement its “radical climate agenda.”

Republicans, meanwhile, used the hearing to raise concerns broader about the risks EVs pose to the electric grid. Senator John Barasso of Wyoming cited a recent report that warned of waning supply reliability over the next decade due to a sharp rise in demand caused in part by electric vehicles, as well as the retirement of fossil fuel generators.

But David Turk, the Deputy Secretary of Energy, responded that EVs can actually be a solution for the grid because they add new energy storage capacity and are a flexible source of demand. “The fact that we’re going to have a whole bunch more batteries out there, that we can determine when those batteries are charged,” he said, “that’s actually going to be a more resilient grid if we incorporate that.”

This is unlikely to be the last we hear from Manchin about the EV tax credit. In December, he asked the Government Accountability Office to issue a legal opinion on whether Congress could overturn the Treasury’s guidance under the Congressional Review Act.

https://heatmap.news/sparks/manchin-ev-tax-credit-rules Save to Pocket

50 Years Ago: Skylab 4 Astronauts Begin Record-Breaking Third Month in Space

date: 2024-01-11, from: NASA breaking news

In space since their launch on Nov. 16, 1973, Skylab 4 astronauts Gerald P. Carr, Edward G. Gibson, and William R. Pogue began the new year of 1974 roughly halfway through their planned 84-day mission. By the end of January, the three rookies held the records for the longest single space flight and the most […]

https://www.nasa.gov/history/50-years-ago-skylab-4-astronauts-begin-record-breaking-third-month-in-space/ Save to Pocket

Long Beach Now Accepting Applications For Guaranteed Income Program

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The LAist

Under the Long Beach Pledge pilot, 200 more eligible families will receive $500 a month for one year.

https://laist.com/news/long-beach-applications-guaranteed-income-program Save to Pocket

Media advisory: The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County 2024 Volunteer recruitment

date: 2024-01-11, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is seeking volunteers to help support our public programs! Informational sessions are being

The post Media advisory: The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County 2024 Volunteer recruitment appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

https://www.independent.com/2024/01/11/media-advisory-the-land-trust-for-santa-barbara-county-2024-volunteer-recruitment/ Save to Pocket

Trump Assails Prosecutor, Judge at Business Fraud Trial

date: 2024-01-11, from: VOA News USA

https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-assails-prosecutor-judge-at-business-fraud-trial-/7436354.html Save to Pocket

@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-01-11, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)

Say I had a reading list with my favorite podcasts and my podcasting client could subscribe to it. Then when I add a feed to that list on my desktop computer, the podcast client would automatically be subscribed to it.

http://scripting.com/2024/01/11/160744.html?title=ideasForReadingLists Save to Pocket

“THEY COUNT, WILL YOU?”

date: 2024-01-11, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News

Volunteers are needed for the 2024 Homeless Point-In-Time Count

The post “THEY COUNT, WILL YOU?” appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

https://www.independent.com/2024/01/11/they-count-will-you/ Save to Pocket

ASUS’ new graphics cards and motherboards replace 12VHPWR connector with a 600W PCIe

date: 2024-01-11, from: OS News

At CES 2024, ASUS unveiled a new standard for motherboards, graphics cards, and cases. Called BTF (short for Back-to-The-Future), it offers much cleaner cable management with power connectors at the back of a motherboard. More importantly, it fully ditches the ill-fated 12VHPWR plug in favor of a much tidier (and probably safer) 600W PCIe connector. ASUS claims computers with BTF components are easier to assemble since all plugs and connectors are located at the back side of the motherboard tray without other components obstructing access to power, SATA, USB, IO, and other connectors. Therefore, “you won’t have to reach as far into the depth of your chassis to plug things in.” BTF should also make cable management much more elegant, resulting in a tidy, showcase-ready build. ↫ Taras Buria at NeoWin The interior of PCs effectively hasn’t changed since the ’80s, and it feels like it, too. Many of the connectors and plugs are unwieldy, in terrible places, hard to connect/disconnect, difficult to route, and so on. A lot more needs to be done than putting the connectors on the back of the motherboard and integrating GPU power delivery into the PCIe slot, but even baby steps like these are downright revolutionary in the conservative, change-averse, anti-user world of PC building. I don’t say this very often, but basically, look at the last Intel Mac Pro. That’s what a modern PC should look and work like inside.

https://www.osnews.com/story/138281/asus-new-graphics-cards-and-motherboards-replace-12vhpwr-connector-with-a-600w-pcie/ Save to Pocket

Greece Reopens the Palace Where Alexander the Great Was Crowned

date: 2024-01-11, from: Smithsonian Magazine

The 2,300-year-old Palace of Aigai—the largest building in classical Greece—had been under renovation for 16 years

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/greece-reopens-the-palace-where-alexander-the-great-was-crowned-180983574/ Save to Pocket

Riverside County Will Get More EV Charging Stations With Federal Funding Boost

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The LAist

Some of the funds in California will create chargers for long-haul freight trucks and electric vehicles.

https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/riverside-county-will-get-more-ev-charging-stations-with-federal-funding-boost Save to Pocket

Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to federal tax charges

date: 2024-01-11, from: San Jose Mercury News

Prosecutors say Hunter Biden falsely claimed some of these expenses, including payments to escorts, as deductions on his taxes. He has since paid the IRS back what he owes in taxes and penalties.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/11/hunter-biden-pleads-not-guilty-to-federal-tax-charges/ Save to Pocket

Bay Area’s Dungeness commercial crab season can start officially Jan. 18 — with caveats

date: 2024-01-11, from: San Jose Mercury News

State officials, fishing fleets agree to a 50 percent reduction in traps

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/11/bay-areas-dungeness-commercial-crab-season-can-start-officially-jan-18-with-caveats/ Save to Pocket

Honoring the Dream: A Day of Unity

date: 2024-01-11, from: City of Santa Clarita

Honoring the Dream: A Day of Unity By Mayor Cameron Smyth Dr. King was a visionary leader whose courage and commitment to justice changed the course of history. His dream of a Nation free from racial injustice and discrimination continues to inspire us. As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 15, it […]

The post Honoring the Dream: A Day of Unity appeared first on City of Santa Clarita.

https://santaclarita.gov/blog/2024/01/11/honoring-the-dream-a-day-of-unity/ Save to Pocket

The Science of Snowflakes

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/the-science-of-snowflakes Save to Pocket

DUOONE is a dual-screen portable monitor with Smart KVM support and multiple inputs

date: 2024-01-11, from: Liliputing

This week Asus unveiled a portable monitor with foldable OLED display that lets you use the Zenscreen Fold MQ17QH as a single 17.3 inch display or two 12.5 inch screens. But with a $2000 price tag, this foldable monitor is going to be a pretty tough sell. There may be a cheaper option though… if you […]

The post DUOONE is a dual-screen portable monitor with Smart KVM support and multiple inputs appeared first on Liliputing.

https://liliputing.com/duoone-is-a-dual-screen-portable-monitor-with-smart-kvm-support-and-multiple-inputs/ Save to Pocket

Henry Mayo Newhall Primary Care Welcomes Carissa Bencito

date: 2024-01-11, from: SCV New (TV Station)

Carissa Bencito, FNP-C, a certified family nurse practitioner, has joined Henry Mayo Newhall Primary Care

https://scvnews.com/henry-mayo-newhall-primary-care-welcomes-carissa-bencito/ Save to Pocket

CHP: No closures on I-5 after snow in Frazier Park

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Signal

There were no road closures as of midday Thursday on Interstate 5 after Frazier Park received snow due to record low temperatures, according to California Highway Patrol officials.   According to Officer Garcia, a spokesman for the CHP Tejon division, who declined to provide his first name, said that there are currently no road closures on […]

The post CHP: No closures on I-5 after snow in Frazier Park   appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/chp-no-closures-on-i-5-after-snow-in-frazier-park/ Save to Pocket

@Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed (date: 2024-01-11, from: Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed)

This Q&A is so clear, simple and easy to understand that it would be a crime for you not to take this economics crash course.

It will take you 10 minutes, and it will feel like upgrading from doing accounting on clay tablets to using Excel:

https://on.ft.com/41TONWe

https://mastodon.social/@Migueldeicaza/111739371079188609 Save to Pocket

Why Google is waiving egress fees for disgruntled customers ditching GCP

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Hint: US, UK, European antitrust police are on the hunt

Data egress fees aren’t going away, but if you really want to ditch Google Cloud and take your data somewhere else, the search giant is willing to cut you a break.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/google_says_itll_wave_egress/ Save to Pocket

Google will chop 700-plus Bay Area jobs as tech firms start 2024 in grim fashion

date: 2024-01-11, from: San Jose Mercury News

Google has sketched out plans for a fresh bout of Bay Area job cuts by detailing its intention to chop more than 700 jobs in the South Bay.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/11/google-job-cut-layoff-tech-economy-unity-block-mountain-view-sunnyale/ Save to Pocket

Grand jury declines to charge Ohio woman who miscarried at home

date: 2024-01-11, from: San Jose Mercury News

Brittany Watts had visited Mercy Health-St. Joseph’s Hospital, a Catholic facility in working-class Warren, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) southeast of Cleveland, twice in the days leading up to her miscarriage. Her doctor had told her she was carrying a nonviable fetus and to have her labor induced or risk “significant risk” of death, according to records of her case.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/11/grand-jury-declines-to-charge-ohio-woman-who-miscarried-at-home/ Save to Pocket

The Riviera Ridge School Welcomes Community to Create and Innovate at Annual Maker Fair

date: 2024-01-11, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News

Santa Barbara, CA. (January 2023) – The entire Santa Barbara Community is invited to The Riviera Ridge School’s mountain-view campus on Saturday,

The post The Riviera Ridge School Welcomes Community to Create and Innovate at Annual Maker Fair appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

https://www.independent.com/2024/01/11/the-riviera-ridge-school-welcomes-community-to-create-and-innovate-at-annual-maker-fair/ Save to Pocket

US Regulator: No Evidence Yet Linking Weight-Loss Drugs to Suicidal Thoughts

date: 2024-01-11, from: VOA News USA

https://www.voanews.com/a/us-fda-finds-no-evidence-yet-linking-weight-loss-drugs-to-suicidal-thoughts/7436290.html Save to Pocket

Sheriff’s Office Announces New Chief Administrative Officer

date: 2024-01-11, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News

Santa Barbara, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office proudly announces the selection of Gary Warkentin as its new Chief

The post Sheriff’s Office Announces New Chief Administrative Officer appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

https://www.independent.com/2024/01/11/sheriffs-office-announces-new-chief-administrative-officer/ Save to Pocket

Travel: How you can sail around the Caribbean on a superyacht

date: 2024-01-11, from: San Jose Mercury News

Emerald Sakara, a 100-guest vessel, delivers understated elegance and luxurious perks.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/11/travel-how-you-can-sail-around-the-caribbean-on-a-superyacht/ Save to Pocket

St. Paul, Minn., makes history with all-female city council

date: 2024-01-11, from: San Jose Mercury News

Experts who track women in politics said St. Paul, with a population of about 300,000 people, is the first large U.S. city they know of with an all-female city council. But even as the council members celebrate the milestone, they are expressing more excitement about what the all-female council can accomplish in the coming year.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/11/st-paul-minn-makes-history-with-all-female-city-council/ Save to Pocket

Niklaus Wirth, Titan of Computer Science and Creator of Pascal, Dies at 89

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: Daring Fireball

https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/04/niklaus_wirth_obituary/ Save to Pocket

You can cry, you can smile at the same time

date: 2024-01-11, from: Bloonface Blog

Yukihiro Takahashi, Yellow Magic Orchestra’s drummer and (usual) lead singer, died a year ago today of pneumonia. Most of my followers are bored to fucking tears hearing about my undying love for his album Neuromantic, and specifically the track “Drip Dry Eyes” from that album, but I’m going to talk about it anyway because I […]

http://blog.bloonface.com/2024/01/11/you-can-cry-you-can-smile-at-the-same-time/ Save to Pocket

LEVER TIME: Amid Boeing Crisis, Is It Still Safe To Fly?

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Lever News

David Sirota and guests explore how the air travel industry — including manufacturers like Boeing — sacrificed quality for profit.

https://www.levernews.com/lever-time-amid-boeing-crisis-is-it-still-safe-to-fly/ Save to Pocket

Pentagon Inspector General to Review Defense Secretary’s Hospitalization

date: 2024-01-11, from: VOA News USA

https://www.voanews.com/a/pentagon-inspector-general-to-review-defense-secretary-s-hospitalization/7436252.html Save to Pocket

@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-01-11, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)

Trump’s Lawyers Argue Biden Can Assassinate Him. (I know what you’re thinking.)

https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/trump-lawyers-argue-biden-can-assassinate-him Save to Pocket

Iron Age Moat Discovered in Jerusalem Parking Lot

date: 2024-01-11, from: Smithsonian Magazine

The structure’s purpose is unclear, but researchers think it may have been used to divide the city in two

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-a-gigantic-ditch-bisecting-jerusalem-is-changing-perceptions-of-the-ancient-city-180983571/ Save to Pocket

NASA to Brief Media on Climate Mission to Study Ocean Life, Air

date: 2024-01-11, from: NASA breaking news

NASA will host a media teleconference at 12 p.m. EST, Wednesday, Jan. 17, to discuss the upcoming launch and science objectives of the agency’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission. Once in orbit above Earth, the satellite will shed light on the impact of tiny things – microscopic life in water and microscopic particles […]

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-to-brief-media-on-climate-mission-to-study-ocean-life-air/ Save to Pocket

The Soulless George Carlin AI

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: One Foot Tsunami

https://onefoottsunami.com/2024/01/11/the-soulless-george-carlin-ai/ Save to Pocket

Keeping it ‘661 Local’ at the SCAA Gallery

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Signal

News release   The Santa Clarita Artists Association Gallery is keeping it “661 Local” with its first art show of 2024, opening next week and featuring multiple local artists.  “661 Local,” an art show where gallery guests will take a tour through Santa Clarita and surrounding 661 areas, launches on Jan. 19 and runs through […]

The post Keeping it ‘661 Local’ at the SCAA Gallery appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/keeping-it-661-local-at-the-scaa-gallery/ Save to Pocket

Local iLEAD Students Perform Real-World, Post-Flight Analysis

date: 2024-01-11, from: SCV New (TV Station)

On Saturday, Dec. 30, while their classmates were on winter break, teams of students from three area tuition-free public charter schools gathered in the science lab at Santa Clarita Valley International (SCVi) Charter School to open packages sent to them from space

https://scvnews.com/local-ilead-students-perform-real-world-post-flight-analysis/ Save to Pocket

@Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed (date: 2024-01-11, from: Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed)

My next Godot on iPad task is to kill the top menu bar and move all its functionality to iPad-blessed locations.

https://mastodon.social/@Migueldeicaza/111739046645954925 Save to Pocket

California Grizzlies Weren’t as Big—or Bloodthirsty—as People Once Thought

date: 2024-01-11, from: Smithsonian Magazine

The now-extinct bears were mostly vegetarians and measured about the same size as today’s North American grizzlies

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/california-grizzlies-werent-as-big-or-bloodthirsty-as-people-thought-180983578/ Save to Pocket

After 96 days of conflict, 79 journalists covering Israel-Gaza have been killed. Others are feeling the toll.

date: 2024-01-11, from: Nieman Journalism Lab

Seventy-nine journalists and media workers have been killed covering the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, according to numbers released Thursday by the Committee to Protect Journalists. Of the 79, CPJ says, 72 were Palestinian, four were Israeli, and three were Lebanese. Another 21 journalists have been arrested, 16 injured, and three have been…

https://www.niemanlab.org/2024/01/after-96-days-of-conflict-79-journalists-covering-israel-gaza-have-been-killed-others-are-feeling-the-toll/ Save to Pocket

BBEdit 15

date: 2024-01-11, from: Michael Tsai

Bare Bones Software (Mastodon): A new Minimap palette shows a high-level overview of the active text document. This facilitates visualization of the document’s overall structure, as well as navigation within larger documents. I love the minimap in recent versions of Xcode, but I’ve not found myself using the BBEdit version much. It’s in a floating […]

https://mjtsai.com/blog/2024/01/11/bbedit-15/ Save to Pocket

AirDrop Log Dehashing

date: 2024-01-11, from: Michael Tsai

Lawrence Abrams (MacRumors): A Chinese state-backed research institute claims to have discovered how to decrypt device logs for Apple’s AirDrop feature, allowing the government to identify phone numbers or email addresses of those who shared content.[…]To get around censorship in the country, people turned to Apple’s AirDrop feature, which doesn’t require cellular service and uses […]

https://mjtsai.com/blog/2024/01/11/airdrop-log-dehashing/ Save to Pocket

Displaying Progress Is Hard

date: 2024-01-11, from: Michael Tsai

Howard Oakley: When I copied some files from iCloud Drive, instead of seeing a progress indicator reporting that they were being downloaded from iCloud, the dialog claimed that it was “preparing to move” the document in question. These preparations took some considerable time, during which the Finder’s status bar revealed what was actually taking the […]

https://mjtsai.com/blog/2024/01/11/displaying-progress-is-hard/ Save to Pocket

Easier Mac Audio App Installs

date: 2024-01-11, from: Michael Tsai

Paul Kafasis: As a result of changes Apple made back in MacOS 11, our apps have been stuck with a setup process that’s much more complicated than we’d like. Currently, an annoying restart is required to get going on Intel-based Macs. Setup is even more burdensome on Apple’s newest M Chip-based Macs, with multiple restarts […]

https://mjtsai.com/blog/2024/01/11/easier-mac-audio-app-installs/ Save to Pocket

The Stunning Winners of the 2024 Close-Up Photographer of the Year Contest

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/the-stunning-winners-of-the-2024-close-up-photographer-of-the-year-contest Save to Pocket

OpenWrt developers consider launching their first hardware design

date: 2024-01-11, from: Liliputing

OpenWrt is an open source, Linux-based operating system designed for embedded devices like routers. The project has been around for two decades at this point, and can now be installed on thousands of routers and other devices. Now some of the developers behind the project have put together a proposal for the first hardware designed […]

The post OpenWrt developers consider launching their first hardware design appeared first on Liliputing.

https://liliputing.com/openwrt-developers-consider-launching-their-first-hardware-design/ Save to Pocket

College Briefs for Jan. 11

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Signal

Local student named to Newman University dean’s list  Newman University has released its 2023 fall dean’s list, which includes Danielle Rodriguez, of Santa Clarita.  A total of 413 undergraduate students achieved the qualifications required, completing at least 12 credit hours and achieving a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.  Newman University, in Wichita, Kansas, […]

The post College Briefs for Jan. 11 appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/college-briefs-for-jan-11/ Save to Pocket

[Sponsor] It’s Meh

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: Daring Fireball

https://meh.com/?utm_source=daringfireball&utm_medium=sponsor&utm_campaign=dontwant Save to Pocket

US FAA Investigating Boeing 737 Max 9 After Mid-Air Panel Incident

date: 2024-01-11, from: VOA News USA

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration is launching a formal investigation into the Boeing 737 Max 9 after a cabin panel blew off an Alaska Airlines ALK.N flight while in mid-air last week, forcing an emergency landing, the regulator said Thursday. 

The FAA grounded 171 Boeing jets installed with the same panel after the landing, most of which are operated by U.S. carriers Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, pending safety inspections.  

It is still unclear when the planes will be cleared to fly again, and the incident is the latest in a series of events that have shaken the industry’s confidence in the aircraft manufacturer. 

The FAA said the Alaska Airlines Max 9 incident “should have never happened and it cannot happen again.” It told Boeing of the investigation in a letter on Wednesday “to determine if Boeing failed to ensure completed products conformed to its approved design and were in a condition for safe operation in compliance with FAA regulations” and after learning of “additional discrepancies.”  

“We will cooperate fully and transparently with the FAA and the NTSB on their investigations,” Boeing said in a statement about the investigation.  

Boeing did not respond to a request for comment. Its shares were down 1.2% on Thursday. 

Both Alaska and United said on Monday they had found loose parts on multiple grounded aircraft during preliminary checks, raising new concerns about how Boeing’s best-selling jet family is manufactured. The two carriers have canceled numerous flights with the planes grounded. 

The carriers still need revised inspection and maintenance instructions from Boeing that must be approved by the FAA before they can begin flying the planes again.  

Boeing on Tuesday told staff the findings were being treated as a “quality control issue” and checks were under way at Boeing and supplier Spirit AeroSystems SPR.N, Reuters reported previously. 

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun told CNBC on Wednesday that a “quality escape” was at issue in the Max 9 cabin blowout.  

The Alaska Airlines flight had taken off from Portland, Oregon, on Friday and was flying at 16,000 feet (4,900 meters) when the panel tore off the plane, which had been in service for only eight weeks. Pilots returned the full jet to Portland, with only minor injuries suffered by people on board. 

Boeing’s manufacturing practices “need to comply with the high safety standards they’re legally accountable to meet,” the FAA added. 

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg declined to say on Wednesday when the FAA may allow the planes to resume flights but said it would only be when safe. 

“The only consideration on the timeline is safety,” Buttigieg told reporters. “Until it is ready, it is not ready. Nobody can or should be rushed in that process.” 

In 2019, global authorities subjected all Max planes to a wider grounding that lasted 20 months after crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia linked to poorly designed cockpit software killed a total of 346 people. 

Boeing ended 2023 in second place behind rival Airbus in aircraft deliveries for the fifth year running, after seeing its roughly 50% share of the market eroded by the earlier crisis. Airbus posted record annual jet orders on Thursday, booking nearly 2,100 net new orders in 2023, while Boeing booked 1,314 net new orders.

https://www.voanews.com/a/us-faa-investigating-boeing-737-max-9-after-mid-air-panel-incident-/7436088.html Save to Pocket

All the Types of Science Fiction. Incl. “3. Technology creates problems 😕…

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/0043767-all-the-types-of-science Save to Pocket

Officials Reverse Plans to Remove William Penn Statue From a Philadelphia Park

date: 2024-01-11, from: Smithsonian Magazine

The National Park Service had proposed replacing the statue with public resources showcasing the city’s Native American history

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/after-backlash-william-penn-statue-will-remain-standing-in-philadelphia-180983573/ Save to Pocket

NFL’s Patriots Part Ways with Coach Bill Belichick, Who Led Team to 6 Super Bowl Championships

date: 2024-01-11, from: VOA News USA

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Six-time National Football League champion Bill Belichick agreed to part ways as the coach of the New England Patriots, ending his 24-year tenure as the architect of the most decorated dynasty of the league’s Super Bowl era.

Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft announced the move to the media Thursday at Gillette Stadium. They didn’t take questions, though Kraft scheduled an availability for later in the day.

Belichick, 71, is just the third coach in NFL history to reach 300 career regular-season victories earlier this season, joining Hall of Famers Don Shula and George Halas. With 333 wins including the playoffs, Belichick trails only Shula (347) for the record for victories by a coach.

But the Patriots ended this season 4-13, Belichick’s worst record in 29 seasons as an NFL head coach. It supplanted the 5-11 mark he managed in his last year in Cleveland in 1995 and again in his first year in New England in 2000. Including the playoffs, he ends his Patriots tenure with a 333-178 overall record.

With his cutoff hoodies and ever-present scowl, Belichick teamed with quarterback Tom Brady to lead the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories, nine AFC titles and 17 division championships in 19 years. During a less successful — but also tumultuous — stint with the original Cleveland Browns, Belichick earned 37 of his career victories.

It’s not immediately clear who Kraft will tap to replace the future Hall of Famer.

Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo won a Super Bowl ring playing under Belichick and has interviewed for multiple head coaching vacancies since becoming a New England assistant in 2019. Mayo turned down a few interviews last offseason before signing a contract extension to remain with the Patriots.

Mike Vrabel, who was fired earlier this week by the Tennessee Titans and won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, is also expected to be a candidate for the head coaching job.

Belichick had been grooming offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to replace him before McDaniels left following the 2021 season to become the coach of the Raiders. He has since been fired by Las Vegas. Belichick’s two sons, Steve and Brian, are also on the coaching staff.

Belichick’s exit from the Patriots comes just a day after another legendary coach and his longtime friend Nick Saban announced he’d retire after winning seven college national championships. Saban worked for Belichick’s father, Steve, in the 1980s as a coach at Navy, and Bill Belichick hired Saban as his defensive coordinator when he became Cleveland’s head coach in 1991.

The six Super Bowl wins tie Belichick with pre-merger mentors Halas and Curly Lambeau for the most NFL championships. Belichick also won two rings as Bill Parcells’ defensive coordinator with the New York Giants.

But the Patriots have stumbled to a 29-38 record since Brady departed following the 2019 season and missed the playoffs in three of those four seasons. Beginning in 2001 when Brady became the starting quarterback, the Patriots missed the playoffs only once (2008) when Brady was injured. This marked New England’s fifth consecutive season without a playoff victory.

Belichick’s subsequent solutions at quarterback haven’t panned out.

Brady’s initial replacement, Cam Newton, didn’t resemble the player who won the 2015 MVP award and was cut after a 7-9 finish in 2020. Meanwhile Brady won his seventh Super Bowl ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that same season.

Potential long-term replacement Mac Jones, a 2021 first-round draft choice, was a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie and led New England to the playoffs. But he regressed in Year 2 when Belichick put longtime defensive assistant Matt Patricia in charge of the offense. Jones didn’t fare much better this season when Bill O’Brien returned as offensive coordinator. He was benched four times before being replaced as starter by backup Bailey Zappe for the final six games.

That left the Patriots looking at a lengthy rebuild, with no candidate on the roster to bring stability to the sport’s most important position.

Belichick, who also served as the de facto general manager with final say on personnel decisions, was celebrated for his ingenuity managing the salary cap during the run of Super Bowl success. It included getting stars like Brady and others to accept cap-friendly contracts or adjust their deals to accommodate the signing of other players.

But that acclaim has waned in the years since Brady left, as a run of draft picks and high-priced free agents didn’t live up to expectations. In addition, Belichick has seen several members of his personnel and scouting departments leave for other jobs. The list includes his former player personnel director, Nick Caserio, who was hired as Houston’s general manager in 2021.

Now it won’t be Belichick making the decisions for the Patriots on or off the field.

The only child of a World War II veteran who spent three decades as a Navy assistant coach, Belichick is a football historian with an encyclopedic knowledge of strategy from the sport’s early days to current NFL trends. His players said his attention to detail never left them unprepared.

Belichick has been a master of the NFL rule book, unearthing loopholes in clock operations and offensive line formations that – though entirely legal – cemented his reputation as a mad genius.

But his legacy in New England also includes two major cheating investigations — and other, minor ones — that cost him and the team draft picks and more than $1 million in fines. Opponents accused the Patriots of everything from hacking their headsets to cutting corners on injury reports.

His friendship with former President Donald Trump, which Belichick insisted was not political, landed the coach on the list to receive a Presidential Medal of Freedom in the waning days of the administration. After the outcry against the U.S. Capitol siege, Belichick announced “the decision has been made not to move forward.”

https://www.voanews.com/a/nfl-s-patriots-part-ways-with-coach-bill-belichick-who-led-team-to-6-super-bowl-championships/7436055.html Save to Pocket

Miners Discover Seven-Foot Mammoth Tusk in North Dakota

date: 2024-01-11, from: Smithsonian Magazine

After coal mine workers found the 50-pound specimen, paleontologists studied the site and uncovered more than 20 additional bones

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/miners-discover-seven-foot-mammoth-tusk-in-north-dakota-180983569/ Save to Pocket

Google Formally Endorses Right to Repair, Will Lobby to Pass Repair Laws

date: 2024-01-11, from: 404 Media Group

Google says repair should be easy and “parts pairing” should be illegal.

https://www.404media.co/google-formally-endorses-right-to-repair-will-lobby-to-pass-strong-repair-laws/ Save to Pocket

Silicon Valley weirdo’s quest to dodge death – yours for $333 a month

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Wonder when he’s going to give that 28-year-old their skin back

We’re born, we work, we die. That biological injustice just doesn’t mesh with the Silicon Valley mindset.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/bryan_johnson_health_subcription/ Save to Pocket

Techdirt on Substack: “A site that caters to Nazis is not a…

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/0043766-techdirt-on-substack-a-si Save to Pocket

NASA’s PACE To Investigate Oceans, Atmospheres in Changing Climate

date: 2024-01-11, from: NASA breaking news

Earth’s oceans and atmosphere are changing as the planet warms. Some ocean waters become greener as more microscopic organisms bloom. In the atmosphere, dust storms born on one continent affect the air quality of another, while smoke from massive wildfires can blanket entire regions for days. NASA’s newest Earth-observing satellite, called PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean […]

https://science.nasa.gov/earth/nasas-pace-to-investigate-oceans-atmospheres-in-changing-climate/ Save to Pocket

Albany’s Afghan Americans Help Afghan Refugees Resettle

date: 2024-01-11, from: VOA News USA

Albany, New York — A group of Afghan Americans in Albany, New York, have opened a community center to help resettle newly arrived Afghans in the United States. 

The Afghans, who fled their country after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, received help navigating the U.S. immigration system and starting a new life in the United States.  

“[When] the [Afghan] government collapsed and more Afghans came to the U.S., the [U.S.] government could not handle [the cases], so we considered it necessary to support them,” Yousaf Sherzad, vice president of the Afghan American Community Center, told VOA. “We rented this office to help the newly arrived Afghans begin their new life here [in the U.S.].” 

The center, which mostly serves families and single men, was launched in 2021, the same year the United States and its allies left Afghanistan, evacuating some 130,000 people from Kabul in the chaotic last weeks of August.  

Through Operation Allies Welcome, about 88,500 Afghan nationals arrived in the U.S. and resettled in communities across the country. Operation Allies Welcome was a program that coordinated efforts to resettle vulnerable Afghans.  

But those left behind are still making their way to the U.S., and there are limited immigration paths available for those hoping to come to the United States.

One way is to apply for a visa, but that requires them to travel to a U.S. embassy for an interview. The closest U.S. embassies to Afghanistan are in Qatar, Pakistan, or the United Arab Emirates. 

Another way is to apply for humanitarian parole on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website, but that is a lengthy process. And although it approves only a few hundred people annually, it does lead to permanent U.S. residency.  

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services receives fewer than 2,000 requests for humanitarian parole overall from all nationalities over the course of a typical year. Of those requests, approximately 500 to 700 are approved. 

Since July 1, 2021, the USCIS has received more than 50,420 requests for humanitarian parole for Afghan nationals, of which they have denied about 11,020.  

“USCIS has conditionally approved humanitarian parole for approximately 480 Afghan nationals outside the U.S.,” a Biden official wrote to VOA in an email on last August.  

A third option for Afghans is to travel to the U.S.-Mexico border and request asylum protection. The center also helps those who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without authorization and ended up in Albany.  

And that is what newly arrived Afghan, Shakor, who did not want to give his last name for security reasons, decided to do. 

“It has been 15 days since we came from Mexico,” Shakor said. “One of my friends guided me and brought me to the Afghan community.” 

Most people working at the center are volunteers who arrived in the U.S. before August 2021. They went through immigration procedures themselves and want to help refugees and asylum-seekers because of their own experience. 

“Based on what we have learned, listened and experienced, we want to make things easier for them by providing them with addresses, translation and filing their forms,” Sherzad said. 

Volunteers at the center say that every day they see and help three to five Afghans who entered the United States at the U.S.-Mexico border. 

Roshan Noorzai  contributed to this report.

https://www.voanews.com/a/albany-s-afghan-americans-help-afghan-refugees-resettle/7435233.html Save to Pocket

Afghan Americans in New York’s Capital Help Afghan Refugees Resettle

date: 2024-01-11, from: VOA News USA

In 2021, a group of Afghan Americans in Albany, New York opened a community center to help resettle newly arrived Afghans in the United States. Zafar Bamyani recently visited the site to see how their efforts are working, with Roshan Noorzi contributing. Aline Barros narrates the story.

https://www.voanews.com/a/afghan-americans-in-new-york-s-capital-help-afghan-refugees-resettle-/7435984.html Save to Pocket

Brr, It’s Cold in Here! NASA’s Cryo Efforts Beyond the Atmosphere

date: 2024-01-11, from: NASA breaking news

Establishing sustained operations at the Moon and Mars presents a multitude of opportunities and challenges NASA has yet to encounter. Many of these activities require new technologies and processes to ensure the agency is prepared for its ambitious Artemis missions and those beyond. One of those challenges is working with cryogenic fluids, meaning fluids existing […]

https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/glenn/brr-its-cold-in-here-nasas-cryo-efforts-beyond-the-atmosphere/ Save to Pocket

NASA Sets Coverage for Axiom Mission 3 Briefing, Events, Broadcast

date: 2024-01-11, from: NASA breaking news

NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX will provide coverage of the upcoming prelaunch and launch activities for the third private astronaut mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff of Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) is scheduled for 5:11 p.m. EST Wednesday, Jan. 17, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will […]

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-sets-coverage-for-axiom-mission-3-briefing-events-broadcast/ Save to Pocket

@Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed (date: 2024-01-11, from: Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed)

Almost there!

https://mastodon.social/@Migueldeicaza/111738562765952674 Save to Pocket

NASA Astronaut, Congresswoman Discuss STEM Careers with Students

date: 2024-01-11, from: NASA breaking news

NASA astronaut Nicole Mann and U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren talk with students and families at Youth Alliance, a community organization in Hollister, California, on Jan. 5.  Mann, who was born in another small California community, spoke about her parents’ work as an auto mechanic and a manicurist and her own path to becoming a colonel in the […]

https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/astronauts/nicole-aunapu-mann/nasa-astronaut-congresswoman-discuss-stem-careers-with-students/ Save to Pocket

Ryan Broderick of Garbage Day: It’s time to leave Substack. “If only…

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/0043765-ryan-broderick-of-garbage Save to Pocket

Arm cooking up powerful Cortex-X CPU to beat iPhone performance, says industry watcher

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Plus: Analyst believes Samsung might give up on own cores and use Arm designs instead

Arm has confirmed it is working on a CPU core expected to deliver a jump in performance, thus taking aim at the closing the gap between its own chips and those produced by Apple.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/arm_cooking_up_powerful_cortexx/ Save to Pocket

Evolving Risk Management in the Banking Sector

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Signal

In today’s dynamic and ever-evolving business environment, the banking sector is no exception to the winds of change. One area that has undergone significant transformation in recent years is risk management. Banks, once known for their cautious and conservative approach, are now embracing innovative strategies and technologies like LEI Lookup to adapt to the changing […]

The post Evolving Risk Management in the Banking Sector  appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/evolving-risk-management-in-the-banking-sector/ Save to Pocket

Asus ExpertCenter PN65 is a Meteor Lake mini PC with 2.5 GbE Ethernet, quad display support and tool-free upgradeability

date: 2024-01-11, from: Liliputing

Asus may have acquired Intel’s NUC business and unveiled three new NUC-branded mini PCs at CES this week, including the first ROG NUC gaming PC. But Asus has been making its own mini PCs for years, and it looks like the company is still planning to release at least some models under the old branding. […]

The post Asus ExpertCenter PN65 is a Meteor Lake mini PC with 2.5 GbE Ethernet, quad display support and tool-free upgradeability appeared first on Liliputing.

https://liliputing.com/asus-expertcenter-pn65-is-a-meteor-lake-mini-pc-with-2-5-gbe-ethernet-quad-display-support-and-tool-free-upgradeability/ Save to Pocket

@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-01-11, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)

People want to be part of something outside of themselves.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/01/11/trump-dishonesty-presidential-election/ Save to Pocket

COC’s Community Engagement Earns National Recognition

date: 2024-01-11, from: SCV New (TV Station)

College of the Canyons is the only California community college to receive the 2024 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, an elective designation that indicates institutional commitment to community engagement awarded by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

https://scvnews.com/cocs-community-engagement-earns-national-recognition/ Save to Pocket

Which rights do AI and journalists have in common?

date: 2024-01-11, from: Nieman Journalism Lab

I have been a journalist for fifty years and a journalism professor for the last eighteen. I. History I would like to begin with three lessons on the history of news and copyright, which I learned researching my book, The Gutenberg Parenthesis: The Age of Print and its Lessons for the Age of the Internet…

https://www.niemanlab.org/2024/01/which-rights-do-ai-and-journalists-have-in-common/ Save to Pocket

Anil Dash: “The NYT is now just Facebook. The platform dictates narrative…

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/0043764-anil-dash-the-nyt-is Save to Pocket

Pluralistic: The REAL AI automation threat to workers (11 Jan 2024)

date: 2024-01-11, from: Cory Doctorow’s blog

Today’s links The real AI automation threat to workers: The robot can’t replace you, but it CAN replace your shitty boss. Hey look at this: Delights to delectate. This day in history: 2009, 2014, 2019, 2023 Colophon: Recent publications, upcoming/recent appearances, current writing projects, current reading The real AI automation threat to workers (permalink) Long before the current wave of AI hype, we were being groomed for automation panics with misleading stories. Remember this one? “‘Truck driver’ is the most common job in America. Self-driving trucks are just around the corner. How can we prevent America’s army of truckers from turning into a howling mob when the robots steal their jobs?” https://futurism.com/millions-of-jobs-are-at-risk-but-their-loss-could-be-for-the-greater-good It was absolute nonsense. First of all, “truck driver” isn’t a particularly common job in America! The BLS lumps together all cargo vehicle drivers under a single classification. The category error here was thinking that every delivery van driver, furniture mover, and courier is behind the wheel of a big rig, cracking wise on a CB radio as they tear up the interstate. But what about automation threats? It’s possible that if we redesigned the interstates to give 18 wheelers their own separated lanes, and then set them to following one another, that they could traverse long distances in that way. Congratulations, you’ve just invented a shitty, failure-prone train. “Shitty train AI” does not threaten the job of the vast number of people the BLS classifies as “truck drivers.” For one thing, “shitty train AI” isn’t going to pilot a UPS van around the streets of a busy city with other road users. Sure, a few robotaxi companies have bamboozled city governments into conscripting the city’s residents into an uncontrolled murderbot experiment. These are not going well: https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/9-key-leaders-depart-gms-cruise-amid-ongoing-investigation-into-san-francisco-incident/ More than $100b has been set on fire chasing the robotaxi dream, and the result is most charitably described as a technological curiosity, requiring 1.5 high-waged remote technicians to replace each low-waged driver: https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/09/herbies-revenge/#100-billion-here-100-billion-there-pretty-soon-youre-talking-real-money But even if we could perfect this technology, robots still wouldn’t replace all those “truckers” who drive delivery vans (to say nothing of moving vans!). The hard part of driving a UPS van isn’t just getting it from place to place – it’s getting the parcel into the place. The robo-van would still need at least one person to get the parcel from the back of the van and into the reception desk, porch, or other delivery zone. It’s not going to fire those parcels at your door with a catapult. It’s also not going to deliver them by drones. Drone delivery is another one of those historical curiosities, capable of delivering a very narrow range of parcels, under even narrower circumstances: https://pluralistic.net/2021/08/05/comprehensive-sex-ed/#droned If all UPS delivered was lightweight, non-fragile rectangular parcels ordered by people with large, unobstructed back yards, then sure. Congrats, you’ve just created the world’s least-useful parcel delivery service! https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/06/amazon-drone-delivery-service-seeks-faa-approval-to-launch-in-2022/ All that said, the big rig drivers probably don’t need to worry about robots stealing their jobs. It’s not even clear that “shitty train” is within our technological grasp, but even if it is, there’s yet another problem with the AI automation trucker jobpocalypse: “trucker” is already one of the worst jobs in America: https://www.usatoday.com/pages/interactives/news/rigged-forced-into-debt-worked-past-exhaustion-left-with-nothing/ It’s hard to overstate just how fucking terrible it is to be a trucker. Truckers are trapped in abusive debt holes by their employers – who misclassify their workforce as “contractors” in a bid to sidestep labor law. Shriven of any labor rights, truckers are forced into the most ghastly, body-destroying, family-wrcking, financially precarious existence imaginable. You can drive a truck for years, give almost all of the money you earn back to your employer (who denies that you’re their employee) to pay back the usurious loan for your truck. Then, your employer can underschedule for shifts so that you miss a loan payment, and they can repo your truck and keep the six-figure repayment you’ve already made to them, leaving you destitute. They can force you to work for hours – days! – without pay while you wait for loading and dispatch. They can make you drive long past the point of safety, then, if (when) you get into a wreck, they can fine you for not taking the mandated rest breaks. Now, these drivers aren’t about to be replaced by AI – but that doesn’t mean that AI won’t affect their jobs. Commercial drivers are among the most heavily surveilled workers in the country. Amazon’s drivers (whom Amazon misclassifies as subcontractors) have their eyeballs monitored by AI; https://pluralistic.net/2022/04/17/revenge-of-the-chickenized-reverse-centaurs/ AIs monitor the voices of the (primarily Black, primarily female) workforce at Arise – homeworkers who field customer service calls for blue-chip companies like Carnival Cruises and Disney. They’re listening for unruly children or pets in the background, and workers who fail to muffle these dependents lose the contracts they have to pay to train for: https://pluralistic.net/2021/01/22/paperback-writer/#toothless And AI monitors the conduct of workers on temp-work apps. If a worker is dispatched to a struck workplace and refuses to cross the picket-line, the AI boss fires you and blacklists you from future jobs for refusing to robo-scab: https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/30/computer-says-scab/#instawork Writing in The Guardian, Steven Greenhouse describes the AI-enabled workplace, where precarious, often misclassified workers are monitored, judged, and fined by algorithms: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/jan/07/artificial-intelligence-surveillance-workers Whether it’s the robot that gets you disciplined for sending an email with the word “union” in it or the robot that takes money out of your paycheck if you take a bathroom break, AI has come for the workplace with a vengeance. Here’s a supreme irony: nearly all of the beneficial applications for AI require that AI be used to help workers, not replace them, which is absolutely not how AI is used in the workplace. An AI that helps radiologists by giving them a second opinion might help them find tumors on x-rays, but that’s a tool that reduces the number of scans a radiologist processes in a shift, by making them go back and reconsider the scans they’ve already processed: https://locusmag.com/2023/12/commentary-cory-doctorow-what-kind-of-bubble-is-ai/ But AI’s sales pitch is not “Buy an AI tool and increase your costs while increasing your accuracy.” The pitch for AI is “buy and AI and save money by firing workers.” Given how bad AIs are at replacing humans, this is a bad deal all around, both for the worker who loses their job and the customer who gets the substandard product the AI makes. There is a very limited slice of applications where an AI could make a lot of money for a company that deploys it, without costing that company anything when the AI screws up. For example, AI is a really good tool for fraud! Rather than paying people to churn out millions of variations on a phishing email, you can get an AI to do it. If the AI writes a bad phishing email, it’s OK, since nearly all recipients of even good phishing emails delete them. What’s more, no one will fine you or publish an op-ed demanding that your board of directors fire you if you buy an incompetent AI to commit fraud. Fraud is a high-value, low-consequence environment for using AI. Another one of those applications is managing precarious workers who don’t have labor rights. If the AI unfairly docks your worker’s wages, or forces them to work until they injure themselves or others, or decides that their eyeball movements justify firing them, those workers have no recourse. That’s the whole point of pretending that your employees are contractors: so you can violate labor law with impunity! But that’s not the ironic part. The ironic part is that “being a shitty boss” is the one AI application that companies are willing to increase their net spending on. No one buys an eyeball-monitoring AI so they can fire a manager. This is the one place where AI is there to augment, rather than replace, an employee. This makes AI-based bossware subtly different from other forms of Taylorism, the “scientific management” fad of the early 20th century that saw management consultants choreographing the postures and movements of workers to satisfy the aesthetic fetishes of their employers: https://pluralistic.net/2021/02/24/gwb-rumsfeld-monsters/#bossware The pseudoscientific cod-ergonomics of the 1900s was demeaning and even dangerous, but it wasn’t automated, and if it increased worker output, this was incidental to the real purpose of making workers move like the machine-cogs their bosses reassured themselves they were: https://pluralistic.net/2022/08/21/great-taylors-ghost/#solidarity-or-bust Every AI panic is a way of deflecting attention from the real, grimy, here-and-now ways that AI is destroying our lives by demanding that we entertain nonsensical science fiction claims about large, shiny existential risks that AI might present in the future. The “X-risk” of the spicy autocomplete chatbot waking up and using its newfound sentience to turn us all into paperclips is nonsense. Adding words to the plausible sentence generator doesn’t turn it into a superintelligence for the same reason that selectively breeding faster horses leads to locomotives: https://locusmag.com/2020/07/cory-doctorow-full-employment/ But there is a way that AI could destroy the human race! The carbon footprint and water consumption associated with training and operating large-scale models are significant contributors to the climate emergency, which threatens the habitability of the only planet in the known universe capable of sustaining human life: https://www.forbes.com/sites/federicoguerrini/2023/04/14/ais-unsustainable-water-use-how-tech-giants-contribute-to-global-water-shortages/ Likewise, AI isn’t going to replace you at work. But it’s already augmenting your shitty boss’s ability to rip you off, torment you, maim you and even kill you in order to eke out a few more basis points for the next shareholder report. Science fiction is a fun and useful way to tell parables about our current technologies. But it’s not a roadmap for the future. The fact that sf writers like me found AIs as useful measures to describe Earth’s dominant artificial life form – the limited liability corporation – doesn’t mean that superhuman AIs should – or can – be created. (Image: Cryteria, CC BY 3.0, modified) Hey look at this (permalink) The Obscure Google Deal That Defines America’s Broken Privacy Protections https://www.wired.com/story/google-consent-decree-ftc-broken-privacy-protections/ Beeper – Moving Forward https://blog.beeper.com/p/beeper-moving-forward Donald Knuth’s 2023 Christmas Lecture: Making the Cells Dance https://thenewstack.io/donald-knuths-2023-christmas-lecture-make-the-cells-dance/ (h/t Destinyland) This day in history (permalink) #15yrsago Pneumatic tube-based postal systems of the late 19th century https://web.archive.org/web/20081229162245/http://www.activesocialplastic.com/2008/12/postal_services_and_pneumatic.html #15yrsago Another London photographer arrested for “terrorism” (i.e. “taking a picture of a public building”) https://arbroath.blogspot.com/2009/01/photographers-criminalised-as-police.html #10yrsago Trans-Pacific Partnership: how the US Trade Rep is hoping to gut Congress with absurd lies https://www.techdirt.com/2014/01/10/lies-ustr-is-spreading-about-fast-track-authority-to-push-tpp-through-congress/ #10yrsago Baybrook Remodelers sue (and sue and sue) people who give them negative reviews https://www.techdirt.com/2014/01/08/remodeler-sues-woman-over-negative-reviews-helps-force-another-critic-out-her-own-home/ #10yrsago Chronology of Canadian Tories’ war on science libraries https://scienceblogs.com/confessions/2014/01/10/the-canadian-war-on-science-a-chronological-account-of-chaos-consolidation-at-the-department-of-fisheries-oceans-libraries #5yrsago Vizio exec: we’d have to charge a premium on “dumb” TVs to make up for the money we’ll lose by not spying on you https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/7/18172397/airplay-2-homekit-vizio-tv-bill-baxter-interview-vergecast-ces-2019 #5yrsago Big Data’s “theory-free” analysis is a statistical malpractice https://www.wired.com/story/the-exaggerated-promise-of-data-mining/ #5yrsago Court strikes down Iowa’s unconstitutional ag-gag law https://shadowproof.com/2019/01/10/iowa-ag-gag-law-aimed-at-suppressing-journalism-against-agribusiness-is-ruled-unconstitutional/ #5yrsago McGingerbread Hell: bakers celebrate McMansion Hell with delicious monster houses https://mcmansionhell.com/post/181789811736/2018-mcgingerbread-hell-competition-winners #5yrsago Bird Scooter tried to censor my Boing Boing post with a legal threat that’s so stupid, it’s a whole new kind of wrong https://memex.craphound.com/2019/01/11/bird-scooter-tried-to-censor-my-boing-boing-post-with-a-legal-threat-thats-so-stupid-its-a-whole-new-kind-of-wrong/ #1yrago Deena Mohamed’s ‘Shubiek Lubiek’ https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/11/your-wish/#is-my-command Colophon (permalink) Today’s top sources: Currently writing: A Little Brother short story about DIY insulin PLANNING Picks and Shovels, a Martin Hench noir thriller about the heroic era of the PC. FORTHCOMING TOR BOOKS JAN 2025 The Bezzle, a Martin Hench noir thriller novel about the prison-tech industry. FORTHCOMING TOR BOOKS FEB 2024 Vigilant, Little Brother short story about remote invigilation. FORTHCOMING ON TOR.COM Spill, a Little Brother short story about pipeline protests. FORTHCOMING ON TOR.COM Latest podcast: The Internet’s Original Sin https://craphound.com/news/2023/12/17/the-internets-original-sin/) Upcoming appearances: Speculating Our AI Future with Cory Doctorow, Ken Liu, and Martha Wells https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ssyUYErCTB-rzEz_Vhc7cw#/registration Internet Con (Peculiar Book Club), Jan 11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5UvzuJ1R4I Books & Books (Coral Gables, Florida), Jan 22 https://www.booksandbooks.com/event/in-person-an-evening-with-cory-doctorow/ Marshall McLuhan Lecture 2024 (Berlin), Jan 29 https://transmediale.de/en/2024/event/mcluhan-2024 The Lost Cause at Otherland (Berlin), Jan 30 https://www.otherland-berlin.de/de/event-details/autor-innenabend-mit-cory-doctorow.html Recent appearances: What the Future will Bring (Homeless Romantic) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_Vq8qW2A8I Talking “The Lost Cause” with Warren Mosler (MMT Podcast) https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-182-cory-95211955 Words of the Week https://youtu.be/mq0kSdzSjfc?si=zFMDsrXpHVqNGcb8&t=5232 Latest books: “The Lost Cause:” a solarpunk novel of hope in the climate emergency, Tor Books (US), Head of Zeus (UK), November 2023 (http://lost-cause.org). Signed, personalized copies at Dark Delicacies (https://www.darkdel.com/store/p3007/Pre-Order_Signed_Copies%3A_The_Lost_Cause_HB.html#/) “The Internet Con”: A nonfiction book about interoperability and Big Tech (Verso) September 2023 (http://seizethemeansofcomputation.org). Signed copies at Book Soup (https://www.booksoup.com/book/9781804291245). “Red Team Blues”: “A grabby, compulsive thriller that will leave you knowing more about how the world works than you did before.” Tor Books http://redteamblues.com. Signed copies at Dark Delicacies (US): and Forbidden Planet (UK): https://forbiddenplanet.com/385004-red-team-blues-signed-edition-hardcover/. “Chokepoint Capitalism: How to Beat Big Tech, Tame Big Content, and Get Artists Paid, with Rebecca Giblin”, on how to unrig the markets for creative labor, Beacon Press/Scribe 2022 https://chokepointcapitalism.com “Attack Surface”: The third Little Brother novel, a standalone technothriller for adults. The Washington Post called it “a political cyberthriller, vigorous, bold and savvy about the limits of revolution and resistance.” Order signed, personalized copies from Dark Delicacies https://www.darkdel.com/store/p1840/Available_Now%3A_Attack_Surface.html “How to Destroy Surveillance Capitalism”: an anti-monopoly pamphlet analyzing the true harms of surveillance capitalism and proposing a solution. https://onezero.medium.com/how-to-destroy-surveillance-capitalism-8135e6744d59?sk=f6cd10e54e20a07d4c6d0f3ac011af6b) (signed copies: https://www.darkdel.com/store/p2024/Available_Now%3A__How_to_Destroy_Surveillance_Capitalism.html) “Little Brother/Homeland”: A reissue omnibus edition with a new introduction by Edward Snowden: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250774583; personalized/signed copies here: https://www.darkdel.com/store/p1750/July%3A__Little_Brother_%26_Homeland.html “Poesy the Monster Slayer” a picture book about monsters, bedtime, gender, and kicking ass. Order here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781626723627. Get a personalized, signed copy here: https://www.darkdel.com/store/p2682/Corey_Doctorow%3A_Poesy_the_Monster_Slayer_HB.html#/. Upcoming books: The Bezzle: a sequel to “Red Team Blues,” about prison-tech and other grifts, Tor Books, February 2024 Picks and Shovels: a sequel to “Red Team Blues,” about the heroic era of the PC, Tor Books, February 2025 Unauthorized Bread: a graphic novel adapted from my novella about refugees, toasters and DRM, FirstSecond, 2025 This work – excluding any serialized fiction – is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. That means you can use it any way you like, including commercially, provided that you attribute it to me, Cory Doctorow, and include a link to pluralistic.net. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Quotations and images are not included in this license; they are included either under a limitation or exception to copyright, or on the basis of a separate license. Please exercise caution. How to get Pluralistic: Blog (no ads, tracking, or data-collection): Pluralistic.net Newsletter (no ads, tracking, or data-collection): https://pluralistic.net/plura-list Mastodon (no ads, tracking, or data-collection): https://mamot.fr/@pluralistic Medium (no ads, paywalled): https://doctorow.medium.com/ Twitter (mass-scale, unrestricted, third-party surveillance and advertising): https://twitter.com/doctorow Tumblr (mass-scale, unrestricted, third-party surveillance and advertising): https://mostlysignssomeportents.tumblr.com/tagged/pluralistic “When life gives you SARS, you make sarsaparilla” -Joey “Accordion Guy” DeVilla

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/11/robots-stole-my-jerb/ Save to Pocket

June 8: Inaugural Santa Clarita Valley Book Festival

date: 2024-01-11, from: SCV New (TV Station)

The inaugural Santa Clarita Valley Book Festival is set to make its debut on June 8, at College of the Canyons, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m

https://scvnews.com/june-8-inaugural-santa-clarita-valley-book-festival/ Save to Pocket

Mandiant’s brute-forced X account exposes perils of skimping on 2FA

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Speculation builds over whether a nearly year-old policy change was to blame

Google-owned security house Mandiant’s investigation into how its X account was taken over to push cryptocurrency scams concludes the “likely” cause was a successful brute-force password attack.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/mandiant_x_account_brute_forced/ Save to Pocket

First NASA Mars Analog Crew Passes Mission Halfway Mark

date: 2024-01-11, from: NASA breaking news

The first crew to take part in a yearlong NASA Mars analog mission reached the 200 day mark of its mission Jan. 11. The four person analog crew, entered the CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) habitat at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on June 25, 2023, and is scheduled to complete its […]

https://www.nasa.gov/missions/analog-field-testing/chapea/first-nasa-mars-analog-crew-passes-mission-halfway-mark/ Save to Pocket

Tips for Secretly Browsing Instagram Stories Anonymously

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Signal

Take a sneak peek at the stealthy Instagram story viewer by InstaNavigation. Learn tips for secret browsing, ethical practices, potential risks, and alternative strategies for anonymously enjoying IG Stories.  The Art of Anonymous IG Story Viewing  Mastering the art of anonymous IG story viewing involves understanding tips and tricks for secret browsing. This section explores […]

The post Tips for Secretly Browsing Instagram Stories Anonymously  appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/tips-for-secretly-browsing-instagram-stories-anonymously/ Save to Pocket

Garth Brooks’ New, Bass Pro Shops-Exclusive CD: The 404 Media Review

date: 2024-01-11, from: 404 Media Group

With ‘Time Traveler,’ Garth Brooks created the most memorable album in recent memory by making me go to a Bass Pro Shop.

https://www.404media.co/garth-brooks-new-bass-pro-shops-exclusive-cd-the-404-media-review/ Save to Pocket

Acton Agua Dulce Arts Council hosts ‘Winner’s Circle’ show

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Signal

News release   The Acton Agua Dulce Arts Council is hosting a Winner’s Circle Art Show at the Acton Agua Dulce Public Library now through Feb. 25. Artists who placed first, second, or third at the recent Adult Fine Art Show held in November were invited to display a selection of their artwork.   The gallery, in […]

The post Acton Agua Dulce Arts Council hosts ‘Winner’s Circle’ show appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/acton-agua-dulce-arts-council-hosts-winners-circle-show/ Save to Pocket

MDX with Web Components Part II

date: 2024-01-11, from: Dave Rupert blog

In a recent post I covered how to get MDX-style posts with web components and people come to me every day, tears in their eyes, and ask me to go into more detail.

Seriously, tho it’s just regular markdown…

blah blah blah

<script type="module" src="path/to/my-cool-component.js"></script>
<my-cool-component></my-cool-component>

blah blah blah

And it’ll pretty much work.

https://daverupert.com/2024/01/mdx-with-web-components-part-ii/ Save to Pocket

OpenAI rolls out Team tier because not everyone has enterprise-deep pockets

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Benefits include no snacking on your sensitive data

OpenAI is updating its subscription plans to add a “Team” tier for businesses to sit below its existing Enterprise level.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/openai_adds_team_tier/ Save to Pocket

AYA Neo Next Lite is a cheap(er) handheld gaming PC that ships with Linux (Updated)

date: 2024-01-11, from: Liliputing

Over the past few years handheld gaming PC maker AYA has largely been focused on the premium end of the market. But the company is positioning its next device as a “budget friendly choice.” The AYA Neo NEXT Lite features a 7 inch, 1280 x 800 pixel display rather than a 1080p or higher resolution screen. […]

The post AYA Neo Next Lite is a cheap(er) handheld gaming PC that ships with Linux (Updated) appeared first on Liliputing.

https://liliputing.com/aya-neo-next-lite-is-a-cheaper-handheld-gaming-pc-that-ships-with-steamos/ Save to Pocket

California Students to Hear from NASA Astronauts Aboard Space Station

date: 2024-01-11, from: NASA breaking news

Students from Emblem Academy in Santa Clarita, California, will have an opportunity to hear from NASA astronauts living and working aboard the International Space Station.   The Earth-to-space call will stream live at 11:35 a.m. EST Tuesday, Jan. 16, on NASA+, NASA Television, and the agency’s website. Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms […]

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/california-students-to-hear-from-nasa-astronauts-aboard-space-station-3/ Save to Pocket

Cutting through the noise of today’s inflation report

date: 2024-01-11, from: Marketplace Morning Report

Overall inflation ticked up to 3.4% year over year in December, which is higher than November’s inflation rate. But, if you take out food and energy prices (which are notoriously volatile), inflation actually slowed down slightly. We look at how to slice today’s inflation report. Then, wage growth has been slowing, an IRS watchdog report shows mixed grades, and the SEC approves a bitcoin ETF.

https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-morning-report/cutting-through-the-noise-of-todays-inflation-report Save to Pocket

AI Robot Bests Marble Maze Game

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/ai-robot-bests-marble-maze-game Save to Pocket

Legal Sauce for the Legal Goose

date: 2024-01-11, from: Ayjay blog

From an an interview with Jill Lepore: I’m working on a long book about the history of attempts to amend the Constitution. And on the one hand, we have a Constitution that has a provision that allows for generativity and invention and adjustment and improvement and alteration and remedy and making amends, and all of […]

https://blog.ayjay.org/sauce-goose-gander-2/ Save to Pocket

NASA’s Fermi Detects Surprise Gamma-Ray Feature Beyond Our Galaxy

date: 2024-01-11, from: NASA breaking news

Astronomers analyzing 13 years of data from NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope have found an unexpected and as yet unexplained feature outside of our galaxy. “It is a completely serendipitous discovery,” said Alexander Kashlinsky, a cosmologist at the University of Maryland and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, who presented the research at the […]

https://science.nasa.gov/missions/fermi/nasas-fermi-detects-surprise-gamma-ray-feature-beyond-our-galaxy/ Save to Pocket

NASA Scientists Discover a Novel Galactic ‘Fossil’

date: 2024-01-11, from: NASA breaking news

Researchers at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, have discovered X-ray activity that sheds light on the evolution of galaxies. The X-rays outline giant clouds of cold gas in the nearby spiral galaxy NGC 4945. The gas appears to have blasted through the galaxy after its central supermassive black hole erupted some 5 […]

https://science.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/goddard/nasa-scientists-discover-a-novel-galactic-fossil/ Save to Pocket

The Year’s Biggest Gadget Conference Is All About Electric Cars Now

date: 2024-01-11, from: Heatmap News

The consumer electronics show in Las Vegas formally known as CES has evolved beyond a showcase for ever-larger screens, laptops, and niche gadgets looking to make it into big box retailers. CES is now, among other things, a full-fledged auto show, with the world’s largest automakers announcing ambitious products alongside — and sometimes in partnership with — their tech counterparts.

In recent years, new electric concepts from Chevrolet, BMW, and Ram have each captured attention. This year, it was Honda’s turn to make a splash.

After two decades of dipping its toes into the electric vehicle market, the Japanese carmaker announced the new 0 Series (as in zero emissions) with two concepts that show what Honda wants to bring to the U.S. market in 2026.

The flagship Saloon sedan’s sleek, swept-back design is a material manifestation of what Honda calls its man maximum/machine minimum packaging concept (in case you’re looking for an acronym, it’s M/M*1), which boils down to making the car’s footprint as small as possible while still keeping passengers comfortable. On the other end of the svelte-practical spectrum is the Space-Hub, which applies the venerable minivan concept in an EV format with extra space and seating that swivels to create a rolling lounge.

Honda was also at CES in partnership with Sony, which showed the latest iteration of its Afeela prototype, the electronics company’s first foray into the automotive world. Sony’s Playstation division clearly got its hands on the concept, which means augmented reality displays built on the game development platform Unreal Engine that feature eye-popping 3D graphics. If you want, you can have a monster magically appear on the roadway as you’re driving. You can also visualize yourself driving underwater. On stage at least, the car could be steered with a Playstation controller.

Kia was back in Las Vegas to announce its hyper-modular, commercial-focused Platform Beyond Vehicle strategy. Showing five models in three sizes all based on the platform, the new lineup will begin with the PV5 and focus on delivery, ride-hailing, and smaller commercial work (think your local electrician) thanks to its Lego-like “life modules” and powertrains.

This being 2024, AI is everywhere at CES, even in car world, with Volkswagen incorporating ChatGPT into its Ida voice assistant, Mercedes updating its MBUX Virtual Assistant with a new “empathetic” AI, and Intel designing a new family of AI-infused systems-on-chips to monitor drivers and passengers in an autonomous future.

While most CES concepts aren’t headed for roads anytime soon, one thing you might be able to buy is the latest offering from Vietnamese EV maker VinFast. While its U.S. launch is off to a rocky start, the ultra-compact VF3 might be cute enough to keep the critics at bay, with its bulldog stance and incredibly diminutive size. Measuring in at just a little under 10.5 feet, the VF3 is nearly two feet shorter than the new Fiat 500E or about the same size as a Smart car. Coupled with its off-roader looks and a claimed 125-mile range, the VF3 could be the smallest, affordable, and most adorable EVs for sale in the U.S.

https://heatmap.news/sparks/ces-2024-honda-sony-kia-vw Save to Pocket

The Curious About Everything Newsletter #34

date: 2024-01-11, from: Curious about everything blog

The many interesting things I read in December 2023.

https://jodiettenberg.substack.com/p/thirty-four Save to Pocket

Chinese company’s rocket debut makes waves by launching from the sea

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Real-life Kerbal Space Program?

A Chinese startup has launched its first rocket from a sea-based platform, sending three satellites into orbit.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/china_solid_fuelled_rocket_sea/ Save to Pocket

King Tides Are Heading To Southern California’s Coast

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The LAist

The California Coastal Commission wants you to document them.

https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/king-tides-are-heading-to-southern-californias-coast Save to Pocket

Hackers Break into AI Hiring Chatbot, Could Hire and Reject Fast Food Applicants

date: 2024-01-11, from: 404 Media Group

Chat logs sent to 404 Media show the chatbot automatically denying at least one applicant on certain criteria.

https://www.404media.co/hackers-break-into-hiring-ai-chat-bot-chattr/ Save to Pocket

@Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed (date: 2024-01-11, from: Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed)

Can't get enough of this cute animation:

https://mastodon.social/@Migueldeicaza/111738130167042209 Save to Pocket

Langlaufen im Goms

date: 2024-01-11, from: Alex Schroeder’s Blog

Langlaufen im Goms

Es ist wieder mal soweit…

https://alexschroeder.ch/view/2024-01-10-langlaufen Save to Pocket

Elon Musk made 1 in 3 Trust and Safety staff ex-X employees, it emerges

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Oz online safety czar receives evidence of cull despite platform reinstating hundreds of banned accounts

Twitter, the social media service now calling itself X, executed a 30 percent reduction in its Trust and Safety staff globally after Elon Musk’s acquisition in October 2022.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/elon_musk_twitter_safety_cull/ Save to Pocket

Ecosia

date: 2024-01-11, from: Dave Rupert blog

Last year I switched my default search engine twice. First from Bing to Duck Duck Go. It felt different but during my Bing de-listing fiasco I learned that Duck Duck Go and lots of other smaller search engines use the Bing Index. One of the more interesting engines I learned about was Ecosia, a green search engine that I switched to a couple months ago.

Ecosia’s twist on the search engine game is that for every ~50 searches you do, they plant 1 tree. They serve you ads and that revenue pays for trees. It seems gimmicky or unbelievable, but Ecosia posts all their financials are on their website. I find that to be a refreshing amount of transparency from a search engine. According to the website, in October they financed the planting of ~2.5 million trees in 12 different countries. That’s admirable.

Getting rewarded by a search engine for searching isn’t new to me. I switched to Bing in 2015 as part of #davegoeswindows and one neat side effect was that I got “Bing Bucks” for my searches which I could convert into gift cards to use at real stores; paid to play. For years I ran a grift of converting Bing Bucks into Robux for the kids. Now I’m doing that same grift, but for trees for my children’s future. In a couple months since switching I’ve funded 20 trees which feels nice.

How big of a difference can a “green” search engine make? Good question and I spent a dumb amount of time looking into this. Based on some research Ecosia calculates that one search offsets 50kg of CO₂.

“The tree planting that we’re doing, with each search, you’re actually removing around 50 kilograms of CO₂.” Source: PCMag

Is 50kg a lot? It sounds like a lot, but I need that in terms I understand. This summer I learned that a gallon of gas weighs 6.3lbs (2.8kg) yet produces 20lbs (9kg) of CO₂. Gas is a form of carbon emissions I understand, so let’s use that as a baseline.

If my math is correct and every search removes 50kg of CO₂… that’s equal to offsetting 5.5 gallons of gas… or about one jerrycan.

According to FuelEconomy.gov, the average non-hybrid/non-electric SUV in 2024 gets an average of ~20.6 MPG¹. One search then offsets ~113 miles of driving in an SUV². Making that specific to my life, it takes three searches to offset a tank of gas in my Volvo and seven for my F-150. Those numbers are good enough to make me a bit skeptical.

Planting trees isn’t a climate silver bullet³. Trees take years to grow and a gallon of gas burns in less than an hour. Trees will struggle to grow in hotter climates as well. There’s no replacement for carbon reduction…but —as we say in Texas— it’s not nothing? Tree planting is potentially a 220 gigaton opportunity and currently the only viable form of carbon capture and storage.

I looked into how much planting a tree costs and the prices vary from $1 to $3 dollars. The Arbor Day Foundation costs $1/tree, The Nature Conservancy and Trees, Water, People both cost ~$2/tree. And Ecosia’s own Ecosia Tree Store comes in at the highest at $3/tree. That means by searching I’ve planted anywhere from $20-$60 worth of trees. It might be more effective if I donated a lump sum and installed an ad blocker; but Ecosia’s trees are an entirely passive benefit and that makes it sustainable for me. I think about it like putting a solar panel on my air conditioner.

Ecosia’s use of the Bing Index might be a dealbreaker for some, but all that might be changing! Due to a price hike in the Bing Index, Ecosia announced that in certain locales they’re switching to the Google Index. I’ve used Bing’s Index for years so this isn’t a problem for me, but I understand people are picky about their search results. I’d also call out that the entire SEO ecosystem is changing with the advent of AI and the reliability of search results will experience a tectonic shift. Speaking of AI… at the end of that same announcement post, Ecosia says they’re piloting an experimental AI Chat feature.

Ecosia is a feel-good search engine and I love the idea of a benefit-corp style search engine. I want my “behavioral exhaust” (Zubhoff, 2019) to replenish the environment rather than fund the techno-monopoly war chest. Ecosia is a welcome change in my online life. It’s well-designed compared to other search engines and planting 20 trees feels good. If we all pointed our search bars at Ecosia for a while, what kind of difference could we make. Alone, we will never make a dent in the climate but together we stand a chance.

And that’s where I wanted to end this review but…

I wanted this to be a review of a new’ish search engine that I enjoy, but I need to address the LLM in the room. In short, the AI feature seems off-brand for Ecosia –like Captain Planet getting into Bitcoin. At 500ml of water for every 20 prompts or 1.7 billion gallons of water to train GPT, LLMs use a lot of energy and resources. Ecosia claims they are able to offset the carbon costs of LLMs – I’d love to see more data on this – but when every search engine is experimenting in this space, it’d be nice to have an option that’s taking a different path.

https://daverupert.com/2024/01/ecosia/ Save to Pocket

Infoseccers think attackers backed by China are behind Ivanti zero-day exploits

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Customers currently left patchless while attacks are expected to increase

Security experts believe Chinese nation-state attackers are actively exploiting two zero-day vulnerabilities in security products made by Ivanti.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/china_backed_ivanti_exploits/ Save to Pocket

@Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed (date: 2024-01-11, from: Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed)

Last night @marquiskurt suggested this new style of menu, and Jake Sawyer pointed me in the right direction.

Here is what it looks like:

Before and After:

https://mastodon.social/@Migueldeicaza/111737885311753573 Save to Pocket

The Houston Landing’s board is backing CEO Peter Bhatia over his controversial firings

date: 2024-01-11, from: Nieman Journalism Lab

Yesterday, we told you about the tumult at the Houston Landing, where the newsroom’s journalists are protesting Monday’s surprise firing of editor-in-chief Mizanur Rahman and investigative reporter Alex Stuckey. Later on Monday, staffers sent a letter to the Landing’s six-member board decrying CEO Peter Bhatia‘s moves, which he said were necessary for a still-vague “reset”…

https://www.niemanlab.org/2024/01/the-houston-landings-board-is-backing-ceo-peter-bhatia-over-his-controversial-firings/ Save to Pocket

Not even poor Notepad is safe from Microsoft’s AI obsession

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Power user excavates evidence of experimental ‘Cowriter’ feature

Windows Notepad is set to be the next recipient of Microsoft’s AI attentions judging by screenshots posted by a Windows Insider user.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/microsoft_notepad_ai/ Save to Pocket

VOA Exclusive: Blinken to Meet Veteran Chinese Diplomat Liu Before Taiwan Election

date: 2024-01-11, from: VOA News USA

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to meet with veteran Chinese diplomat Liu Jianchao in Washington on Friday, a day before Taiwan’s election, as the United States continues to caution China against using the election as a pretext for instability.

Communication between the world’s two largest economies will continue after Taiwan’s presidential and legislative elections on January 13, as senior officials from the United States and China are slated to attend next week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

On Friday, Blinken will hold talks at the U.S. State Department with Liu, who heads the Chinese Communist Party’s international department responsible for maintaining relations with foreign political parties.

Daniel Kritenbrink, the State Department’s top diplomat on East Asian and Pacific affairs, will join the hourlong meeting, according to people familiar with the planning.

Next week, Blinken and Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend the annual economic meetings at the Swiss mountain resort.

The talks are described as ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication, responsibly manage differences between the two nations and address a host of issues.

These include combating the fentanyl crisis as well as global and regional security concerns. Taiwan will also be among the topics.

Washington has voiced its opposition to “outside interference or malign influence” in Taiwan’s elections.

The winner of Taiwan’s presidential election will be inaugurated on May 20. The transition period in the upcoming months is seen as sensitive in cross-strait relations.

A senior U.S. administration official told reporters late Wednesday that Beijing would be “the provocateur” if it chooses to respond to Taiwan’s election results with additional military pressure or coercion.

“Throughout this election and transition period, we will ensure that channels of communication remain open with Beijing, including diplomatic and the recently reopened military-to-military channels, in keeping with past precedent and our unofficial relationship with Taiwan,” said the U.S. official.

A number of meetings

This week, U.S.-China officials are holding numerous meetings. The U.S. principal deputy national security adviser, Jon Finer, held lengthy talks with Liu on Wednesday.

The White House said the two sides discussed the ongoing implementation of key outcomes from last November’s summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, challenges in the Middle East and Russia’s war against Ukraine. Finer stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas held virtual talks on Wednesday with Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, discussing the combatting of the illicit flow of synthetic drugs.

Science and Technology Agreement

At the State Department, officials from the two countries discussed the extension of the U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement, or STA, which is due to expire next month. Officials will meet again during the week of January 22 to discuss the extension.

Late last August, Washington agreed to extend the agreement with China for six months. The short-term extension comes as several Republican congressional members voice concern that China has previously leveraged the agreement to advance its military objectives and may continue to do so.

At that time, the State Department stated the brief extension would maintain the STA’s validity while the U.S. negotiates with China to amend and strengthen the agreement.

A call for reciprocity

Some former U.S. officials are skeptical about whether frequent talks can fundamentally change Beijing’s behaviors, which are deemed as harming Washington’s national interests. They also advocate for “reciprocity.”

“Every time a People’s Republic of China [PRC] emissary is allowed to address the American people, an American emissary needs to be able to directly address the Chinese people. If the PRC won’t accept this, then we are foolish to keep giving people like Liu direct access,” said David Stilwell, a former assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs.

Liu delivered a speech on Tuesday during an event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations.

Liu is seen as a contender to be China’s next foreign minister, according to some media reports and analysts.

“Liu has taken on a more active diplomatic role and has been performing tasks typically handled by China’s foreign minister,” said Chechuan Lee, a research fellow at the Taipei-based quasi-official Institute for National Defense and Security Research.

https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-exclusive-blinken-to-meet-veteran-chinese-diplomat-liu-before-taiwan-election/7435622.html Save to Pocket

Trump’s New York Civil Fraud Trial Heads to Closing Arguments After Bomb Threat

date: 2024-01-11, from: VOA News USA

New York — Donald Trump ’s New York civil fraud trial is back in session Thursday for closing arguments after authorities responded to a bomb threat at the home of the judge who moved this week to prevent the former president from delivering his own closing statements.

Authorities responded to the threat at Judge Arthur Engoron’s home on Long Island, a court official said. The proceedings are not expected to be delayed as a result.

Trump, the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination, had angled to deliver his own closing remarks in the courtroom, in addition to summations from his legal team, but a judge nixed that unusual plan Wednesday.

That will leave the last words to the lawyers in a trial over allegations that Trump exaggerated his wealth on financial statements he provided to banks, insurance companies and others.

“There was a threat. I can confirm a bomb threat,” said Al Baker, a court spokesperson. “As of now we are going forward as scheduled and the court proceedings and closing arguments are going ahead as planned.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, wants the judge to impose $370 million in penalties. Trump says he did nothing wrong, didn’t lie about his fortune and is the victim of political persecution.

The former president had hoped to make that argument personally, but the judge — initially open to the idea — said no after a Trump lawyer missed a deadline for agreeing to ground rules. Among them, Judge Engoron warned that Trump couldn’t use his closing remarks to “deliver a campaign speech” or use the opportunity to impugn the judge and his staff.

Trump is still expected to be in court as a spectator, despite the death of his mother in-law, Amalija Knavs, and the launch of the presidential primary season Monday with the Iowa caucus.

Since the trial began Oct. 2, Trump has gone to court nine times to observe, testify and complain to TV cameras about the case, which he called a “witch hunt and a disgrace.”

He clashed with Engoron and state lawyers during 3½ hours on the witness stand in November and remains under a limited gag order after making a disparaging and false social media post about the judge’s law clerk.

Thursday’s arguments are part of a busy legal and political stretch for Trump.

On Tuesday, he was in court in Washington, D.C., to watch appeals court arguments over whether he is immune from prosecution on charges that he plotted to overturn the 2020 election — one of four criminal cases against him. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

James sued Trump in 2022 under a state law that gives the state attorney general broad power to investigate allegations of persistent fraud in business dealings.

Engoron decided some of the key issues before testimony began. In a pretrial ruling, he found that Trump had committed years of fraud by lying about his riches on financial statements with tricks like claiming his Trump Tower penthouse was nearly three times its actual size, or valuing his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida at more than $612 million based on the idea that the property could be developed for residential use, when he had signed an agreement surrendering rights to develop it for any uses but a club.

The trial involves six undecided claims, including allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud and falsifying business records.

Trump’s company and two of his sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., are also defendants.

Besides monetary damages, James wants Trump and his co-defendants barred from doing business in New York.

State lawyers say that by making himself seem richer, Trump qualified for better loan terms from banks, saving him at least $168 million.

Trump contends his financial statements actually understated his net worth. He said the outside accountants that helped prepare the statements should’ve flagged any discrepancies and that the documents came with disclaimers that shield him from liability.

Engoron said he is deciding the case because neither side asked for a jury and state law doesn’t allow for juries for this type of lawsuit. He said he hopes to have a decision by the end of the month.

Last month, in a ruling denying a defense bid for an early verdict, the judge signaled he’s inclined to find Trump and his co-defendants liable on at least some claims.

“Valuations, as elucidated ad nauseam in this trial, can be based on different criteria analyzed in different ways,” Engoron wrote in the Dec. 18 ruling. “But a lie is still a lie.”

https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-new-york-civil-fraud-trial-heads-to-closing-arguments-after-bomb-threat/7435627.html Save to Pocket

Google rings in 2024 with sweeping layoffs

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Cuts are a continuation of late-2023 redundancies to help teams better ‘align their resources’

The 2024 layoff season appears to have only begun, with Google cutting hundreds of employees across multiple divisions yesterday. …

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/google_rings_in_2024_with/ Save to Pocket

@Tomosino’s Mastodon feed (date: 2024-01-11, from: Tomosino’s Mastodon feed)

Oh I see. I’m having one of THOSE days, where I’m at the computer and work adjecent, but nothing is gonna get done. Well well well.

https://tilde.zone/@tomasino/111737763252572138 Save to Pocket

@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-01-11, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)

Did Trump try to overturn an election or overthrow the government?

http://scripting.com/2024/01/10/140854.html?overturnAnElection=undefined Save to Pocket

How Republicans Are Trying to Kill One of Biden’s Most Successful Climate Programs

date: 2024-01-11, from: Distilled Earth blog

Republicans are on the hunt for “the next Solyndra.” But what does that mean?

https://www.distilled.earth/p/how-republicans-are-trying-to-kill Save to Pocket

HP’s new Fortis laptops & Chromebooks are compact Alder Lake-N computers for business and education

date: 2024-01-11, from: Liliputing

HP is launching four new budget laptops designed for business and education customers. The new HP Fortis series laptops are all powered by Intel Alder Lake-N processors and feature support for up to 16GB of LPDDR5 memory, WiFi 6E and optional support for 4G LTE in some regions. HP says three new HP Fortis Chromebook models […]

The post HP’s new Fortis laptops & Chromebooks are compact Alder Lake-N computers for business and education appeared first on Liliputing.

https://liliputing.com/hps-new-fortis-laptops-chromebooks-are-compact-alder-lake-n-computers-for-business-and-education/ Save to Pocket

Archaeologists Unearth Ancient Egyptian Tomb and Stunning Trove of Artifacts

date: 2024-01-11, from: Smithsonian Magazine

Excavations at Saqqara revealed burials, colorful masks and statues of the goddess Isis

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-4000-year-old-tomb-in-egypt-contains-funerary-goods-spanning-centuries-180983570/ Save to Pocket

Senator to Waterworks: Homes waiting ‘while we play politics’

date: 2024-01-11, from: Guam Daily Post

Following an inquiry from The Guam Daily Post regarding the $13 million figure cited in a release calling for the Guam Waterworks Authority to connect homes to sewer lines, Sen. Chris Dueñas’ office stated that “new findings” show figures similar…

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/senator-to-waterworks-homes-waiting-while-we-play-politics/article_e6d52860-b01f-11ee-a522-9feea8562217.html Save to Pocket

GDOL: Prepare for enforcement of Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

date: 2024-01-11, from: Guam Daily Post

The Guam Department of Labor is reminding employers of an antidiscrimination law regarding employees who are pregnant or have given birth, and has announced that it is preparing to enforce the law once rules and regulations regarding compliance and violations…

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/gdol-prepare-for-enforcement-of-pregnant-workers-fairness-act/article_02da9fea-af49-11ee-9e6b-c32647efc939.html Save to Pocket

Inetnon Gefpå’go honored as recipient of the Lewis Prize for Music Accelerator Awards

date: 2024-01-11, from: Guam Daily Post

The Lewis Prize for Music – a philanthropic music arts organization advancing systems change through creative youth development – has named Inetnon Gefpå’go Cultural Arts Program as one of its 2024 Accelerator Awards recipients, the organization announced in a press…

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/inetnon-gefp-go-honored-as-recipient-of-the-lewis-prize-for-music-accelerator-awards/article_b21c1a54-ae97-11ee-83f6-d397eb94da78.html Save to Pocket

GPD looking for missing woman

date: 2024-01-11, from: Guam Daily Post

The Guam Police Department is seeking assistance in the search for a missing woman.

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/gpd-looking-for-missing-woman/article_e0e93e36-b016-11ee-bc3c-7fe6e1565348.html Save to Pocket

Tenorio addresses Tumon shooting arrest

date: 2024-01-11, from: Guam Daily Post

Acting Gov. Josh Tenorio gave an address to the island regarding the apprehension of a man suspected to be involved in the fatal shooting of a Korean tourist on Jan. 4.

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/tenorio-addresses-tumon-shooting-arrest/article_e2953af0-b01b-11ee-82d5-17f4083134a8.html Save to Pocket

GVB: $50K to be awarded after conviction

date: 2024-01-11, from: Guam Daily Post

The Guam Visitors Bureau will award $50,000 for information in the Tumon investigation after there is a conviction in the Superior Court of Guam, according to the agency’s spokesperson.

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/gvb-50k-to-be-awarded-after-conviction/article_304d5d86-b017-11ee-ad04-732eaa16944d.html Save to Pocket

Tumon shooting suspects allegedly planned to ‘snatch someone’s purse’

date: 2024-01-11, from: Guam Daily Post

Two men suspected to be involved in a fatal shooting in Tumon last week allegedly went to Tumon with the intention to “snatch someone’s purse.”

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/tumon-shooting-suspects-allegedly-planned-to-snatch-someones-purse/article_ec08c9f2-b03a-11ee-b9e3-cfdf88b2118a.html Save to Pocket

@Tomosino’s Mastodon feed (date: 2024-01-11, from: Tomosino’s Mastodon feed)

I’m glad South Africa is addressing the International Court of Justice. It’s so frustrating it has taken so long. Let the proceedings begin.

https://x.com/Ntuli_Lindo_/status/1745393363430318205?s=20

https://tilde.zone/@tomasino/111737648988460642 Save to Pocket

@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-01-11, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)

Anti-Abortion Lawmakers Are Death Panels for Women.

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2024/01/anti-abortion-lawmakers-are-death-panels-for-women.html Save to Pocket

The IEA’s Optimistic Renewables Report

date: 2024-01-11, from: Heatmap News

Current conditions: The parade of winter storms continues today across much of the U.S. • The Congo River is at its highest level in more than 60 years after intense rains • This weekend’s NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins could be the coldest game in franchise history.

THE TOP FIVE

1. IEA report shows renewables expansion gaining momentum

The International Energy Agency (IEA) is feeling optimistic about the green energy transition. In its new Renewables 2023 report, released today, the agency says the world added 50% more renewable capacity last year than in 2022. This kind of momentum could get us close to the COP28 goal of tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030, but governments must do more to get us across the finish line, the IEA concluded.

Share of rewnewable electricity generation by technology IEA

Renewable capacity hit almost 510 gigawatts (GW) in 2023, with China seeing the most explosive growth, but the U.S., Europe, and Brazil also hit all-time highs. Solar was the real workhorse, accounting for 75% of the expansion. The report includes this quite astonishing statistic: “The world is on course to add more renewable capacity in the next five years than has been installed since the first commercial renewable energy power plant was built more than 100 years ago.”

The current growth rate puts the world on course to increase renewable capacity by two-and-a-half times by 2030, said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. He calls on governments to prioritize policy changes that speed up renewables development, and highlights the need for more financing in developing countries to help them with the energy transition. “Success in meeting the tripling goal will hinge on this,” Birol said.

2. Biden funnels $623 million into EV charging network buildout

The Biden administration has announced the recipients of infrastructure grants amounting to $623 million focused heavily on expanding the national electric vehicle charging network. The administration has a goal of installing at least 500,000 public chargers by 2030 – a Department of Energy report put the number at around 140,000 at the end of 2022, installed across 53,000 stations. Huge gaps in coverage remain across the country, fueling range anxiety among would-be EV buyers. The new grants are split between 22 states and Puerto Rico and will support 47 infrastructure projects, including 7,500 charging ports. About half of the money will go to “community” projects in urban and rural communities. The other half will go to “corridor” projects along roadways that are expected to “fill gaps in the core national charging and alternative-fueling network,” according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s press release.

3. GOP presidential candidates pile on Biden for ‘green’ policies

It appears that Republicans have a new favorite boogeyman buzzword this election season, writes Heatmap’s Charu Sinha. The word? “Green.” It was on every Republican presidential hopeful’s lips on Wednesday, both at CNN’s debate in Iowa between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, and at former President Donald Trump’s competing town hall on Fox News. DeSantis reiterated his promise to reverse President Biden’s clean energy policy, facetiously calling it the “Green New Deal.” Haley took her own stab at Biden’s “green subsidies” while answering a question about funding Ukraine and Israel. And for his part, Trump said Biden should “go into the energy business instead of this green new scam business that they’re in.”

Sinha notes that “at no point during the fifth Republican presidential debate or Trump’s town hall was the Inflation Reduction Act mentioned by name.”

4. Bird flu found in mammals in Antarctica

Bird flu strain H5N1 has been transmitted to seals in Antarctica, scientists have confirmed, an alarming development that raises concerns about how easily the virus can spread among mammals. The virus, which has killed millions of birds across the world, was detected in elephant seals and fur seals on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. Researchers believe migrating birds from South America brought the virus with them. Last week officials in Alaska confirmed a polar bear had died from the disease. “If a bird is weakened by avian influenza, or succumbs to it, polar bears aren’t fussy about what eat,” Andrew Derocher, a polar bear biologist at the University of Alberta, told Reuters. “If it’s dead and it’s edible they’ll probably eat it. There is a high likelihood of an interaction between climate change, avian influenza, bird mortality, and polar bears.”

5. Study: Snowpack worryingly low in parts of Northern Hemisphere

The Northern Hemisphere is seeing less snowpack due to human-caused climate change, according to a new study published in Nature. The researchers examined data from hundreds of river basins across the U.S. and Europe and found that about 20% of them saw a decline in snowpack – which is the total mass of snow that accumulates on the ground – over the last 40 years. “We see a pattern of snow change that is only consistent with human emissions,” Alex Gottlieb, a graduate student at Dartmouth College and lead author on the new study, told The Washington Post. The researchers also seem to have discovered a snow “cliff” – a tipping point temperature of 17 degrees Fahrenheit – at which snow loss accelerates very quickly. They say more than 2 billion people who rely on snow melt as a source of water are near the cliffedge.

THE KICKER

The cost of charging an EV in the U.S. is roughly equivalent to a gasoline price of $1 to $2 per gallon, with the national average being $1.41 per eGallon, according to Yale Climate Connections.

https://heatmap.news/climate/iea-renewables-report-ev-chargers Save to Pocket

@Tomosino’s Mastodon feed (date: 2024-01-11, from: Tomosino’s Mastodon feed)

day 2 of using new keyboard. it’s lovely. the extra attention to accoustics is really appreciated. it’s quiet and feels wonderful. even bottoming out the keys has a soft feel from the baseplate being on gaskets.

Travel distance to the arrow keys is about 2cm different than my last keyboard, so i’m adjusting. But I once again have a glorious numpad!

8675309!

https://tilde.zone/@tomasino/111737591524439838 Save to Pocket

PC ‘price hike’ coming as cost of memory soars – analysts

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Scores are on the doors for Q4, as after 2 years shipments grow again… by 0.3%

The PC industry has ended a two-year run of declining shipments, by growing 0.3 percent in Q4 of 2023, amid a warning that the cost of components will rise this year, as will the cost of laptops and desktops.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/pc_price_hike_coming_as/ Save to Pocket

How governments become addicted to suppliers like Fujitsu

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Interest in Japanese’s firm’s public sector deals – worth $15B in the UK alone since 2012 – spikes

Analysis  Since the broadcast of a television drama telling the story of the Post Office Horizon scandal — one of the most serious miscarriages of justice in British legal history — calls have mounted for those responsible to be held to account.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/fujitsu_public_procurement/ Save to Pocket

Get a New Wireless Router

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Markup blog

If you haven’t upgraded your wireless router since 2020, it’s time for a new one

https://themarkup.org/gentle-january/2024/01/11/get-a-new-wireless-router Save to Pocket

Just a Sample of What We Accomplished in 2023

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Markup blog

Last year, The Markup’s investigations spurred Congress, prompted companies to stop sending sensitive information to Facebook, and got cited in multiple new class action lawsuits

https://themarkup.org/year-in-review/2024/01/11/just-a-sample-of-what-we-accomplished-in-2023 Save to Pocket

How flight attendants are feeling after the Alaska Airlines accident

date: 2024-01-11, from: Marketplace Morning Report

The fallout continues from the Alaska Airlines accident last week. More airlines are cancelling Boeing 737 Max 9 flights, but it’s also affecting the first responders involved: flight attendants. We speak with Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, about flight attendants’ main concerns and the pandemic-era strains on flight crews that still persist. Plus, OpenAI is in content licensing deal talks with major news organizations.

https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-morning-report/how-flight-attendants-are-feeling-after-the-alaska-airlines-accident Save to Pocket

Office gossips beware – chitchat could choke your career chances

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Study of workplace blabbermouths reveals the consequences

If you’re the type of office blabbermouth who loves to stand at the water cooler and tell anyone who’ll listen that Pete in accounts has bad breath, or John and Jill in tech are sleeping together, don’t expect a promotion anytime soon.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/workplace_gossip_study/ Save to Pocket

GitHub Universe attendees treated to custom RP2040 Badgers

date: 2024-01-11, from: Raspberry Pi News (.com)

GitHub Universe 2023 attendees were treated to custom RP2040-powered conference badges by Pimoroni.

The post GitHub Universe attendees treated to custom RP2040 Badgers appeared first on Raspberry Pi.

https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/github-universe-attendees-treated-to-custom-rp2040-badgers/ Save to Pocket

Pharmacies Giving Patient Records to Police without Warrants

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-05, from: Bruce Schneier blog

Add pharmacies to the list of industries that are giving private data to the police without a warrant.

https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2024/01/pharmacies-giving-patient-records-to-police-without-warrants.html Save to Pocket

Hundreds wrongly convicted in one of the U.K.’s biggest miscarriages of justice

date: 2024-01-11, from: Marketplace Morning Report

From the BBC World Service: It’s taken a TV series to move the United Kingdom’s government into action over a scandal at the state-owned Post Office. Hundreds of workers were wrongly convicted of theft and fraud, when the real problem was faulty software from a system known as Horizon. Also: Taiwan votes this weekend in a presidential election. The consequences for Asia’s eighth largest economy could be dramatic.

https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-morning-report/uk-government-post-office-scandal Save to Pocket

Republican Politics In Iowa, Served Chilled

date: 2024-01-11, from: Dan Rather’s Steady

I love politics and I love this country, but I don’t love cold weather. To this Texan, there’s cold, and there’s Iowa cold. For me, it’s the wind, the bitter wind blowing across the plains that just cuts you. I’ve spent my fair share of Januaries in the Hawkeye State reporting on the Iowa caucuses, and I can safely say there is no such thing as too much clothing. But stand by, because forecasters say this coming Monday may be the coldest ever for a caucus, with temperatures predicted to be below zero — all for an event that requires Iowans to leave the warm confines of their homes to participate in a presidential nominating contest.

https://steady.substack.com/p/republican-politics-in-iowa-served Save to Pocket

A Sublime Solution to Climate’s Hardest Problem

date: 2024-01-11, from: Heatmap News

Over the past several months, in the sleepy city of Holyoke, Massachusetts, bulldozers have been tearing down a former paper mill. The newly leveled ground on the western banks of the Connecticut River is on its way to becoming the home of a big, industrial bet. If it pays off, what was once known as the Paper City could soon become the Clean Cement Capital — of the country, at least. Sublime Systems, a startup that has developed a process for producing the ubiquitous building material without releasing any carbon emissions, has chosen the site for its first commercial factory.

“It’s poetic justice,” Sublime’s CEO and co-founder, Leah Ellis, told me. “We’re excited about bringing clean technology to this community which has been damaged by a legacy of pollution from the old industry that used to happen there.”

The word cement is often used interchangeably with concrete, but it’s actually a key ingredient in the stuff that gets mixed and poured and hardened into sidewalks, roads, buildings. It is the glue that binds together sand, water, and gravel to form the fabric of our built environment. It’s also a major source of carbon emissions — 8% of the global total. And these aren’t like other kinds of emissions.

Scientists often split the climate problem into two categories. There’s the carbon that we know how to eliminate, like from power generation, home heating, and cars. And then there’s a group called the “hard to decarbonize” stuff — mostly emissions from industrial activities where clean solutions are still in early stages and not cost competitive. Cement is the poster child.

That’s because more than half of the emissions from cement come from a chemical reaction that’s intrinsic to its production. Cement consists of lime, silica, and water. It’s made by first heating up limestone in a kiln to more than 1,400 degrees Celsius (2,550 degrees Fahrenheit) — a level of heat that can typically be achieved only by burning coal or natural gas — to produce reactive lime. The bigger problem, though, is that limestone contains carbon, and as it heats up, that carbon is released as a gas. So even if you could heat the kiln with clean electricity instead of coal, there would still be carbon emitted by the process.

But Sublime has found another way. Ellis and her cofounder Yet-Ming Chiang — a serial entrepreneur who is also behind the buzzy battery startup Form Energy — developed a new way to make reactive lime that does not require limestone. Instead of heating up rocks in a kiln, they drive the chemical process with electric currents. This enables the company to avoid limestone and use a variety of other raw materials that do not contain carbon to produce lime.

When Ellis described her breakthrough to me, it sounded incredibly simple, like it might be obvious to anyone with a background in electrochemistry. “Why didn’t anyone else think of this?” I wanted to know.

“I believe this way of making cement is going to be obvious in retrospect, in a post-carbon world where you don’t use fossil fuels, where you’re penalized for CO2 emissions,” she told me. But she said there were three factors that led to this innovation in this moment.

First, we’ve reached a tipping point in figuring out how to decarbonize the electric grid. “That is the one key enabler. Once you’ve got a clean grid, that’s the tool to decarbonizing everything else.”

Second, Ellis happened to be in the right place at the right time. She started her career as a battery scientist and founded Sublime while completing a postdoc at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The interdisciplinary nature of the school, where she could collaborate with other departments, enabled her to expand the bounds of what she could do with her expertise.

And third, the technology Sublime uses to drive its chemical process — a device called an electrolyzer — has become much cheaper. Though electrolyzers have been around for a long time, they’ve recently benefited from increased economies of scale as interest in using them for applications like clean hydrogen production has grown.

For the past year, Sublime has been honing its process at a small pilot plant in Somerville, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. The new plant in Holyoke is designed to be many times larger — producing up to 30,000 tons of cement per year — though still smaller than the million tons per year that an average cement plant produces. The site is about half a mile down the river from a hydroelectric dam — a key consideration for the company, since it needs to power the plant with clean electricity.

The project is not yet fully financed, but Sublime has received $1 million in tax credits from the state of Massachusetts and is holding out hope for a federal grant from the Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.

There are a number of other emerging methods to reduce emissions from cement, including alternative chemical combinations and installing carbon capture equipment on cement plants, but it’s far from being removed from the “hard to decarbonize” club. The question, as always, is whether Sublime and others will be able to produce a high-quality product — one that passes the strength and durability tests required for the construction industry — at scale, and at a competitive price.

Sublime’s product is certainly more expensive than conventional cement today. But its solution is cheaper than using carbon capture, Ellis said. Capturing the carbon from a cement plant generally requires a big increase in energy use. And while the technology has been under development for decades, it’s so far failed to be applied economically outside the natural gas processing industry. In a world where builders are required to use lower-carbon materials, or where there’s a price on carbon, Ellis thinks Sublime will have an advantage. Governments at various levels in the U.S. have already started to implement “buy clean” programs that require the use of lower-carbon cement for state and federal construction projects, so Sublime may have an edge in some markets once its Holyoke plant is up and running.

“Our process is true zero,” she said. “It just doesn’t emit.”

https://heatmap.news/technology/sublime-carbon-cement-electrolyzer Save to Pocket

@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-01-11, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)

On this day in 2001: Payloads for RSS, which would eventually be known as “podcasting.”

https://web.archive.org/web/20010202144800/http://www.thetwowayweb.com/payloadsForRss Save to Pocket

AI flips the script on fingerprint lore – maybe they’re not so unique after all

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Discovery could have implications for the field of forensics

The belief that all fingerprints are unique is so well accepted that crime novels and TV shows riff on it. Recent AI research has challenged this notion, at least regarding the fingerprints on different fingers of the same person.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/ai_fingerprints_unique/ Save to Pocket

Ayaneo Next Lite handheld announced with SteamOS Linux

date: 2024-01-11, from: OS News

inally we’re seeing another handheld vendor jump in with Linux. The AYANEO NEXT LITE was announced today and much like the Steam Deck, they plan to ship it with SteamOS! AYANEO are one of the top brands when it comes to PC handhelds, so it’s really interesting to see them be one of the first to jump in like this. If Linux is a success for them, no doubt they will do more and other vendors will follow along. ↫ Liam Dawe It was inevitable for SteamOS to spread beyond just the Steam Deck, but an important note to make here is that Ayaneo is not working together with Valve. Instead, they’re using HoloIso, one of the community-maintained variants of SteamOS anyone can use and install. I’m a bit surprised by this, since moving SteamOS beyond just Valve products in an official capacity seems like a no-brainer for Valve; they’re not really in it for the hardware money, after all, and instead earn their money from Steam game sales. I’m fairly convinced this isn’t the last time we’re seeing a non-Valve product with SteamOS, but I’d rather have Valve involved in the process before spending any money on one of these.

https://www.osnews.com/story/138266/ayaneo-next-lite-handheld-announced-with-steamos-linux/ Save to Pocket

Memtest86+, the little RAM tester, flexes FOSS muscles with v7.0

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Essential tool for PC troubleshooting, even if you never run anything but Windows

The revival in development of open source RAM-testing tool Memtest86+ continues with version 7.0 – and it’s not just for Linuxy types.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/memtest86_70_released/ Save to Pocket

Teaching about AI explainability

date: 2024-01-11, from: Raspberry Pi (.org)

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, students are increasingly interacting with AI-powered applications when listening to music, writing assignments, and shopping online. As educators, it’s our responsibility to equip them with the skills to critically evaluate these technologies. A key aspect of this is understanding ‘explainability’ in AI and machine learning (ML) systems. The explainability…

The post Teaching about AI explainability appeared first on Raspberry Pi Foundation.

https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/teaching-ai-explainability/ Save to Pocket

Does More Renewable Energy Lead to More Political Support? Not in Texas.

date: 2024-01-11, from: Heatmap News

One of the central conceits of the Inflation Reduction Act, Biden’s landmark climate legislation, is that green investment will eventually lead to bipartisan support for the law. No Republican may have crossed the aisle to support the IRA in 2022, but when money flows into red districts, conservatives will come around. Or so the thinking goes.

The reality is proving more complicated. Some academic research has indeed suggested that investments in the climate economy can lead to positive political feedback. There have also been notable examples of conservative politicians supporting factories that produce batteries and solar panels. But our home state of Texas provides a more cautionary tale, particularly when it comes to the generation of renewable energy itself.

At the University of Texas at Austin, we recently conducted a study that investigated how unprecedented investment in the state’s clean energy industry has affected legislation. To put it bluntly, the results were the opposite of what renewable advocates would hope to see.

After winter storm Uri battered Texas in 2021, leading to major power outages, Republicans in the Texas state legislature introduced numerous bills to address what they claimed was the major culprit: renewable energy. (Democrats blamed fossil fuels.) Wind and solar had grown exponentially in recent years, turning Texas into the first and second largest state for their provision respectively. Nevertheless, along with bills to increase gas power production and reliability, Republicans targeted renewable energy for increased regulation, higher fees, and outright construction bans. Labeled the “War on Renewables”, some of these policies were called “industry killers” by renewable energy advocates. The majority of these bills were introduced in the Texas Senate.

Senate Bill 7 and Senate Bill 1287 both proposed new fees for wind and solar projects. Senate Bill 2012 would lead to charges on renewable projects to help fund the building of gas plants, and Senate Bill 2015 would require half of all generation in Texas to come from non-renewable sources. Perhaps the most damaging of bills would have led to a new permitting process that only applied to renewable energy generation (SB 624). Most of these bills passed the Texas Senate but didn’t receive a vote in the Texas House.

We analyzed the relationship between voting on these Senate bills and renewable energy investments in legislators’ districts. Of the 31 Texas Senate districts, seven have considerable wind investments and 12 have solar projects built or proposed.

Interestingly, many of the urban Democratic districts have little or no renewable energy projects. That’s probably because utility-scale wind and solar requires not only wind and sun, but available land. This land is often found in rural areas that are the strongholds of the Republican Party.

First, we present the major renewable energy bills and the partisan voting on this legislation. The pattern is clear. SB 258, one of the few pro-renewable bills, received full support from Democratic senators. Anti-renewable bills were introduced by Republican senators and they received overwhelming support from their party. Conversely, few Democrats supported these bills in what amounts to extremely partisan voting.

This partisan pattern is unsurprising on the surface, but economic interests can also drive voting on renewable energy policy. How did renewable energy investment shape voting on these bills?

The Advanced Power Association, arguably the most powerful renewable energy association in Texas, provides a map on their website of renewable energy investments by Senate and House district in Texas. This underlying data, complied by IdeaSmiths and shared with us by Josh Rhodes, is the same data that can be accessed by legislators on the impact of renewable energy in their districts. This data includes solar, wind, and renewable energy story investments, proposed investments, and estimated local tax revenues from these projects. For simplicity we present total megawatts of proposed, under construction, and built wind and solar projects, but we note the patterns we identify are consistent with different codings of this data.

The lack of correlation between renewable energy investment and voting on renewable legislation is striking. Politicians voting against renewable energy here actually had more wind and solar investment and greater estimated tax revenues from renewables in their districts. In fact, many of the authors of the anti-renewable bills have some of the largest renewable investments in the state. Meanwhile, SB 258, one of the few pro-renewable bills, received greater support from districts with fewer renewable energy projects. Our interpretation is simply that renewable energy investment has no impact on renewable energy voting.

How can that be? We offer three possible explanations.

The first, and most unlikely, is that fossil fuel interests are driving this war on renewables. While plausible, this explanation is forced to confront the fact that the majority of renewable energy projects in these areas are actually owned by fossil fuel owners. In a roundtable recapping this previous legislative session, renewable energy advocates, including the Advanced Power Alliance, directly stated that they didn’t think this legislation was driven by fossil fuel interests.

The second, which feels more likely, is that renewable energy generation isn’t leading to the kinds of jobs or government revenue that can insulate it from danger. Most of these projects have received considerable tax abatements from cities, counties, and local school districts, limiting their positive fiscal impact. They also employ relatively few workers once construction is complete. For example, the most recent Texas application for school tax abatements is Skull Creek Solar’s $147-million solar energy project. In their application for school tax abatements, they propose the creation of one job. If these projects are generating little tax revenue and few jobs, of course skeptical politicians might be indifferent to their fates. In contrast, other green investments, such as electric vehicle assembly and supply chains, can create thousands of jobs.

The third, and most likely of all, is that renewable energy has simply become another front in America’s ever-widening culture war. And the partisan passage of the IRA may have exacerbated the divide.

Now, our data analysis examines one state and alternative dynamics might be at play in other places. But given the depth of renewable energy investment in Texas and the waves of anti-renewable legislation in renewable energy districts, our analysis suggests limits to the relationship between renewable energy investment and politics.

Hopes that green energy investments in Republican districts will lead to changes in voting on renewable energy are inconsistent with our findings in Texas.

https://heatmap.news/politics/renewable-energy-texas-senate-voting Save to Pocket

Michael Dell: Don’t worry about AGI, after all we solved that ozone layer thing

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Budget, schmudget, when it comes to AI-enabled productivity gains, says exec

Any dangers associated with artificial general intelligence (AGI) can easily be countered through action, similarly to how humans resolved the depletion of the ozone layer, according to namesake and founder of Dell Technologies Inc, Michael Dell.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/micheal_dell_says_dont_worry/ Save to Pocket

‘The Big I Do’ returns on Valentine’s Day

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Signal

News release  The city of Santa Clarita’s The Big I Do returns on Valentine’s Day, offering a wedding experience in which multiple couples get married at the same time, followed by a wedding reception, all at the Canyon Country Community Center.  Couples will receive a catered brunch, wedding décor, floral arrangements, wedding cakes, a DJ, […]

The post <strong> ‘The Big I Do’ returns on Valentine’s Day</strong>  appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/the-big-i-do-returns-on-valentines-day/ Save to Pocket

More details emerge in HCCC overdoses

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>The Hawaii Community Correctional Center inmate who survived a fentanyl overdose in the facility on Jan. 4 was revived by a dose of naloxone, also known as Narcan.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/hawaii-news/more-details-emerge-in-hccc-overdoses/ Save to Pocket

Wife of dead HCCC inmate speaks out, recalls generous side of her husband

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>Lori Delgado sat outside the Hilo courtroom Wednesday after a brief hearing for Izaiah Shields, the man accused of smuggling the fentanyl into Hawaii Community Correctional Center that killed her husband, Steve Delgado.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/hawaii-news/wife-of-dead-hccc-inmate-speaks-out-recalls-generous-side-of-her-husband/ Save to Pocket

Bill to fund study of Puna alternate route postponed

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>A study investigating possibilities for a new roadway into Puna has been put off a little longer after questions about how to protect Hawaiian homestead land.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/hawaii-news/ill-to-fund-study-of-puna-alternate-route-postponed/ Save to Pocket

Alaska Airlines cancels flights on certain Boeing planes through Saturday for mandatory inspections

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>Alaska Airlines is canceling through Saturday all flights on Boeing 737 Max 9 planes like the one that suffered an in-flight blowout of a fuselage panel last week as it waits for new instructions from Boeing and federal officials on how to inspect the fleet.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/nation-world-news/alaska-airlines-cancels-flights-on-certain-boeing-planes-through-saturday-for-mandatory-inspections/ Save to Pocket

Legislators attempt to revive election reform

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>State legislators on Wednesday announced plans to reintroduce a bill calling for full public financing of elections in Hawaii.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/hawaii-news/legislators-attempt-to-revive-election-reform/ Save to Pocket

Bill allows county to fix private roads

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>After months of revisions and rewrites, the Hawaii County Council finally passed a measure that will allow county funds to be used to repair private subdivision roads.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/hawaii-news/bill-allows-county-to-fix-private-roads/ Save to Pocket

NWS: Cold front expected to bring high winds, high surf

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>A cold front will move in from the northwest early this morning that will create weather conditions similar to those that occurred Monday and Tuesday.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/hawaii-news/nws-cold-front-expected-to-bring-high-winds-high-surf-2/ Save to Pocket

BIIF Soccer: Hilo, Kealakehe split doubleheader

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p><strong>GIRLS: HILO 9 - KEALAKEHE 0</strong></p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/sports/biif-soccer-hilo-kealakehe-split-doubleheader/ Save to Pocket

BIIF hoops: Dragons clobber Cougars, Daggers stomp Canefire

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p><strong>PAHOA 60 - CLA 4</strong></p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/sports/biif-hoops-dragons-clobber-cougars-daggers-stomp-canefire/ Save to Pocket

Pro Picks: NFL’s wild-card weekend filled with reunions and rematches

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>Matthew Stafford vs. the Lions. Mike McCarthy vs. the Packers. Tyreek Hill vs. the Chiefs.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/sports/pro-picks-nfls-wild-card-weekend-filled-with-reunions-and-rematches/ Save to Pocket

Victor Wembanyama has 1st NBA triple-double for Spurs in 130-108 against Pistons

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>DETROIT (AP) &#8212; Victor Wembanyama had 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his first triple-double in the NBA, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 130-108 victory over the Detroit Pistons. </p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/sports/victor-wembanyama-has-1st-nba-triple-double-for-spurs-in-130-108-against-pistons/ Save to Pocket

Alabama’s Nick Saban retiring after 7 national titles, most in major college football history

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>Nick Saban&#8217;s coaching reign has come to an end. His dominance over college football, however, will forever linger in the lore of the sport. </p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/sports/alabamas-nick-saban-retiring-after-7-national-titles-most-in-major-college-football-history/ Save to Pocket

Lets play ball! Kona Legends host another successful tournament

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>KAILUA-KONA &#8212; The second-annual Kona Legends Kupuna Softball Classic was played last weekend at Old Airport Field, and was won by Scrubs, a team from Kona.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/sports/lets-play-ball-kona-legends-host-another-successful-tournament/ Save to Pocket

Bills fan killed near Dolphins’ stadium after last weekend’s game, police say

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) &#8212; Police in South Florida say a man fatally shot a 30-year-old Buffalo Bills fan during an altercation near Hard Rock Stadium after the Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins in the final regular season game. </p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/sports/bills-fan-killed-near-dolphins-stadium-after-last-weekends-game-police-say/ Save to Pocket

Sony Open in Hawaii brings a level of stress in the reshaped PGA Tour model

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>HONOLULU &#8212; Justin Rose is among 39 players at the Sony Open who started the new PGA Tour season last week at Kapalua, one of the eight signature events for the elite that offer $20 million in prize money and more FedEx Cup points than regular tournaments.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/sports/sony-open-in-hawaii-brings-a-level-of-stress-in-the-reshaped-pga-tour-model/ Save to Pocket

North Kohala center names new director

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>The North Kohala Community Resource Center has named Leelen Park as its new executive director effective Jan. 16.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/community/north-kohala-center-names-new-director/ Save to Pocket

Kaumana Caves to reopen on Tuesday

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>Kaumana Caves in Hilo will reopen to the public on Tuesday, Jan. 16, following a temporary closure due to a partial collapse.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/community/kaumana-caves-to-reopen-on-tuesday/ Save to Pocket

Grants offered for Arbor Day 2024

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>Arbor Day is one day formally designated across the United States to honor, plant and enjoy trees.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/community/grants-offered-for-arbor-day-2024/ Save to Pocket

HEART stages ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ at EHCC

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>The first East Hawaii theater production of 2024 opens this weekend with performances of &#8220;One Flew Over the Cuckoo&#8217;s Nest&#8221; beginning Friday.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/entertainment/heart-stages-one-flew-over-the-cuckoos-nest-at-ehcc/ Save to Pocket

5 power sources linked to blackouts

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>Hawaiian Electric avoided a second straight evening of rolling blackouts across Oahu on Tuesday, but the power shutoffs Monday substantiated prior concerns about the company&#8217;s shift to more renewable energy.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/hawaii-news/5-power-sources-linked-to-blackouts/ Save to Pocket

Judge says Donald Trump won’t give own closing argument at civil fraud trial after disputing rules

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>NEW YORK &#8212; Donald Trump won&#8217;t make his own closing argument after all in his New York civil business fraud trial after his lawyers objected to the judge&#8217;s insistence that the former president stick to &#8220;relevant&#8221; matters and &#8220;not deliver a campaign speech.&#8221;</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/nation-world-news/judge-says-donald-trump-wont-give-own-closing-argument-at-civil-fraud-trial-after-disputing-rules/ Save to Pocket

Kremlin foe Navalny, smiling and joking, appears in court via video link from an Arctic prison

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>TALLINN, Estonia (AP) &#8212; A smiling and joking Alexei Navalny appeared in court Wednesday via video link from the Arctic penal colony where he is serving a 19-year sentence, the first time the Russian opposition leader has been shown on camera since his transfer to the remote prison.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/nation-world-news/kremlin-foe-navalny-smiling-and-joking-appears-in-court-via-video-link-from-an-arctic-prison/ Save to Pocket

Lisa Bonet and Jason Momoa settle divorce, bringing their slow split to a speedy end

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>LOS ANGELES &#8212; Well, that was fast.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/nation-world-news/lisa-bonet-and-jason-momoa-settle-divorce-bringing-their-slow-split-to-a-speedy-end/ Save to Pocket

Obituaries for January 11

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>Mildred Hisae Hara, 91, of Hilo died Dec. 31 at home. Born in Honolulu, she was a retired secretary to the dean at Hawaii Community College. Private services held. Survived by sons, Chris (Kristi Kubo) Hara of Hilo and Brent (Heather) Hara of Tigard, Ore.; daughter, Lisanne Hara of Beaverton, Ore.; sister, Ethel Kakimoto of Honolulu; brothers, Walter (Betty Jane) Matsumoto and Mitchell (Denise) Matsumoto of Honolulu; five granddaughters; aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters- and brother-in-law. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/obituaries/obituaries-for-january-11-9/ Save to Pocket

Republicans push ahead with Hunter Biden contempt charge after his surprise visit to Capitol Hill

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>WASHINGTON &#8212; Republicans on Wednesday took the first step toward holding Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress for defying a congressional subpoena. They advanced the charge to a full House vote just hours after the president&#8217;s son sparked a momentary political frenzy by appearing in the front row for part of the debate.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/nation-world-news/republicans-push-ahead-with-hunter-biden-contempt-charge-after-his-surprise-visit-to-capitol-hill/ Save to Pocket

1 dead, 1 injured following avalanche at California ski resort as storm moves in, official says

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>RENO, Nev. (AP) &#8212; An avalanche roared through a section of expert trails at a California ski resort near Lake Tahoe on Wednesday, killing one person and injuring another, as a major storm with snow and gusty winds moved into the region, authorities said.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/nation-world-news/1-dead-1-injured-following-avalanche-at-california-ski-resort-as-storm-moves-in-official-says/ Save to Pocket

Secrecy surrounding the defense secretary’s hospitalization has put the White House on the defensive

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>WASHINGTON &#8212; President Joe Biden&#8217;s administration pledged from Day One to restore truth and transparency to the federal government &#8212; but now it&#8217;s facing a maelstrom of criticism and credibility questions after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin&#8217;s hospitalization was kept secret for days, even from the White House.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/nation-world-news/secrecy-surrounding-the-defense-secretarys-hospitalization-has-put-the-white-house-on-the-defensive/ Save to Pocket

Christie ends his presidential bid in an effort to blunt Trump’s momentum before Iowa’s GOP caucuses

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>WINDHAM, N.H. &#8212; Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday suspended his Republican presidential bid just days before Iowa&#8217;s leadoff caucuses, ceding to growing pressure to drop out of the race from those desperate to deny Donald Trump a glidepath to the nomination.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/nation-world-news/christie-ends-his-presidential-bid-in-an-effort-to-blunt-trumps-momentum-before-iowas-gop-caucuses/ Save to Pocket

Video appears to show the Israeli army shot 3 Palestinians, killing 1, without provocation

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>BEIT RIMA, West Bank &#8212; Security camera video from a West Bank village shows a young man standing in a central square when he is suddenly shot and drops to the ground. Two others rushing to his aid are also hit, leaving a 17-year-old dead, moments before Israeli military jeeps roll in.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/nation-world-news/video-appears-to-show-the-israeli-army-shot-3-palestinians-killing-1-without-provocation/ Save to Pocket

US inflation is set to fade in 2024 as goods prices keep falling

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>U.S. inflation is set to further recede in 2024, ending the year near the Federal Reserve&#8217;s 2% target as economic disruptions from the pandemic fade further and prices of some goods even decline.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/nation-world-news/us-inflation-is-set-to-fade-in-2024-as-goods-prices-keep-falling/ Save to Pocket

Engine maker Cummins to repair 600,000 Ram trucks in $2 billion emissions cheating scandal

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>DETROIT &#8212; Engine maker Cummins Inc. will recall 600,000 Ram trucks as part of a settlement with federal and California authorities that also requires the company to remedy environmental damage caused by illegal software that let it skirt diesel emissions tests.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/nation-world-news/engine-maker-cummins-to-repair-600000-ram-trucks-in-2-billion-emissions-cheating-scandal/ Save to Pocket

California proposal to ban youth tackle football clears first legislative hurdle

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>SACRAMENTO, Calif. &#8212; California lawmakers who want to ban tackle football for kids under 12 to reduce brain injuries gained ground Wednesday in the Legislature but still face a very long field and a clock that is ticking. </p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/sports/california-proposal-to-ban-youth-tackle-football-clears-first-legislative-hurdle/ Save to Pocket

Don’t be surprised if Trump starts attacking the Fed

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>Interest rates are heading down. Maybe not today, and maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of this year (at least). </p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/opinion/dont-be-surprised-if-trump-starts-attacking-the-fed/ Save to Pocket

Your Views for January 11

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>Trump dangerous&#0010;to public health</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/opinion/your-views-for-january-11-5/ Save to Pocket

Can divided Washington unite? The fractured GOP is the biggest obstacle

date: 2024-01-11, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>Faced with looming deadlines to produce a federal budget, the top Republican in Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and the top Democrat, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, agree that Pentagon funding for the fiscal year that started Oct. 1 should be $886 billion. </p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/11/opinion/can-divided-washington-unite-the-fractured-gop-is-the-biggest-obstacle/ Save to Pocket

What Trump’s lawyer was really advocating

date: 2024-01-11, from: Robert Reich on Substack

America is not the Weimar Republic in its final days and Trump is not Hitler, but …

https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-enabling-act-of-1933 Save to Pocket

Cameron Smyth | Honoring the Dream: A Day of Unity

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Signal

Martin Luther King was a visionary leader whose courage and commitment to justice changed the course of history. His dream of a nation free from racial injustice and discrimination continues to inspire us. As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 15, it is both an honor and a responsibility to reflect on […]

The post Cameron Smyth | Honoring the Dream: A Day of Unity appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/cameron-smyth-honoring-the-dream-a-day-of-unity/ Save to Pocket

It’s a preview party at Microsoft, but do you really want an invite?

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Developers are not alone in losing track of which platform to back

Microsoft has a very long history, but the company’s attention span seems to be shrinking, which is making it difficult to decide which products have a future and which might be shot behind the shed.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/microsoft_preview_habit/ Save to Pocket

Researchers tackle ovarian cancer

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

USC researchers developed a blood test with the ability to identify cancerous and benign pelvic masses with up to 91% accuracy.

The post Researchers tackle ovarian cancer appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/11/researchers-tackle-ovarian-cancer/ Save to Pocket

USC criticized for fossil fuel ties

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

The Environmental Student Assembly calls for full financial accountability.

The post USC criticized for fossil fuel ties appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/11/usc-criticized-for-fossil-fuel-ties/ Save to Pocket

Competing hospital location measures on session agenda

date: 2024-01-11, from: Guam Daily Post

Two measures competing to determine the location of a new public hospital or medical complex on Guam will be up for debate in this month’s legislative session.

https://www.postguam.com/news/competing-hospital-location-measures-on-session-agenda/article_4fe82430-b04b-11ee-803f-1b8f4fc7bf74.html Save to Pocket

January 10, 2024

date: 2024-01-11, from: Heather Cox Richardson blog

The Republican-dominated U.S. House of Representatives was back in session for business today. The day’s events did not bode well for the House’s managing to accomplish more in 2024 than it did in 2023. Top on the list of things that must get done, and done fast, is funding the government. The continuing resolution currently in place to fund the government expires in two phases: one on January 19 and the other on February 2. The far-right Freedom Caucus Republicans have refused to agree to funding measures without far deeper cuts than former House speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) agreed to in a long-ago deal with President Joe Biden as part of a package to raise the debt ceiling until 2025. They also want to attach far-right cultural demands to the measures, although traditionally appropriations are kept clean.

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/january-10-2024 Save to Pocket

Classifieds – January 11, 2024

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

The Daily Trojan features Classified advertising in each day’s edition. Here you can read, search, and even print out each day’s edition of the Classifieds.

The post Classifieds – January 11, 2024 appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/11/classifieds-january-11-2024/ Save to Pocket

Quantum computing eggheads throw some other qubits at the wall to see what sticks

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Just keep the cold clammy hand of Fujitsu away from it

Japan’s government scientific research institute Riken is hedging its bets on quantum computing with the deployment of Quantinuum’s trapped-ion H1 systems at its facility in Wako, Saitama.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/riken_ion_qubits_quantinuum/ Save to Pocket

Trump Poised to Dominate Republicans’ Kickoff Contest in Iowa

date: 2024-01-11, from: VOA News USA

https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-poised-to-dominate-republicans-kickoff-contest-in-iowa/7435239.html Save to Pocket

Today in SCV History (Jan. 11)

date: 2024-01-11, from: SCV New (TV Station)

1963 – Abandoned SPRR Newhall Depot burns down; chilly hobos blamed  [story

https://scvnews.com/today-in-scv-history-2/ Save to Pocket

Best film and television tracks of 2023

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

These are the top under-the-radar tracks used in movies and series last year.

The post Best film and television tracks of 2023 appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/11/best-film-and-television-tracks-of-2023/ Save to Pocket

Off to Iowa, where presidential hopefuls are born and buried

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

The small Midwestern state may determine Trump’s main GOP challenger.

The post Off to Iowa, where presidential hopefuls are born and buried appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/11/197176/ Save to Pocket

Michigan provides USC with blueprint

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

The Trojans have to adapt as they transition into the Wolverines’ conference.

The post Michigan provides USC with blueprint appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/11/michigan-provides-usc-with-blueprint/ Save to Pocket

The resolution to break up with my closet

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

A letter to the clothes I didn’t try and won’t buy because of my resolution.

The post The resolution to break up with my closet appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/11/the-resolution-to-break-up-with-my-closet/ Save to Pocket

Jo Koy’s writers deserve better

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

Following the year of “Barbie” (2023) and the Hollywood writers strike, the Golden Globes monologue was a poor joke.

The post Jo Koy’s writers deserve better appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/11/jo-koys-writers-deserve-better/ Save to Pocket

No. 9 women’s basketball seeks revenge against rival No. 2 UCLA

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

The undefeated Bruins pose a difficult challenge to the talented Trojans once again.

The post No. 9 women’s basketball seeks revenge against rival No. 2 UCLA appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/11/no-9-womens-basketball-seeks-revenge-against-rival-no-2-ucla/ Save to Pocket

Blinken Wraps Up Latest Middle East Tour; Says Gaza Conflict Has to End

date: 2024-01-11, from: VOA News USA

STATE DEPARTMENT — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday Israel working with Arab neighbors in the Middle East region to pave the way for a Palestinian state is the most effective way to isolate Iran. 

Before leaving Cairo, where he held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, Blinken said, “There’s a path that brings Israel’s needs and desires for integration in the region and genuine security with, as well, Palestinian aspirations for a state of their own.”

“That’s the single best way – this integration, security, a Palestinian state – to isolate and marginalize Iran and the kinds of actions it’s taking through its proxies,” Blinken said. “I think that vision is clear but for us to move on it, for it to really get started, the conflict in Gaza has to end. That’s critical.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected the two-state solution.

Cairo was the 10th and final stop on Blinken’s seven-day diplomatic mission, focused on containing the Gaza war, increasing humanitarian assistance, ensuring the protection of civilians, and securing the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas militants.

Earlier on Thursday, Blinken expressed appreciation for Egypt’s partnership in assisting the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. 

“Secretary Blinken and President El Sissi discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages.  The secretary reiterated U.S. commitment to ensuring Palestinians in Gaza are not forcibly displaced and to achieving regional peace that ensures Israel’s security and advances the establishment of a Palestinian state,” according to the State Department.

Egypt played a key role in mediating an earlier temporary cease-fire during which Hamas released more than 100 hostages and Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners. Egypt is trying to revive hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

Retired General Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie, former commander of U.S. Central Command, expressed pessimism during a webinar on Wednesday.

“I think it’s going to be very hard to get the remaining hostages back. … They’re the last thing Hamas has,” he said. “I am not optimistic that we’re going to get a lot of these hostages back.”

Thursday’s talks in Cairo come a day after Blinken met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank, and Abbas held subsequent talks with Sissi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

The Jordanian, Egyptian and Palestinian leaders issued a joint statement calling for the international community to maintain pressure for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and for the protection of Palestinian civilians. The leaders also highlighted the need for displaced Palestinians to be able to return to their homes in Gaza, and they rejected any attempt by Israel to reoccupy parts of the territory after the war.

Netanyahu said during televised remarks late Wednesday that Israel “has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population.”

“Israel is fighting Hamas terrorists, not the Palestinian population, and we are doing so in full compliance with international law,” he said.

Israel has agreed to allow a United Nations mission to evaluate the situation in war-ravaged northern Gaza for the safe return of displaced Palestinians.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said Wednesday that the mission is “contingent on security guarantees” from Israel.

The U.N. hopes to carry it out as soon as possible, as it is critical to a planned increase in humanitarian aid for northern Gaza.

Diplomats said Israel has invited U.N. Security Council members to visit the country later this month.

A U.N. special envoy is also set to conduct a mission to Israel and the West Bank at the end of January to gather information on sexual violence against hostages, reportedly committed by Hamas militants during the October 7 attacks in southern Israel, and the aftermath.

More than 85% of Palestinians have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Red Sea attacks

Blinken on Wednesday warned of “consequences” after Yemen-based Houthi rebels launched their largest yet aerial attack on the Red Sea.

“We had the biggest attack — UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] missiles — just yesterday,” Blinken told reporters at Bahrain International Airport in Manama on Wednesday. “These attacks have been aided and abetted by Iran with technology, equipment, intelligence, information, and they are having a real-life impact on people.”

More than 20 countries, including Bahrain, have pledged to preserve freedom of navigation and freedom of shipping in the Red Sea, Blinken said after holding talks with Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

“If these attacks continue as they did yesterday, there will be consequences,” Blinken added. He urged Iran to stop its assistance to Houthis but declined to elaborate on what specific consequences there would be.

On Wednesday, the U.N. Security Council adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution condemning and demanding an end to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

The Iran-backed Houthis said the attacks target ships affiliated with or bound for Israel, and that they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza health officials say more than 23,400 Palestinians, a large percentage of them women and children, have been killed in Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Israel began its military campaign to wipe out Hamas after Hamas fighters crossed into southern Israel in October. Israel said about 1,200 people were killed and about 240 captives taken in the terror attack.

Some material for this report came from Reuters, Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press.

https://www.voanews.com/a/blinken-sissi-to-discuss-israel-hamas-war/7435338.html Save to Pocket

‘Green’ Is the New Republican Dirty Word

date: 2024-01-11, from: Heatmap News

Our condolences to “woke.” It appears that Republicans have a new favorite boogeyman buzzword this election season: “green.” The word was on every Republican presidential hopeful’s lips on Wednesday, both at CNN’s debate in Iowa between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, and at former President Donald Trump’s competing town hall on Fox News.

To start, DeSantis reiterated his promise to reverse President Biden’s clean energy policy – without, of course, actually calling it by its real name. After explaining that energy independence is “good to reduce inflation,” DeSantis continued, “So we’ll do that on day one and we’re going to reverse Biden’s Green New Deal and the electric vehicle mandates.” DeSantis is of course facetiously referring to the Inflation Reduction Act here — Biden has not supported the actual Green New Deal as proposed in a resolution by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Edward Markey in 2019.

It’s also not the first time DeSantis has made this particular reference. The Florida governor, who once said that “humans contribute to what goes on around us” while running for governor in Florida in 2018, promised that he’d be “taking all the Biden regulations, the Green New Deal, ripping it up and throwing it in the trash can where it belongs,” at November’s primary debate. DeSantis’s environmental flip-flopping has not gone unnoticed by his opponents – least of all Haley, who called out DeSantis’s pledge to ban fracking during Wednesday’s debate, as she did in September and November as well.

Haley took her own stab at Biden’s energy policy shortly after DeSantis at Wednesday’s debate. Biden’s “green subsidies” caught a stray during Haley’s answer to a question about funding Ukraine and Israel during their respective ongoing wars. “Supporting Ukraine is 3.5% of our budget,” Haley said. “If we support Ukraine and Israel, that’s only 5% of our defense budget […] If we support Ukraine, Israel, and secure the border, that’s less than 20% of Biden’s green subsidies. You do not have to choose when it comes to national security.”

For his part, Trump trotted out a predictably insane “green” reference during his live town hall on Fox News. While answering a question about contributing to the national debt during his term, Trump said, “You had to inject money. … If I didn’t do that, you would have had a depression in this country.” He continued, “That was a very good investment. And now what they should be doing instead of the kind of debt that they’re building at record levels, they should be paying down their debt and they ought to go into the energy business instead of this green new scam business that they’re in.”

It’s perhaps redundant to note that at no point during the fifth Republican presidential debate or Trump’s town hall was the Inflation Reduction Act mentioned by name. We’ll have to tune into the next debate (January 18 in New Hampshire) to find out if the green verbal tic holds up.

https://heatmap.news/sparks/donald-trump-nikki-haley-ron-desantis-green-fox-news-cnn-debate Save to Pocket

How Boeing Bought Washington

date: 2024-01-11, from: The Lever News

Before the recent Boeing disaster, the company and its parts supplier Spirit AeroSystems spent years lobbying to boost production and weaken safety regulations.

https://www.levernews.com/how-boeing-bought-washington/ Save to Pocket

House Republicans Aim to Impeach US Homeland Secretary

date: 2024-01-11, from: VOA News USA

Washington — House Republicans held their first impeachment hearing Wednesday against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of what they called the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.

In a 20-minute opening statement, Mark Green, the Republican chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, shared what he said was evidence that supports impeaching a Cabinet secretary.

“Secretary Mayorkas has brazenly refused to enforce the laws passed by Congress that knowingly made our country less safe,” he said.

Republicans blame Mayorkas for the high numbers of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border and said the Republican Party has undertaken a yearlong investigation into the secretary’s work.

During the hearing, Green said Mayorkas’ failure to adhere to the law provides ample justification for initiating impeachment proceedings. The lawmaker said the framers of the constitution did not envision impeachment solely for criminal acts but also for individuals displaying significant incompetence, jeopardizing fellow Americans, breaching public trust, or neglecting their duties.

“What we are seeing here is a willful violation of his oath of office by Secretary Mayorkas,” Green said.

Democrats dismissed the impeachment efforts.

Representative Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the committee, said Republicans want to “throw political red meat to their base,” adding that Republicans have “absolutely no basis” to impeach Mayorkas.

“You cannot impeach a Cabinet secretary because you don’t like a president’s policies — that’s not what impeachment is for,” he said.

US-Mexico border

Meanwhile, Mayorkas has carried on with his duties. On Monday, he visited the border at Eagle Pass, Texas, to see Southwest border enforcement efforts.

His visit came after federal border officials reported a record 11,000 apprehensions a day at the southern border in December alone. These encounters dropped sharply with the beginning of the new year.

“It coincided with the time when Mexican enforcement was no longer implemented. The immigration enforcement agency in Mexico was not funded, which prompted President [Joe] Biden to reconnect with [Mexican] President [Andres Manual Lopez] Obrador …” Mayorkas told reporters.

The high numbers of migrants encountered at the southern border is one of the Republicans’ arguments to impeach the DHS secretary.

In year 2023, about 2.5 million migrants were encountered by border patrol officers. Out of those, 564,380 were expelled under Title 42, a public health code that expired on May 11, 2023. It was used during the pandemic and allowed U.S. immigration officials to quickly expel migrants to their country of origin or Mexican border towns and denied them a chance at asylum.

But it did not ban them from trying again, and migrants were counted multiple times under Title 42.

According to DHS, the department repatriated about 469,000 migrants in fiscal 2023, while about 909,450 more were processed by border patrol officials and received a document to present themselves at an Immigration Customs Enforcement office. Some of those were paroled into the U.S. and allowed to stay temporarily or paroled into the alternative to detention program. And 311,343 more migrants were transferred to an ICE detention facility.

Since the end of Title 42, everyone is again processed under Title 8, the federal code of laws dealing with immigration. Those arriving at the border without documents or trying to enter between ports of entry can be removed without their case being decided by an immigration court through a process known as expedited removal, and they are banned from entering the U.S. for at least five years.

While in Texas, Mayorkas said that migrants encountered at the border who do not have a legal basis to stay in the U.S. will be removed.

Next steps

Impeaching the Homeland Security secretary would be a rare occurrence. In U.S. history, only one Cabinet official, Secretary of War William Belknap in 1876, has been impeached.

The committee is expected to host more hearings as part of the impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas. Once concluded, the panel is expected to conduct a markup on articles of impeachment that will culminate in a committee vote, setting the stage for the articles to be subsequently forwarded to the full House for consideration.

Mayorkas, however, is not expected to be removed by the Senate.

https://www.voanews.com/a/house-republicans-aim-to-impeach-us-homeland-secretary-/7435301.html Save to Pocket

US to Send Delegation After Taiwan Election

date: 2024-01-11, from: VOA News USA

https://www.voanews.com/a/us-to-send-delegation-after-taiwan-election/7435299.html Save to Pocket

House Republicans Launch Impeachment Inquiry Into Biden’s Top Immigration Official

date: 2024-01-11, from: VOA News USA

Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday launched impeachment proceedings against a top immigration official in the Biden administration. The unusual move comes as a bipartisan group of senators negotiates a deal that would rework immigration laws in exchange for votes authorizing more aid to Ukraine and Israel. VOA’s congressional correspondent Katherine Gypson reports.

https://www.voanews.com/a/house-republicans-launch-impeachment-inquiry-into-biden-s-top-immigration-official/7435270.html Save to Pocket

State Superintendent Breakdown of Proposed 2024 State Education Budget

date: 2024-01-11, from: SCV New (TV Station)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today issued the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed education budget for fiscal year 2024–

https://scvnews.com/state-superintendent-breakdown-of-proposed-2024-state-education-budget/ Save to Pocket

Trying to be the ideal American family with a small fridge

date: 2024-01-11, from: Dave Rupert blog

I’m coming to the realization when you’re a family with a small fridge you cannot be all these platonic ideals at the same time:

• The buy in bulk Costco family
• The big weekly shopping trip family
• The cook/order extra and eat leftovers family
• The cook extra and freeze it family
• The meal prep family
• The freezer full of frozen smoothie ingredients family
• The buy one-off condiments, sauces, or pickles family
• The keep fresh fruits and veggies on hand family
• The make my kids lunches family

At best you can be one of these or buy a garage fridge. People with two fridges seem content. Some industrious folks keep a whole deer or half a cow in there. I’m not going that overboard, I need a home for a bag of chicken nuggies, tamales from Arizona, and some ice cream.

Interesting predicament, small fridges. Instagram Reel-esque lifehacks could save my family some real money, reduce waste, and make food choices more healthy or interesting. I don’t want an extra fridge humming in the garage getting slimy, but I also don’t want to go to the store every other day. Good grief, Charlie Brown.

https://daverupert.com/2024/01/small-fridge/ Save to Pocket

Pennsylvanians, your government workers are now powered by ChatGPT

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

We’ve heard of bored penpushers hallucinating at their desks, but this is something else

Pennsylvania has signed up for a ChatGPT Enterprise plan, allowing the commonwealth’s government employees to use OpenAI’s generative artificial intelligence to complete day-to-day tasks, or so Governor Josh Shapiro hopes.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/pennsylvania_openai_chatgpt/ Save to Pocket

@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-01-11, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)

US verges on vaccination tipping point, faces thousands of needless deaths: FDA.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/01/anti-vaccine-nonsense-will-likely-kill-thousands-this-season-fda-officials-say/ Save to Pocket

Election Countdown: 300 Days to Go.

date: 2024-01-11, from: James Fallows, Substack

In a courtroom, the modern version of the ‘Rose Mary Stretch.’ On the airwaves, some lessons unlearned.

https://fallows.substack.com/p/election-countdown-300-days-to-go Save to Pocket

Latest tech layoffs: Twitch, Duolingo, Citrix parent ditch hundreds of workers

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Happy New Year!

Last year’s tech layoff spree isn’t over, with live-streaming site Twitch announcing today that it’s laying off 500 employees, around a third of its staff. The biz isn’t alone in letting people go.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/11/twitch_employee_layoff/ Save to Pocket

Jan. 25: Schiavo, Wilk Host Cash for College Webinar

date: 2024-01-11, from: SCV New (TV Station)

Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, in partnership with Senator Scott Wilk, is excited to invite the community to the upcoming Cash for College webinar

https://scvnews.com/jan-25schiavo-wilk-host-cash-for-college-webinar/ Save to Pocket

Stem Cell Donor’s Visa Denied Again

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The LAist

L.A. cancer patient depends on stem cell donation from his cousin, but he is not being allowed into the U.S. from the Philippines.

https://laist.com/news/stem-cell-donors-visa-denied-again Save to Pocket

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga Save to Pocket

Trump Critic Christie Says He’s Ending Presidential Bid

date: 2024-01-11, from: VOA News USA

WINDHAM, New Hampshire — Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said Wednesday that he was ending his Republican presidential bid just days before Iowa’s leadoff caucuses. 

“My goal has never been to be just a voice against the hate and division and the selfishness of what our party has become under Donald Trump,” Christie said at a town hall meeting in New Hampshire. 

“I’ve always said that if there came a point in time in this race where I couldn’t see a path to accomplishing that goal, that I would get out,” he said. “And it’s clear to me tonight that there isn’t a path for me to win the nomination, which is why I’m suspending my campaign tonight for president of the United States.” 

It wasn’t clear whether Christie would be immediately endorsing one of his rivals, but he was overheard criticizing former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley on a livestream set up by his campaign ahead of the event. 

“She’s going to get smoked,” he said. “She’s not up to this.”  

He said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called him, petrified he would endorse Haley, but the hot mic was cut before Christie finished speaking. 

Counting on New Hampshire

The dropout came as a surprise, given that Christie had staked the success of his campaign on New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary, which is less than two weeks away. He had insisted as recently as Tuesday night that he had no plans to leave the race, continuing to cast himself as the only candidate willing to directly take on the former president. 

“I would be happy to get out of the way for someone who is actually running against Donald Trump,” he said at a town hall session in Rochester, New Hampshire, while arguing that none of his rivals had taken on the former president.

But Christie faced a stark reality: While recent polls showed him reaching the double digits in New Hampshire, Haley shows signs of momentum. A CNN/University of New Hampshire poll conducted in the state this week found Trump’s lead down to the single digits, with four in 10 likely Republican primary voters choosing Trump and about one-third choosing Haley. 

Allies of Haley, including New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu and other anti-Trump Republicans, had been urging Christie to exit, hoping a large portion of his supporters would flock to Haley, giving her a chance to turn the race into a two-candidate contest with Trump, the overwhelming favorite for the nomination. 

The New Hampshire poll — which showed Christie at 12% — found about two-thirds of his supporters would select Haley as their second choice. 

Christie had run as the race’s fiercest critic of the former president. He warned voters against nominating a candidate who has been criminally indicted four times and could very well be a convicted felon by the November general election. And he argued Trump would lose in a rematch with President Joe Biden, the likely Democratic nominee. 

While his anti-Trump message attracted much media attention and helped bring in waves of small-dollar donations that kept him in the race — and on the debate stage — far longer than many expected, Christie was plagued by high unfavorability ratings in a party that remains deeply loyal to Trump. 

He also remained mired in the single digits in national polling. 

Frugal campaign

Nonetheless, Christie managed to outlast far better-known and better-funded candidates, including former Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, in part because he ran a frugal campaign. Instead of flying by private jet and hiring a litany of expensive consultants, he relied on a tight-knit staff of just over a dozen people and spent far lower per day than rivals like DeSantis. 

And just as he did when he ran in 2016, Christie banked his campaign on New Hampshire, believing his brash “tell it like it is” style would resonate with the state’s more independent-leaning voters, including those who are unaffiliated with a party and can vote in the Republican primary. 

He also campaigned in South Carolina and hoped to emerge as the last man standing against Trump after the early state contests. 

Christie had long insisted that he had no plans to leave the race before New Hampshire’s primary on January 23 and appeared on track to perform better than he had in 2016, when he finished in sixth place with just 7% of the vote. 

At the town hall Tuesday, he delivered a sharply worded rebuttal to those calling on him to drop out to clear the path for Haley, arguing that she wasn’t even trying to beat the front-runner. 

“I have no interest in being a spoiler for someone who wants to beat Donald Trump,” he said. “But if you’d be willing to be his vice president? If you’d pardon him if you became president? If you’d vote for him even if he’s a convicted felon … I mean, geez, really?” 

Christie asked the crowd to imagine what would happen if he dropped out to support Haley and then she agreed to serve as Trump’s running mate. 

“What will I look like? What will all the people who supported her at my behest look like?” he asked. “You know, I made that mistake once eight years ago. I made an endorsement decision based on politics eight years ago when I supported Trump. I’m not going to make the same mistake again. Can’t do it.” 

Once a Trump asset

The campaign in many ways felt like a mission of redemption for the former governor, who arguably did more than any other Republican to help Trump win the presidency when they faced each other in 2016. 

During that contest, Christie delivered a fatal blow to rival candidate Marco Rubio during a debate that came just as the Republican establishment appeared to be coalescing around the senator from Florida as a Trump alternative. No other candidate ever emerged in his place. 

Then, after Christie dropped out, he became the first major Republican figure to endorse Trump during a surprise press conference. He went on to lead Trump’s White House transition operation — before he was unceremoniously fired — and to serve as an on-again-off-again adviser, including preparing Trump for the debates against Biden. 

It was during one of their 2020 debate prep sessions that Christie believes Trump gave him COVID-19, putting Christie in the hospital in intensive care. 

But it wasn’t until the night of the 2020 election that Christie, who had been friends with Trump and his wife for 20 years, broke with the then-president after Trump falsely claimed victory long before all the votes had been counted. Christie later penned a book that was deeply critical of the former president. 

Beyond his focus on Trump, Christie had argued that abortion restrictions should be left to the states until there is broader consensus on the issue, and he had advocated for continued U.S. support for Ukraine in its efforts to stave off Russia’s invasion. He visited both Ukraine and Israel, where he toured a kibbutz that was ravaged in the October 7 rampage by Hamas militants and said the U.S. must stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Israel.

https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-critic-christie-says-he-s-ending-bid-for-republicans-presidential-nod/7434862.html Save to Pocket

GPD seeks help in search for missing woman

date: 2024-01-11, from: Guam Daily Post

The Guam Police Department is seeking assistance in the search for a missing woman.

https://www.postguam.com/news/gpd-seeks-help-in-search-for-missing-woman/article_ee33cdcc-b011-11ee-bab0-cf039dd7281c.html Save to Pocket

Application Phishing

date: 2024-01-11, updated: 2024-01-11, from: Tom Kellog blog

http://timkellogg.me/blog/2024/01/11/application-phishing Save to Pocket

The effect and mechanism of Fushen Granule on gut microbiome in the prevention and treatment of chronic renal failure

date: 2024-01-11, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

Fushen Granule improved renal function and intestinal barrier function by regulating intestinal flora, inhibiting renal fibrosis, and delaying the progression of chronic renal failure.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1334213 Save to Pocket

---

Will previous antimicrobial therapy reduce the positivity rate of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in periprosthetic joint infections? A clinical study

date: 2024-01-11, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a culture-independent massively parallel DNA sequencing technology and it has been widely used for rapid etiological diagnosis with significantly high positivity rate. Currently, clinical studies on evaluating the influence of previous antimicrobial therapy on positivity rate of mNGS in PJIs are rarely reported. The present study aimed to investigate whether the positivity rate of mNGS is susceptible to previous antimicrobial therapy.

We performed a prospective trial among patients who undergone hip or knee surgery due to periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) to compare the positivity rate of culture and mNGS between cases with and without previous antimicrobial therapy, and the positivity rates between cases with different antimicrobial-free intervals were also analysed.

Among 131 included PJIs, 91 (69.5%) had positive cultures and 115 (87.8%) had positive mNGS results. There was no significant difference in the positivity rate of deep-tissue culture and synovial fluid mNGS between cases with and without previous antimicrobial therapy. The positivity rate of synovial fluid culture was higher in cases with previous antimicrobial therapy. The positivity rates of mNGS in synovial fluid decreased as the antimicrobial-free interval ranged from 4 to 14 days to 0 to 3 days.

mNGS is more advantageous than culture with a higher pathogen detection rate. However, our data suggested that antimicrobial agents may need to be discontinued more than 3 days before sampling to further increase the positivity rate of mNGS for PJIs.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1295962 Save to Pocket

---

Characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying the blaNDM-1 gene in IncX3 plasmids and the rare In1765 in an IncFIB-IncHI1B plasmid

date: 2024-01-11, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

Today, the bla_NDM gene is widely distributed on several plasmids from a variety of Gram-negative bacteria, primarily in transposons and gene cassettes within their multidrug-resistant (MDR) regions. This has led to the global dissemination of the bla_NDM gene.

The determination of class A beta-lactamase, class B and D carbapenemases was performed according to the recommendations of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using both the BioMerieux VITEK2 system and antibiotic paper diffusion methods. Plasmid transfer was then evaluated by conjugation experiments and plasmid electroporation assays. To comprehensively analyze the complete genome of K. pneumoniae strain F11 and to investigate the presence of mobile genetic elements associated with antibiotic resistance and virulence genes, Nanopore and Illumina sequencing platforms were used, and bioinformatics methods were applied to analyze the obtained data.

Our findings revealed that K. pneumoniae strain F11 carried class A beta-lactamase and classes B+D carbapenemases, and exhibited resistance to commonly used antibiotics, particularly tigecycline and ceftazidime/avibactam, due to the presence of relevant resistance genes. Plasmid transfer assays demonstrated successful recovery of plasmids pA_F11 and pB_F11, with average conjugation frequencies of 2.91×10^-4 and 1.56×10^-4, respectively. However, plasmids pC_F11 and pD_F11 failed in both conjugation and electroporation experiments. The MDR region of plasmid pA_F11 contained rare In1765, TnAs2, and TnAs3 elements. The MDR2 region of plasmid pB_F11 functioned as a mobile genetic “island” and lacked the bla_NDM-1 gene, serving as a “bridge” connecting the early composite structure of ble_MBL and bla_NDM-1 to the recent composite structure. Additionally, the MDR1 region of plasmid pB_F11 comprised In27, TnAs1, TnAs3, and Tn2; and plasmid pC_F11 harbored the recent composite structure of ble_MBL and bla_NDM-1 within Tn3000 which partially contained partial Tn125.

This study demonstrated that complex combinations of transposons and integron overlaps, along with the synergistic effects of different drug resistance and virulence genes, led to a lack of effective therapeutic agents for strain F11, therefore its dissemination and prevalence should be strictly controlled.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1324846 Save to Pocket

---

Transcriptional profiling specifies the pathogen-specific human host response to infectious keratitis

date: 2024-01-11, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

Corneal infections are a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness worldwide. Here we applied high-resolution transcriptomic profiling to assess the general and pathogen-specific molecular and cellular mechanisms during human corneal infection.

Clinical diagnoses of herpes simplex virus (HSV) (n=5) and bacterial/fungal (n=5) keratitis were confirmed by histology. Healthy corneas (n=7) and keratoconus (n=4) samples served as controls. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human corneal specimens were analyzed using the 3’ RNA sequencing method Massive Analysis of cDNA Ends (MACE RNA-seq). The cellular host response was investigated using comprehensive bioinformatic deconvolution (xCell and CYBERSORTx) analyses and by integration with published single cell RNA-seq data of the human cornea.

Our analysis identified 216 and 561 genes, that were specifically overexpressed in viral or bacterial/fungal keratitis, respectively, and allowed to distinguish the two etiologies. The virus-specific host response was driven by adaptive immunity and associated molecular signaling pathways, whereas the bacterial/fungal-specific host response mainly involved innate immunity signaling pathways and cell types. We identified several genes and pathways involved in the host response to infectious keratitis, including CXCL9, CXCR3, and MMP9 for viral, and S100A8/A9, MMP9, and the IL17 pathway for bacterial/fungal keratitis.

High-resolution molecular profiling provides new insights into the human corneal host response to viral and bacterial/fungal infection. Pathogen-specific molecular profiles may provide the foundation for novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic approaches that target inflammation-induced damage to corneal host cells with the goal to improve the outcome of infectious keratitis.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1285676 Save to Pocket

---

Potential roles of Culicoides spp. (Culicoides imicola, Culicoides oxystoma) as biological vectors of bluetongue virus in Yuanyang of Yunnan, P. R. China

date: 2024-01-11, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

Culicoides plays a crucial role as an insect vector in the field of veterinary medicine. The transmission of significant viruses such as bluetongue virus (BTV) and African horse sickness virus (AHSV) by this insect poses a substantial threat, leading to the development of severe diseases in domestic animals. This study aimed to explore the Culicoides species, identify their blood-meal sources, and assess the presence of BTV and AHSV carried by Culicoides in Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province. The aim was to gain insights into the potential vectors of these two viruses and elucidate their potential roles in the transmission of pathogens.

The midges were collected from cattle (Bos indicus), pig (Sus scrofa), and goat (Capra hircus) pens in Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province in June 2020. Initial identification of midges was conducted through morphological characteristics, followed by molecular identification using the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The determination of Culicoides blood-meal sources was accomplished using specific primers targeting the cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene from potential hosts. BTV and AHSV RNA were identified in Culicoides pools through the application of reverse transcriptase PCR and quantitative real-time PCR. Nucleotide homology and phylogenetic analysis were performed using MegAlign (DNAStar) and Mega 6.0 software.

A total of 6,300 Culicoides, consisting of C. oxystoma, C. arakawai, C. imicola, and C. innoxius, were collected from cattle, pigs, and goat pens. The engorgement rates for these species were 30.2%, 54.6%, 75%, and 66.7%, respectively. In the cattle pen, the prevailing species is C. oxystoma (100%). In the pig pen, C. arakawai dominates (70%), with C. oxystoma following at 30%. In the goat pen, C. imicola holds the majority (45.45%), trailed by C. oxystoma (25%), C. innoxius (20.45%), and C. arakawai (9.09%). These Culicoides species were identified as feeding on cattle, pigs, goats, chickens (Gallus gallus), and humans (Homo sapiens). The positivity rates for BTV were 20.00% and 11.54% in blood-fed specimens of C. imicola and C. oxystoma, respectively. Conversely, the positivity rates for BTV in non-blood-fed specimens were 0.00% and 6.67% for C. imicola and C. oxystoma, respectively. BTV was not detected in C. arakawai and C. innoxius. The specimens (YY86) from C. imicola that tested positive for BTV had the closest genetic relationship to YTS-4 isolated from Mangshi, Yunnan Province in 1996. All test results for the nucleic acid of AHSV were negative.

The study reveals variations in the species distribution, community composition, blood sucking rate, and blood-feeding sources of Culicoides across different habitats. Notably, C. imicola and C. oxystoma emerge as potential vectors for the transmission of BTV in local animals. Accordingly, this investigation provides crucial insights that can serve as a valuable reference for the prevention and control of BTV in local animals, particularly from the perspective of vector management.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1283216 Save to Pocket

---

Endogenous retroviruses Suppressyn and Syncytin-2 as innovative prognostic biomarkers in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

date: 2024-01-11, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

Emerging evidence has proven that human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) play a critical role in the pathogenesis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), whereas the specific HERVs influencing the prognosis of AML patients have yet to be fully understood.

In this study, a systematic exploration was achieved to identify potential prognostic HERVs for AML, sourced from TCGA and GTEx database. Differential analysis and functional enrichment studies were conducted using GO, KEGG, GSEA, and GSVA. The ESTIMATE algorithm was applied to explore the immune infiltration of HERVs in AML. A prognostic risk-score model was evaluated with predicted yearly accuracy using ROC analysis.

Two HERVs Suppressyn and Syncytin-2, were identified as promising prognostic biomarkers, with high discrimination ability based on ROC analysis between AML and healthy cohorts from TCGA. Their expression was notably higher in AML patients compared to those in healthy individuals but correlates with favorable clinical outcomes in sub-groups such as white race, lower WBC counts, favorable and intermediate risks, and NPM1 or IDH1 mutation. Suppressyn and Syncytin-2 participated in immune-related pathways and exhibited correlations with multiple immune infiltration cells, such as T cells, mast cells, and tumor-associated macrophages. Finally, we developed a prognostic risk-scoring model combining Suppressyn and Syncytin-2, where a high risk-score is associated with better prognosis.

Collectively, our findings revealed that Suppressyn and Syncytin-2 may act as valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for individuals with AML, while highlighting links between HERV activation, immunogenicity, and future therapeutic targets.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1339673 Save to Pocket

---

A guide to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia virulence capabilities, as we currently understand them

date: 2024-01-11, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

The Gram-negative pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia causes a wide range of human infections. It causes particularly serious lung infections in individuals with cystic fibrosis, leading to high mortality rates. This pathogen is resistant to most known antibiotics and harbors a plethora of virulence factors, including lytic enzymes and serine proteases, that cause acute infection in host organisms. S. maltophilia also establishes chronic infections through biofilm formation. The biofilm environment protects the bacteria from external threats and harsh conditions and is therefore vital for the long-term pathogenesis of the microbe. While studies have identified several genes that mediate S. maltophilia’s initial colonization and biofilm formation, the cascade of events initiated by these factors is poorly understood. Consequently, understanding these and other virulence factors can yield exciting new targets for novel therapeutics.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1322853 Save to Pocket

---

DNA damage response coregulator ddrR affects many cellular pathways and processes in Acinetobacter baumannii 17978

date: 2024-01-11, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

Acinetobacter baumannii strain 17978 is an opportunistic pathogen possessing a DNA damage response (DDR) in which multiple error-prone polymerase genes are co-repressed by a UmuD homolog, UmuDAb, and the small Acinetobacter-specific protein DdrR. Additionally, these regulators coactivate nine other genes. We identified the DNA damage-inducible transcriptome for wildtype, umuDAb, and recA strains, and later established the ddrR DDR transcriptome. However, the ATCC 17978 reference genome had several assembly errors and lacked the 44 kb virulence locus, AbaAL44, that is present in the strain 17978 UN.

For this project, we combined our earlier single-end read RNAseq data with the ddrR paired-end reads and aligned these data to the improved 17978 UN genome assembly that resembled our laboratory strain, 17978 JH.

New DESeq2 analyses verified previous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) but also found 339 genes in 17978 JH that were not annotated or physically present in the older genome assembly. Sixty-three were differentially expressed after DNA damage, and 182 had differential basal expression when comparing umuDAb, ddrR, or recA strains to wildtype, with 94 genes’ expression unchanged. This work identified and characterized the 55 gene DNA damage-repressible transcriptome, 98% of which required either umuDAb or ddrR for repression. Two-thirds of these DEGs required both regulators. We also identified 110 genes repressed only in the ddrR strain, ~50% of which were due to increased basal expression levels. Basal gene expression in the ddrR mutant was further dysregulated independent of the DDR. Over 800 genes were upregulated, and over 1200 genes were downregulated compared to wildtype expression. Half of A. baumannii’s essential genes were upregulated in the ddrR strain, including cell division genes, and two-thirds of these were downregulated in the umuDAb strain.

The ddrR mutant upregulated genes enriched in translation, RNA metabolism, protein metabolism, AA/FA/cell-structure synthesis, and transport, while downregulating genes enriched in quorum sensing, biofilm production, secretion systems, pilus production, cell adhesion, and aromatics and chlorine degradation. Our data underscore the need for accurate and appropriately matched genome assemblies and indicate that ddrR affects approximately 60% of the genome, rendering it a potential target for Acinetobacter baumannii infection treatment.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1324091 Save to Pocket

---

Urine microbiome in individuals with an impaired immune system

date: 2024-01-11, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

With the advent of next generation sequencing, it is now appreciated that human urine is not sterile. Recent investigations of the urinary microbiome (urobiome) have provided insights into several urological diseases. Urobiome dysbiosis, defined as non-optimal urine microbiome composition, has been observed in many disorders; however, it is not clear whether this dysbiosis is the cause of urinary tract disorders or a consequence. In addition, immunologically altered disorders are associated with higher rates of urinary tract infections. These disorders include immunoproliferative and immunodeficiency diseases, cancer, and immunosuppressant therapy in transplant recipients. In this review, we examine the current state of knowledge of the urobiome in immunologically altered diseases, its composition and metabolomic consequences. We conclude that more data are required to describe the urobiome in immune altered states, knowledge that could facilitate understanding the role of the urobiome and its pathophysiological effects on urinary tract infections and other disorders of the urinary tract.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1308665 Save to Pocket

---

Streptomyces albireticuli lung infection managed as a pulmonary air cyst: a case report and literature review

date: 2024-01-11, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

Streptomyces, the largest genus in the Streptomycetaceae family and a prolific producer of antibacterial drugs, is a saprophytic soil organism that rarely causes invasive infections. Here we report a case of necrotic pneumonia caused by Streptomyces albireticuli in a 75-year-old man who presented with progressive chest tightness and dyspnea. Streptomyces albireticuli was isolated from his bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and identified through whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and phylogenetic analysis. The patient responded satisfactorily to clarithromycin therapy. The findings of this study may enhance our vigilance in identifying visceral infections caused by Streptomyces.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1296491 Save to Pocket

---

Lysosomal trafficking regulator restricts intracellular growth of Coxiella burnetii by inhibiting the expansion of Coxiella-containing vacuole and upregulating nos2 expression

date: 2024-01-11, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes Q fever, a zoonotic disease typically manifests as a severe flu-illness. After invading into the host cells, C. burnetii delivers effectors to regulate the vesicle trafficking and fusion events to form a large and mature Coxiella-containing vacuole (CCV), providing sufficient space and nutrition for its intracellular growth and proliferation. Lysosomal trafficking regulator (LYST) is a member of the Beige and Chediak-Higashi syndrome (BEACH) family, which regulates the transport of vesicles to lysosomes and regulates TLR signaling pathway, but the effect of LYST on C. burnetii infection is unclear. In this study, a series of experiments has been conducted to investigate the influence of LYST on intracellular growth of C. burnetii. Our results showed that lyst transcription was up-regulated in the host cells after C. burnetii infection, but there is no significant change in lyst expression level after infection with the Dot/Icm type IV secretion system (T4SS) mutant strain, while CCVs expansion and significantly increasing load of C. burnetii appeared in the host cells with a silenced lyst gene, suggesting LYST inhibits the intracellular proliferation of C. burnetii by reducing CCVs size. Then, the size of CCVs and the load of C. burnetii in the HeLa cells pretreated with E-64d were significantly decreased. In addition, the level of iNOS was decreased significantly in LYST knockout THP-1 cells, which was conducive to the intracellular replication of C. burnetii. This data is consistent with the phenotype of L-NMMA-treated THP-1 cells infected with C. burnetii. Our results revealed that the upregulation of lyst transcription after infection is due to effector secretion of C. burnetii and LYST inhibit the intracellular replication of C. burnetii by reducing the size of CCVs and inducing nos2 expression.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1336600 Save to Pocket

---

Genetic evidence on the causality between gut microbiota and various asthma phenotypes: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

date: 2024-01-11, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

Asthma is a multifarious disease that manifests in various phenotypes. Among the various factors that contribute to the development of asthma, the gut microbiota has recently emerged as a compelling area of investigation. This study aims to investigate the causal relationships between gut microbiota and distinct asthma phenotypes.

The genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for 211 gut microbial taxa were used as study exposure. Five traits pertaining to various asthma phenotypes (asthma, allergic asthma, childhood asthma, suggestive for eosinophilic asthma and obesity-related asthma) were included as study outcome. We conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and sensitivity analysis for each bacterial taxa and asthma phenotypes.

We discovered a total of 58 associations that exhibited evidence of causality. Out of these, 4 associations remained significant even after applying multiple correction. An increased risk of asthma was causally associated with higher abundance of genus Holdemanella (OR = 1.11; CI: 1.05-1.17; p = 0.027), genus Oxalobacter (OR = 1.09; CI: 1.04-1.15; p = 0.025) and genus Butyricimonas (OR = 1.14; CI: 1.06-1.22; p = 0.027). Order NB1n was causally linked with an increased risk of obesity-related asthma (OR = 1.17; CI: 1.07-1.29; p = 0.015). There was limited overlap among the taxa that exhibited potential causal relationships with distinct asthma phenotypes.

Our research has provided genetic evidence that establishes multiple causal relationships between the gut microbiota and distinct asthma phenotypes, supporting the role of the gut microbiota in various asthma phenotypes. It is possible that different taxa play a role in the development of distinct asthma phenotypes. The causal relationships identified in this study require further investigation.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1270067 Save to Pocket

---

Gut microbiome-based noninvasive diagnostic model to predict acute coronary syndromes

date: 2024-01-11, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

Previous studies have shown that alterations in the gut microbiota are closely associated with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) development. However, the value of gut microbiota for early diagnosis of ACS remains understudied.

We recruited 66 volunteers, including 29 patients with a first diagnosis of ACS and 37 healthy volunteers during the same period, collected their fecal samples, and sequenced the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Functional prediction of the microbiota was performed using PICRUSt2. Subsequently, we constructed a nomogram and corresponding webpage based on microbial markers to assist in the diagnosis of ACS. The diagnostic performance and usefulness of the model were analyzed using boostrap internal validation, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Compared to that of healthy controls, the diversity and composition of microbial community of patients with ACS was markedly abnormal. Potentially pathogenic genera such as Streptococcus and Acinetobacter were significantly increased in the ACS group, whereas certain SCFA-producing genera such as Blautia and Agathobacter were depleted. In addition, in the correlation analysis with clinical indicators, the microbiota was observed to be associated with the level of inflammation and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Finally, a diagnostic model for ACS based on gut microbiota and clinical variables was developed with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.963 (95% CI: 0.925–1) and an AUC value of 0.948 (95% CI: 0.549–0.641) for bootstrap internal validation. The calibration curves of the model show good consistency between the actual and predicted probabilities. The DCA showed that the model had a high net clinical benefit for clinical applications.

Our study is the first to characterize the composition and function of the gut microbiota in patients with ACS and healthy populations in Southwest China and demonstrates the potential effect of the microbiota as a non-invasive marker for the early diagnosis of ACS.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1305375 Save to Pocket

---

A novel enemy of cancer: recent investigations into protozoan anti-tumor properties

date: 2024-01-11, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

Cancer remains a significant global health issue, despite advances in screening and treatment. While existing tumor treatment protocols such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy have proven effective in enhancing the prognosis for some patients, these treatments do not benefit all patients. Consequently, certain types of cancer continue to exhibit a relatively low 5-year survival rate. Therefore, the pursuit of novel tumor intervention strategies may help improve the current effectiveness of tumor treatment. Over the past few decades, numerous species of protozoa and their components have exhibited anti-tumor potential via immune and non-immune mechanisms. This discovery introduces a new research direction for the development of new and effective cancer treatments. Through in vitro experiments and studies involving tumor-bearing mice, the anti-tumor ability of Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium, Trypanosoma cruzi, and other protozoa have unveiled diverse mechanisms by which protozoa combat cancer, demonstrating encouraging prospects for their application. In this review, we summarize the anti-tumor ability and anti-tumor mechanisms of various protozoa and explore the potential for their clinical development and application.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1325144 Save to Pocket

---

PGConf.dev 2024 - CFP Closing & Registration Open!

date: 2024-01-11, from: PostgreSQL News

PGConf.dev 2024 (May 28 - 31, 2024, Vancouver, CA), aka PostgreSQL Development Conference 2024, is an event focused on PostgreSQL development and contributing to the PostgreSQL community. The successor to PGCon, PGConf.dev offers a collaborative and fun environment to discuss future development for PostgreSQL!

Want to submit a talk, or waiting to the last minute to submit a talk? The last minute is here! The call for papers is closing very soon! You can submit a talk through Jan 15, 2024.

We’re looking for talk submissions focused on PostgreSQL development and contributing to the community: upcoming PostgreSQL features, recently committed work, and community-building focused talks. The audience ranges from new to longtime PostgreSQL contributors, and we expect many talks to be more intermediate to advanced level on technical topics. We will also have introductory talks on how to get started contributing to PostgreSQL!

Even if you’ve never presented at a PostgreSQL event before, we’d love to hear your ideas and can provide help on getting your presentation ready!

You can submit your talk ideas here:

https://2024.pgconf.dev/cfp/

PGConf.dev 2024 is not possible without the generous support of our sponsors. PGConf.dev is the premier worldwide gathering of PostgreSQL contributors, and is a chance to collaborate on upcoming PostgreSQL development. Your sponsorship helps directly with the ongoing development of PostgreSQL. Sponsorship info is available on the sponsorship page, or you can contact us at sponsors@pgconf.dev:

https://2024.pgconf.dev/sponsor-levels/

Can’t wait to participate in PGConf.dev 2024? Registration is now open! You can register for the conference here:

https://2024.pgconf.dev/registration/

We look forward to seeing you in Vancouver in May!

https://www.postgresql.org/about/news/pgconfdev-2024-cfp-closing-registration-open-2787/ Save to Pocket

---

pg_dumpbinary v2.14 released

date: 2024-01-11, from: PostgreSQL News

Zurich, Switzerland - January 10th, 2024

pg_dumpbinary

pg_dumpbinary dumps a PostgreSQL database to a binary format. The resulting dump must be restored using pg_restorebinary, which is provided.

pg_dumpbinary 2.14 was released today, it adds two new options and fixes some bugs reported by users since last release.

• Add new option –with-child, when -t or -T options are used, to include or exclude child and partition tables. pg_dump will be used instead with options –table-and-children or –exclude-table-and-children. It requires PostgreSQL >= 16.
• Add -V, –verbose option that lists tables included in the dump.
• Add -A, –attach SNAPSHOT to be able to attach pg_dumpbinary to an existing snapshot instead of creating a dedicated one.
• Fix dump failure when sequences name have spaces.

A full list of changes and acknowledgments can be found here

pg_dumpbinary is useful when:

• You have bytea that can not be exported by pg_dump because the total size of the escape/hex output exceeds 1Gb.
• You have custom type that stores \0 internally in bytea but data are exported by pg_dump as char/varchar/text. In this case pg_dump truncates all data after the first ‘\0’, resulting in data loss.
• Other cases where a binary output format is useful.

In these kinds of cases pg_dumpbinary helps by dumping the PostgreSQL database in a binary format. In all other cases the pg_dump/pg_restore commands distributed with PostgreSQL are preferred.

See the documentation for a more complete description of available features.

Links & Credits

pg_dumpbinary is an Open Source project from LzLabs GmbH. Contributions and ideas are welcome. Send your ideas, features requests, or patches using GitHub’s tools.

Links :

• Documentation: https://github.com/lzlabs/pg_dumpbinary/blob/master/README.md
• Download: https://github.com/lzlabs/pg_dumpbinary/releases/
• Support: use GitHub report tool at https://github.com/lzlabs/pg_dumpbinary/pg_dumpbinary/issues

https://www.postgresql.org/about/news/pg_dumpbinary-v214-released-2784/ Save to Pocket

---

Greenmask v0.1.0 Release

date: 2024-01-11, from: PostgreSQL News

PostgreSQL Dump and Obfuscation Tool

We are excited to announce the release of Greenmask v0.1.0, marking the first production-ready version. This release addresses various bug fixes, introduces improvements, and includes documentation refactoring for enhanced clarity.

Greenmask overview

Key Features

• Cross-Platform Support: Developed in Go, Greenmask is free of platform dependencies.
• Type-Safe Database Operations: Ensures data validation and encoding, maintaining integrity.
• Transformation Validation: Guarantees correct and maintainable data transformations.
• Partitioned Table Support: Eases configuration for partitioned tables.
• Stateless and Backward Compatible: Compatible with standard PostgreSQL utilities.
• Parallel Execution: Boosts efficiency in dumping and restoration processes.
• Multiple Storage Options: Offers support for both local and remote storage solutions.

Use Cases

• Perfect for routine backup and restoration tasks.
• Aids in anonymization and data masking for staging environments and analytics.

Release notes

Improvements

• Improved verbosity in custom transformer interaction, accumulating stderr data and forwarding it in batches instead of writing it one by one.
• Added positional arguments for the list-transformers command, allowing specific transformer information retrieval (e.g., greenmask list-transformers RandomDate).
• Added version parameter –version that prints greenmask utility version
• Added Numeric parameters support for Int and Float transformers, with the caveat that in a few cases, it may lead to out-of-range errors.

Changes

• Updated dependencies to newer versions.
• Enhanced the stability of the JSON line interaction protocol by utilizing the stdlib JSON encoder/decoder.
• Modified the method for sending table metadata to custom transformers; now, it is sent via stdin in the first line in JSON format instead of providing it via command arguments.
• Refactored template functions naming.
• Rewritten NoiseDate transformer implementation for improved stability and predictability.
• Changed the default value for the Dict transformer fail_not_matched parameter to true.
• Rewritten Hash transformer, now providing a salt parameter and receiving a base64 encoded salt. If a salt is not provided, it generates one randomly.
• Added validator for NoiseDate and RandomDate transformers for the truncate parameter, issuing a warning if the provided value is invalid.
• Increased verbosity of parameter validation warnings, now properly forwarding warnings to stdout.

Fixes

• Resolved pgx driver connection leakage issue.
• Fixed deletion failure of dumps for S3 storage.
• Corrected cobra autocompletion for the Greenmask utility.
• Fixed NOT NULL constraint validation.
• Addressed JSON API interaction issues that previously caused deadlocks and timeouts.
• Fixed encode-decoding for binary parameters, ensuring accurate forwarding of values to custom transformers.
• Fixed the RandomChoice transformer to correctly marshal and unmarshal values during validation.
• Introduced the Nullable property for the SetNull transformer to enhance NOT NULL constraint validation.
• Resolved text wrapping issues for the validate command.
• Fixed build failures on Windows due to Linux platform dependencies.
• Corrected stdout readline buffer reading during interaction with custom transformers.
• Fixed integration tests.

Ecosystem Changes

• Implemented CI/CD for the entire project.
• Established a user-friendly playground in Docker-compose, including:
• Deployed Minio storage container.
• PostgreSQL container containing both the original database (Adventure Works) and the transformed (empty DB).
• Greenmask container itself.
• Refactored current readme files.

Community Participation

We highly value feedback and suggestions from the PostgreSQL community. Your insights and testing are crucial for enhancing Greenmask’s robustness and utility.

Useful Links

• Documentation
• Release on GitHub
• Email Support

https://www.postgresql.org/about/news/greenmask-v010-release-2785/ Save to Pocket

---

@Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed (date: 2024-01-10, from: Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed)

Part 3 of Godot on iPad design post is out:

This time I discuss the ScenePad:

https://blog.la-terminal.net/igodot-scenepad/

https://mastodon.social/@Migueldeicaza/111734364079598046 Save to Pocket

---

Digging Out: Newsom Outlines Plan To Cover State Budget Deficit

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The LAist

Gov. Newsom says the deficit is far smaller than what the Legislature’s analysts projected, and proposes only $8.5 billion in cuts by delaying spending and taking $13 billion from the state’s main reserves.

https://laist.com/news/politics/digging-out-newsom-outlines-plan-to-cover-state-budget-deficit Save to Pocket

---

GodotOS: an operating system interface made in Godot

date: 2024-01-10, from: OS News

Welcome to GodotOS, an operating system interface created entirely in Godot! Browse folders, edit text files, view images, play games, and more in one cohesive polished interface that can even be used on the web! GodotOS is more of a toy than a serious project. It’s meant to push the limits on UI design in Godot while creating a desktop that is minimalist, distraction-free, and aesthetically pleasing. Aside from that, GodotOS is also meant to be a hub for small games and experiences that can easily be bundled in. ↫ GodotOS GitHub page You can try the online version right here, but also download it and use it that way instead.

https://www.osnews.com/story/138263/godotos-an-operating-system-interface-made-in-godot/ Save to Pocket

---

SAP to cough up $220M to drag bribery charges into recycle bin

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Enterprise software giant claims it has cut ties with bad apples

Enterprise software giant SAP has agreed to pay at least $220 million to settle bribery charges brought by the US Justice Department (DOJ), the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/sap_bribery_settlement/ Save to Pocket

---

Fidelity National now says 1.3M customers had data stolen by cyber-crooks

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

It’s still not calling it ransomware

Fidelity National Financial now says criminals got hold of data belonging to 1.3 million customers after breaking into its IT network in November.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/fidelity_data_disclosure/ Save to Pocket

---

The Rabbit R1 is an AI-powered gadget that’s like a cross between…

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/0043763-the-rabbit-r1-is-an Save to Pocket

---

Vcc: the Vulkan Clang Compiler

date: 2024-01-10, from: OS News

Vcc – the Vulkan Clang Compiler, is a proof-of-concept C and C++ compiler for Vulkan leveraging Clang as a front-end, and Shady our own research IR and compiler. Unlike other shading languages, Vcc aims to stick closely to standard C/C++ languages and merely adds a few new intrinsics to cover GPU features. Vcc is similar to CUDA or Metal in this regard, and aims to bring the advantages of standard host languages to Vulkan shaders. ↫ The Vcc website Note that this project is a work in progress, and has several limitations the project’s open about.

https://www.osnews.com/story/138260/vcc-the-vulkan-clang-compiler/ Save to Pocket

---

The biggest smallest PNG

date: 2024-01-10, from: OS News

A few days ago, my former coworker Evan Hahn posted “The world’s smallest PNG”, an article walking through the minimum required elements of the PNG image format. He gave away the answer in the very first line: However (spoilers!) he later points out that there are several valid 67-byte PNGs, such as a 1×1 all-white image, or an 8×1 all-black image, or a 1×1 gray image. All of these exploit the fact that you can’t have less than one byte of pixel data, so you might as well use all eight bits of it. Clever! However again…are we really limited to one byte of pixel data? ↫ Jordan Rose You know where this is going.

https://www.osnews.com/story/138257/the-biggest-smallest-png/ Save to Pocket

---

If you’re gonna use AI-made stuff in your game, you better tell us, says Steam

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

And pinky swear there’s no copyright-infringing material

Developers must disclose all AI-generated art, code, or music used in their games for Steam to review before their titles can be publicly released via the software souk.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/developers_steam_ai/ Save to Pocket

---

Could OpenAI’s nonprofit be forced to dissolve?

date: 2024-01-10, from: Gary Marcus blog

Big news today, via Stephanie Palazzolo at The Information: the group Public Citizen yesterday petitioned the state California to reevaluate OpenAI’s nonprofit status. As Robert Weissman, the President of Public Citizen put it to me on a phone call, the OpenAI drama seemed in part to be a showdown between for profit and nonprofit aspects of the organization; it is not clear that organization as whole has remained true to its nonprofit mission. “I don’t think it’s a radical argument we are making. There was a competition here and the faction that won wanted to pursue profit.”

https://garymarcus.substack.com/p/could-openais-nonprofit-be-forced Save to Pocket

---

UGREEN’s network attached storage (NAS) devices feature 12th-gen Intel processors, M.2 SSD support, and DDR5 memory

date: 2024-01-10, from: Liliputing

UGREEN is a company that’s best known for making USB chargers, hubs, docks, and power banks. But now UGREEN is branching out into network attached storage (NAS) hardware. The company is showing off the first models in the UGREEN NASync lineup at CES 2024, and plans to launch them soon with a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. […]

The post UGREEN’s network attached storage (NAS) devices feature 12th-gen Intel processors, M.2 SSD support, and DDR5 memory appeared first on Liliputing.

https://liliputing.com/ugreens-network-attached-storage-nas-devices-feature-12th-gen-intel-processors-m-2-ssd-support-and-ddr5-memory/ Save to Pocket

---

Farm-to-Table Prison Food

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/farm-to-table-prison-food Save to Pocket

---

2023 Broke Temperature Records. Will 2024 Be Even More Extreme?

date: 2024-01-10, from: Smithsonian Magazine

Climate scientists have confirmed that last year’s heat was unprecedented, surpassing records by a wide margin—but it could be one of the coolest years to come

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/2023-broke-temperature-records-will-2024-be-even-more-extreme-180983572/ Save to Pocket

---

13-Year-Old Prodigy Willis ‘Blue Scuti’ Gibson Is First to Beat NES Tetris

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-11, from: Daring Fireball

https://www.404media.co/13-year-old-becomes-first-person-to-ever-beat-tetris/ Save to Pocket

---

Researchers Install Ransomware on Internet-Connected Wrench

date: 2024-01-10, from: 404 Media Group

“We were able to make the device completely inoperable by preventing a local operator from controlling the drill through the onboard display and disabling the trigger button.”

https://www.404media.co/dr1llcrypt-researchers-install-ransomware-on-internet-connected-wrench/ Save to Pocket

---

Trump-era rules reversed on treating gig workers as contractors

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

$ gig revert HEAD && gig commit -e ‘Biden was here’

The US Department of Labor (DOL) on Tuesday issued a rule for determining at what point workers should be classified as employees or independent contractors under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/us_dol_gig_worker_rule/ Save to Pocket

---

Absolute Immunity Is Anathema to America

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: One Foot Tsunami

https://onefoottsunami.com/2024/01/10/absolute-immunity-is-anathema-to-america/ Save to Pocket

---

US Senator Menendez Seeks Dismissal of Criminal Charges

date: 2024-01-10, from: VOA News USA

NEW YORK — Senator Bob Menendez on Wednesday sought dismissal of charges, including bribery, as his lawyers told a judge that New York federal prosecutors are making claims that are “outrageously false” and “distort reality.”

The New Jersey Democrat and his wife pleaded not guilty after they were charged last fall with accepting bribes of gold bars, cash and a luxury car in return for help from the senator that would benefit three New Jersey businessmen, who were also arrested and pleaded not guilty.

The indictment has since been updated with charges alleging that Menendez used his political influence to secretly advance Egypt’s interests and that he acted favorably to Qatar’s government to aid a businessman.

“The Senator stands behind all of his official actions and decisions, and will be proud to defend them at trial,” the lawyers wrote.

A trial is scheduled for May 5. Menendez is free on $100,000 bail.

Menendez’s lawyers said in court papers that their client’s conduct was “constitutionally immune,” and none of it could serve as the basis for criminal charges.

“The government’s accusations in this case — that he sold his office and even sold out his nation — are outrageously false, and indeed distort reality,” the lawyers wrote.

They said the government is free to prosecute members of Congress for agreeing to exchange legislative action for personal benefits, as long as it doesn’t attack the integrity of the legislative acts themselves.

“But here, the Indictment does not try to walk that line; it flouts it entirely,” the lawyers said.

They said prosecutors were wrong to charge Menendez in connection with his decision to contact local state prosecutors to advocate on behalf of New Jersey constituents or to use his decision to invite constituents to meetings with foreign dignitaries as evidence against him.

“And the government goes so far as to impugn the Senator for introducing constituents to investors abroad. None of this is illegal, or even improper,” the lawyers wrote.

The indictment claims Menendez directly interfered in criminal investigations, including by pushing to install a federal prosecutor in New Jersey he believed could be influenced in a criminal case against a businessman and associate of the senator. Prosecutors also alleged that Menendez tried to use his position of power to meddle in a separate criminal investigation by the New Jersey Attorney General’s office.

Menendez’s lawyers said the novel charge that Menendez conspired with his wife and a businessman to act as an agent of the Egyptian government “fundamentally disrupts the separation of powers.”

Menendez, 70, was forced to step down from his powerful post leading the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after he was charged in September. Prosecutors said the senator and his wife, Nadine Menendez, accepted bribes over the past five years from the New Jersey businessmen in exchange for a variety of corrupt acts.

In October, he was charged with conspiring to act as an agent of the Egyptian government. As a member of Congress, Menendez is prohibited from acting as an agent for a foreign government.

His lawyers said in their Manhattan federal court filing Wednesday that the charge empowers the executive and judicial branches of government to second-guess the way the senator chooses to engage with foreign representatives as he carries out his duties.

As an example, the lawyers said that a future president might decide to prosecute legislative enemies as agents of Ukraine for supporting aid during its war with Russia or as agents of China for resisting a proposed ban of TikTok, or as agents of Israel for supporting military aid to fight Hamas.

“The Court should not permit this novel and dangerous encroachment on legislative independence,” the lawyers said.

They said there was “overwhelming, indisputable evidence” that Menendez was independent from any foreign official.

“As the government knows from its own investigation, far from doing Egypt’s bidding during the life of the alleged conspiracy, the Senator repeatedly held up military aid and took Egypt to task, challenging its government’s record for imprisoning political dissidents, running roughshod over the press, and other human rights abuses,” they said.

The lawyers said that their arguments Wednesday were just the start of legal challenges to be filed in the next week, including claims that the indictment was filed in the wrong courthouse and unjustly groups separate schemes into single conspiracy counts.

A spokesperson for prosecutors declined to comment.

https://www.voanews.com/a/us-senator-menendez-seeks-dismissal-of-criminal-charges/7434692.html Save to Pocket

---

Paku Paku — Pac-Man in One Dimension

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-11, from: Daring Fireball

https://abagames.github.io/crisp-game-lib-11-games/?pakupaku Save to Pocket

---

The 2024 Razer Blade 14 gaming laptop is a lot like 2023 model… but with more AI

date: 2024-01-10, from: Liliputing

Razer is upgrading its gaming laptop lineup, with new processors for all models and improved displays for models with larger screens. The Razer Blade 16, for example, is the first laptop with a 16 inch, 240 Hz OLED display. Meanwhile the company’s smallest gaming laptop is getting a much smaller spec bump. The new Razer […]

The post The 2024 Razer Blade 14 gaming laptop is a lot like 2023 model… but with more AI appeared first on Liliputing.

https://liliputing.com/the-2024-razer-blade-14-gaming-laptop-is-a-lot-like-2023-model-but-with-more-ai/ Save to Pocket

---

My new superpower (FPGAs)

date: 2024-01-10, from: Tilde.news

Comments

https://zeromips.org/posts/2024-01-08-superpower/ Save to Pocket

---

Fixing Continuity Camera

date: 2024-01-10, from: Michael Tsai

Niléane: Continuity Camera became a feature that I need to work reliably. Sadly, it doesn’t. Half of the time, apps like Zoom and Discord on macOS could not see the iPhone SE in the list of available cameras. This meant I had to fetch a Lightning cable to manually connect the iPhone. If I was […]

https://mjtsai.com/blog/2024/01/10/fixing-continuity-camera/ Save to Pocket

---

Mac App Sandboxing Interferes With Drag & Drop

date: 2024-01-10, from: Michael Tsai

Wade Tregaskis: Merely inspecting the UTIs in the pasteboard is fine – that doesn’t interfere with anything. So if all you care about is if any kind of file (or folder) is being dragged, you’re set. But if you want to only react to some types of files or folders, you need to know more. […]

https://mjtsai.com/blog/2024/01/10/mac-app-sandboxing-interferes-with-drag-drop/ Save to Pocket

---

Apple’s Five App Stores

date: 2024-01-10, from: Michael Tsai

Manish Singh and Natasha Lomas (via Slashdot): The iPhone-maker has updated the language pertaining to its risk factors in the fiscal year 2023 Form 10-K filing (PDF), with the revised text presenting a shift from the company’s previous position, indicating a more definitive stance on potential modifications to the App Store policies.Apple said that future […]

https://mjtsai.com/blog/2024/01/10/apples-five-app-stores/ Save to Pocket

---

Google Settles Incognito Lawsuit

date: 2024-01-10, from: Michael Tsai

Simon Sharwood: A US court filing [PDF] dated December 26 records that Google and the plaintiffs have agreed to a term sheet that, if approved by the judge, will conclude the matter. Those terms of the proposed settlement weren’t disclosed. But the parties seem sufficiently confident a deal will be done that another filing vacates […]

https://mjtsai.com/blog/2024/01/10/google-settles-incognito-lawsuit/ Save to Pocket

---

Building Used by Marie Curie Saved From Demolition

date: 2024-01-10, from: Smithsonian Magazine

Cultural heritage supporters are hoping to see the facility listed as a protected site

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/building-used-by-marie-curie-saved-from-demolition-180983565/ Save to Pocket

---

Uncle Sam tells hospitals: Meet security standards or no federal dollars for you

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Expect new rules in upcoming weeks

US hospitals will be required to meet basic cybersecurity standards before receiving federal funding, according to rules the White House is expected to propose in the next few weeks.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/us_hospitals_security_rules/ Save to Pocket

---

@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-01-10, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)

The block editor is still not a page builder.

https://www.briancoords.com/the-block-editor-is-still-not-a-page-builder/ Save to Pocket

---

Snow in West, Flooding in East — Here’s How US Is Coping With Massive Storm

date: 2024-01-10, from: VOA News USA

CONCORD, New Hampshire — A major storm drenched the Northeast and slammed it with fierce winds, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands following a bout of violent weather that struck most of the U.S. 

The storm, which started Tuesday night and was moving out Wednesday, washed out roads and took down trees and power lines. Wind gusts reached 72 kph to 88 kph and more windy weather was expected throughout Wednesday. 

It followed a day of tornadoes and deadly accidents in the South and blizzards in the Midwest and Northwest. In some parts of the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies, more than about 75 centimeters of snow fell. 

Here’s how various areas are being affected by the storms: 

New Jersey

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm. Many streets and roads were flooded, and rivers were rising after some areas got up to 7.6 centimeters of rain since Tuesday night. The rain fell on ground saturated by another storm a few weeks ago. Another storm is forecast for the weekend. 

Lou DeFazio, 65, of Manville, New Jersey, lives steps away from the Millstone River that flooded disastrously in 2021 after the remnants of Ida slammed into the state and swerved riverbanks. 

“It’s getting worse and worse,” he said, as the river swelled Wednesday. 

Murphy said 56,000 homes were without power and several hundred accidents and highway assists were reported, but no storm deaths. He said people often ignore flood warnings, to their peril. 

“And we saw in the storm Ida, people pay with their lives by driving their cars into a street they shouldn’t have, or staying in their home when they shouldn’t have,” Murphy said in an interview with CBS New York. 

New York

In Nassau County, video showed cars sloshing through water that had collected on the streets of Freeport. Further east, near the Hamptons, the National Weather Service reported major flooding out of Shinnecock Bay. Several schools across Long Island were either canceling or delaying classes as a result of the storm. 

New York City officials evacuated nearly 2,000 migrants housed at a sprawling tent complex before the storm hit amid fears that the facility could collapse in heavy winds. 

Photos showed the migrant families sleeping on the floor of a Brooklyn high school, whose students were forced to go remote on Wednesday as a result of the brief relocation. The migrants returned to the tent facility at about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday after the winds had subsided, officials said. 

Pennsylvania 

A couple of Pennsylvania communities got more than 10 centimeters of rain and others received nearly that amount. Emergency responders rescued some drivers from stranded vehicles as roads flooded in low-lying areas, and downed trees and wires cut power to thousands of customers. 

Forecasters said several rivers in eastern Pennsylvania saw at least moderate flooding. Another storm bringing as much as 3.8 centimeters of rain Friday night through Saturday would exacerbate flooding and bring very strong winds, officials said. 

New England

A dam breach in Bozrah, Connecticut, prompted mandatory evacuation orders Wednesday for several areas along the Yantic River, Norwich officials said. A power company shut down a substation along the river leaving about 5,000 homes and businesses without power. 

The storm canceled events and government functions in Maine, where some areas were still recovering from a snowstorm over the weekend and flooding the previous month. 

Winds gusted to 153 kph at Maine’s Isle au Haut, an island in Penobscot Bay, said Jon Palmer from the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine. At the state’s largest airport, high winds pushed an empty passenger aircraft into a jet bridge, Portland Jetport officials said Wednesday. No one was hurt. 

At parking lot near Widgery Wharf on the Portland’s waterfront, lobster fishermen attempted to turn back some of the flooding using pumps. 

Maine Gov. Janet Mills encouraged residents to stay off the roads amid flash flood warnings. 

“Please be sure to give plow trucks, utility crews, and emergency first responders plenty of space as they work to keep us safe,” she said. 

In Vermont, the storm brought wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour and heaving wet snow, followed by rain, leaving nearly 30,000 homes without power Wednesday morning. Many schools were closed or had delayed openings. 

Midwest 

Slushy highways led to fatal collisions in Wisconsin and another in Michigan. 

The storm, which began Monday, buried cities across the Midwest in snow, stranding people on highways. Some areas saw up to 30 centimeters of snow on Monday, including Kansas, eastern Nebraska and South Dakota, western Iowa, and southwestern Minnesota. 

Madison, Wisconsin, was under a winter storm warning until early Wednesday, with as much as 23 centimeters of snow and 64 kph winds on tap. 

The weather has already affected campaigning for Iowa’s January 15 precinct caucuses, where the snow is expected to be followed by frigid temperatures that could drift below minus 18 Celsius. 

Forecasters warned snow-struck regions of the Midwest and the Great Plains that temperatures could plunge dangerously low because of wind chill, dipping to around minus 29 Celsius and even far lower in Chicago, Kansas City and some areas of Montana. 

South 

Several deaths have been blamed on storms that struck the area with heavy rain, tornado reports, hail and wind. Survey teams were heading out Wednesday in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina to determine whether tornados struck, National Weather Service officials said. 

An 81-year-old woman in Alabama was killed when her mobile home was tossed from its foundation by a suspected tornado. A man died south of Atlanta when a tree fell on his car. Another person died in North Carolina after a suspected tornado struck a mobile home park. 

Roofs were blown off homes, furniture, fences and debris were strewn about during the height of the storm in the South. 

Many areas of Florida remained under flood watches, warnings and advisories early Wednesday amid concerns that streams and rivers were topping their banks. Gov. Ron DeSantis, who gave his State of the State address Tuesday as tornado warnings were active outside the Capitol, issued an executive order to include 49 counties in North Florida under a state of emergency. 

Rescuers in Virginia pulled two people from flood waters, where they were clinging to branches after their vehicle flooded and they were then swept from its roof, according to the Albemarle County Fire Rescue. They weren’t injured but were in the water for at least 10 minutes, according to spokesperson Abbey Stumpf. 

West

Storms in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains dumped snow, including 74 centimeters reported at Stevens Pass in Washington state and 76 centimeters outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico, according to the National Weather Service. 

Authorities issued warnings for very dangerous avalanche conditions in mountainous areas of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Washington and Oregon. Backcountry travelers were advised to stay off steep slopes and away from the bottom of steep slopes. 

In areas of northern Montana, temperatures could drop below minus 30 degrees (minus 34 Celsius) by Saturday morning. High temperatures were expected to remain below freezing as far south as Oklahoma.

https://www.voanews.com/a/snow-in-west-flooding-in-east-here-s-how-us-is-coping-with-massive-storm/7434624.html Save to Pocket

---

@Dave Winer’s Scripting News (date: 2024-01-10, from: Dave Winer’s Scripting News)

It would be better if journalists did not gravitate to a Facebook-owned Twitter clone.

http://scripting.com/2024/01/10.html#a201705 Save to Pocket

---

Public Libraries Reveal the Most Borrowed Books From 2023. If you look…

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/0043757-public-libraries-reveal-t Save to Pocket

---

Be honest. Would you pay off a ransomware crew?

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Today us vultures are debating bans on ransom payments, deplorable tactics by extortionists, and more

Kettle  Believe us, we wish there was a simple solution that could stop ransomware dead in its tracks for good.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/ransomware_kettle/ Save to Pocket

---

Origin, a Film by Ava DuVernay About Isabel Wilkerson

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/origin-a-film-by-ava-duvernay-about-isabel-wilkerson Save to Pocket

---

Daily Deals (1-10-2024)

date: 2024-01-10, from: Liliputing

Most major PC makers have announced new laptops during CES 2024, most of which will ship with the latest Intel or AMD mobile processors. But unless you really need a built-in neural processing unit (or better integrated graphics in the case of Intel’s Meteor Lake chips), the new processors aren’t really that much faster than […]

The post Daily Deals (1-10-2024) appeared first on Liliputing.

https://liliputing.com/daily-deals-1-10-2024/ Save to Pocket

---

The Houston Landing’s newsroom is “blindsided” by the firing of its top editor and a star reporter

date: 2024-01-10, from: Nieman Journalism Lab

Before the Houston Landing even had a name, it was already powered by one of the biggest investments in any single nonprofit local news startup. A full year before launch, the project had secured $20 million in pledged funding from a coalition of local and national backers. This week, newsroom staffers were shocked when Mizanur…

https://www.niemanlab.org/2024/01/the-houston-landings-newsroom-is-blindsided-by-the-firing-of-its-top-editor-and-a-star-reporter/ Save to Pocket

---

Hunter Biden Makes Surprise Visit to Capitol Hill as GOP Takes First Step to Hold Him in Contempt

date: 2024-01-10, from: VOA News USA

Washington — Hunter Biden made a surprise visit to a Capitol Hill hearing Wednesday as Republicans were taking the first step toward holding President Joe Biden’s son in contempt of Congress for defying a congressional subpoena in a bitterly contested standoff.

The arrival of president’s son at the Oversight Committee, sitting in the audience with his legal team, including attorney Abbe Lowell, sent the panel that is working to impeach President Biden into a political frenzy.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace insisted that Hunter Biden be quickly arrested. GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called him a coward as he left during her remarks. Democratic lawmakers argued that Biden, who has refused to testify to the panel behind closed doors, should be allowed to speak publicly.

Hunter Biden has defended his lack of compliance with the GOP-issued subpoena, which ordered him to appear for closed-door testimony in mid-December. Biden and his attorneys said information from private interviews can be selectively leaked and manipulated by House Republicans and insisted that he would only testify in public.

On Wednesday, Committee Chairman James Comer struggled to regain control. “Mr. Biden doesn’t make the rules, we make the rules,” he said.

The House Oversight and Judiciary committees will each vote on contempt resolutions that seem likely to result in the U.S. House recommending criminal charges as Republicans move into the final stages of their impeachment inquiry into the president himself.

It’s the latest step for the inquiry, which began in September, but has so far failed to uncover evidence directly implicating the president in wrongdoing involving his son’s business dealings.

If the committees approve the contempt resolutions as expected, they will go to the full House for consideration. And if the House votes to hold Hunter Biden in contempt, it will be up to the Justice Department to decide whether to prosecute.

The contempt referral would be yet another headache for federal prosecutors already under heavy scrutiny for their handling of charges against Hunter Biden related to his taxes and gun use.

Shelving the contempt of Congress charges would likely further stoke conservative criticism that the Justice Department is politicized — especially given that two one-time advisers to former President Donald Trump were prosecuted for contempt of Congress by the Biden administration. But prosecuting contempt cases can be difficult.

“It’s clear the Republican chairmen aren’t interested in getting the facts or they would allow Hunter to testify publicly,” Hunter Biden’s attorney, Lowell, said in a statement Friday. “Instead, House Republicans continue to play politics by seeking an unprecedented contempt motion against someone who has from the first request offered to answer all their proper questions.”

He added, “What are they afraid of?”

Further angering Republicans, Hunter Biden did come to the Capitol on the day specified by the subpoena — but not to testify. Instead, he stood behind microphones outside the U.S. Capitol complex — a couple hundred feet away from the awaiting GOP investigators — and delivered a rare public statement defending his business affairs and castigating the yearslong investigations into him and his family.

“There is no evidence to support the allegations that my father was financially involved in my business because it did not happen,” the president’s son said in those remarks.

He added, “There is no fairness or decency in what these Republicans are doing — they have lied over and over about every aspect of my personal and professional life — so much so that their lies have become the false facts believed by too many people.

After delivering the statement to the media, Hunter Biden left the Capitol grounds.

The contempt resolution, released by Republicans on Monday, reads, “Mr. Biden’s flagrant defiance of the Committees’ deposition subpoenas — while choosing to appear nearby on the Capitol grounds to read a prepared statement on the same matters — is contemptuous, and he must be held accountable for his unlawful actions.”

While Republicans say their inquiry is ultimately focused on the president, they have taken particular interest in Hunter Biden and his overseas business dealings, questioning whether the president profited from that work.

Republicans have also focused a large part of their investigation on whistleblower allegations that there has been political interference in the long-running Justice Department investigation into Hunter Biden.

The committees’ votes Wednesday on contempt of Congress come a day before Hunter Biden is scheduled to make his first court appearance on tax charges filed by a special counsel in Los Angeles. He is facing three felony and six misdemeanor counts, including filing a false return, tax evasion, failure to file and failure to pay.

His lawyer has accused David Weiss, the special counsel overseeing the yearslong case, of “bowing to Republican pressure” by bringing the charges.

https://www.voanews.com/a/hunter-biden-makes-surprise-visit-to-capitol-hill-as-gop-takes-first-step-to-hold-him-in-contempt-/7434442.html Save to Pocket

---

A.I. ‘Completes’ Keith Haring’s Intentionally Unfinished Painting

date: 2024-01-10, from: Smithsonian Magazine

Critics say the image is disrespectful of the original work, which the artist made as a commentary on the AIDS epidemic

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/keith-haring-painting-artificial-intelligence-180983563/ Save to Pocket

---

Judge Rescinds Permission for Trump to Give His Own Closing Argument at His Civil Fraud Trial

date: 2024-01-10, from: VOA News USA

New York — Donald Trump won’t make his own closing argument in his New York civil business fraud trial after his lawyers objected to the judge’s insistence that the former president would stick to “relevant” matters.

Judge Arthur Engoron rescinded permission on Wednesday, a day ahead of closing arguments in the trial.

The trial could cost Trump hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties and strip him of his ability to do business in New York. His lawyers had signaled Thursday that he planned to take the extraordinary step of delivering a summation personally, in addition to arguments from his legal team.

Trump is a defendant in the case, brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. She claims his net worth was inflated by billions of dollars on financial statements that helped him secure business loans and insurance.

The former president and current Republican 2024 front-runner denies any wrongdoing, and he has lambasted the case as a “hoax” and a political attack on him. James and the judge are Democrats.

It’s extremely unusual for people who have lawyers to give their own closing arguments. In an email exchange that happened over recent days and was filed in court Wednesday, Engoron initially approved the unusual request, saying he was “including to let everyone have his or her say.”

But he said Trump would have to limit his remarks to the boundaries that cover attorneys’ closing arguments: “commentary on the relevant, material facts that are in evidence, and application of the relevant law to those facts.”

He would not be allowed to introduce new evidence, “comment on irrelevant matters” or “deliver a campaign speech” — or impugn the judge, his staff, the attorney general, her lawyers or the court system, the judge wrote.

Trump attorney Christopher Kise responded that those limitations were unfair and said Trump could not agree to them.

https://www.voanews.com/a/judge-rescinds-permission-for-trump-to-give-his-own-closing-argument-at-his-civil-fraud-trial/7434453.html Save to Pocket

---

Shout out to my trusty rice cooker, which patiently keeps my rice…

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/0043754-shout-out-to-my-trusty Save to Pocket

---

NASA Delays Artemis 2, Artemis 3 Moon Missions for Safety Reasons

date: 2024-01-10, from: Smithsonian Magazine

Artemis 2 has been pushed from later this year to no earlier than September 2025, and the Artemis 3 moon landing will not occur before September 2026

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nasa-delays-artemis-2-artemis-3-moon-missions-for-safety-reasons-180983567/ Save to Pocket

---

Kia crashes CES with modular electric vehicle concept

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

It’s about time someone figured out how to make swappable bits for EV skateboards

CES  Korean automaker Kia has returned to CES after a five-year absence to unveil an eagerly anticipated electric vehicle concept: Modular vehicles that can be kitted out to fit various purposes.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/kia_modular_evs/ Save to Pocket

---

Lenovo Tab M11 is a mid-range tablet with pen support and a grayscale mode for “immersive reading”

date: 2024-01-10, from: Liliputing

With Intel and AMD both having announced new mobile chips recently, a lot of companies have been using CES 2024 to unveil new laptops and mini PCs. But tablets? Not so much. And that’s one of the only things that really makes the new Lenovo Tab M11 stand out. For the most part it’s a […]

The post Lenovo Tab M11 is a mid-range tablet with pen support and a grayscale mode for “immersive reading” appeared first on Liliputing.

https://liliputing.com/lenovo-tab-m11-is-a-mid-range-tablet-with-pen-support-and-a-grayscale-mode-for-immersive-reading/ Save to Pocket

---

DeSantis, Haley to Debate in Iowa, as Trump Again Skips Face-off

date: 2024-01-10, from: VOA News USA

https://www.voanews.com/a/haley-desantis-to-debate-in-iowa-as-trump-again-skips-confrontation/7434375.html Save to Pocket

---

@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-01-10, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)

Climate Change Is Driving a Sharp Drop in Snow Levels, Study Finds.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/10/climate/climate-change-snowpack-decline.html Save to Pocket

---

Microsoft’s HoloLens goes galactic in $19.8M augmented reality adventure

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

US Space Force harnesses Azure cloudy computing for orbital training

The US Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) has signed a deal with Microsoft to create an “Immersive Intelligent Environment” augmented reality space simulation.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/us_space_hololens/ Save to Pocket

---

Accessible Fart Machines

date: 2024-01-10, from: Dave Rupert blog

I stumbled across this TED talk by Holly Cohen about building accessible fart machines with Arduino. As someone who loves to tell jokes – and particularly loves a good fart joke – the phrase “they were the ones telling the jokes” makes me impossibly happy.

When I was a teacher in Japan I taught two young sisters with cerebral palsy. Both girls could neither move nor talk but they loved to smile and laugh at a good joke or goof about their teachers – like any other junior high school kid. The highlight of my week was hanging out with those girls, I know they would have loved their own fart machine.

In 2018 (two years after this talk), Microsoft launched their revolutionary $99 Xbox Adaptive Controller which is helping kids with motor control difficulties play video games. It’s like the adaptive tech shown at the end of Cohen’s talk, but way more professional. It must have cost a pretty penny to design, research, and productize this device. So what’s the ROI on creating an accessible interface? It doesn’t fuckin’ matter. That’s what. It’s about bringing people in on the fun.

https://daverupert.com/2024/01/accessible-fart-machines/ Save to Pocket

---

The Truth About Airplane Safety

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/the-truth-about-airplane-safety Save to Pocket

---

@Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed (date: 2024-01-10, from: Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed)

If this was a software product, the answer would be “we don’t have resources to test every door plug and airplane bolt. We just have to send to production and hope to fix the reported issues quickly”

Also, Israel is committing genocide.

https://mastodon.social/@Migueldeicaza/111732906068152240 Save to Pocket

---

Broadcom ditches VMware Cloud Service Providers

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

‘How can they cancel a major program affecting hundreds, perhaps thousands of customers, with zero notice?’

Exclusive  Broadcom is tossing the majority of VMware’s Cloud Services Providers as part of its shakeup of the virtualization titan’s partner programs, say sources, leaving customers unclear who their IT supplier will be.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/broadcom_ends_vmware_partner_program/ Save to Pocket

---

MINISFORUM HX200G is a mini PC with Ryzen 9 794HX and Radeon RX 7600M XT discrete graphics

date: 2024-01-10, from: Liliputing

The MINISFORUM HX200G is a compact desktop computer with the guts of a gaming laptop. Unveiled at CES 2024, the little computer features a AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX 16-core, 32-thread processor and a AMD Radeon RX 7600M XT discrete GPU with 32 RDNA 3 compute units. While the 7945HX processor has a default 55 watt TDP, MINISFORUM […]

The post MINISFORUM HX200G is a mini PC with Ryzen 9 794HX and Radeon RX 7600M XT discrete graphics appeared first on Liliputing.

https://liliputing.com/minisforum-hx200g-is-a-mini-pc-with-ryzen-9-794hx-and-radeon-rx-7600m-xt-discrete-graphics/ Save to Pocket

---

@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-01-10, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)

OpenAI debuts ChatGPT subscription aimed at small teams.

https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/10/openai-launches-chatgpt-subscription-aimed-at-small-teams/ Save to Pocket

---

MINISFORUM UH185 Ultra mini PC has an Intel Core Ultra 185H chip and built-in touchscreen and camera

date: 2024-01-10, from: Liliputing

MINISFORUM has unveiled its first mini PC with an Intel Meteor Lake processor. But that’s not the only thing that makes the MINISFORUM UH185 Ultra stand out. The little computer also has a a touchscreen display, a built-in mic and camera, and plenty of ports. The company says it’s showing off the mini PC at CES this […]

The post MINISFORUM UH185 Ultra mini PC has an Intel Core Ultra 185H chip and built-in touchscreen and camera appeared first on Liliputing.

https://liliputing.com/minisforum-uh185-ultra-mini-pc-has-an-intel-core-ultra-185h-chip-and-built-in-touchscreen-and-camera/ Save to Pocket

---

The Allegheny Family Screening Tool’s Overestimation of Utility and Risk

date: 2024-01-10, from: Care

            <p>The ACLU gained access to data from Allegheny Family Screening Tool (the pilot for predictive risk modeling in the family policing context) and examines how utility and risk were unduly inflated by the county.</p>

https://logicmag.io/policy/allegheny-family-screening-tools-overestimation-of-utility-and-risk Save to Pocket

---

Cybercrooks play dress-up as ‘helpful’ researchers in latest ransomware ruse

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Posing as cyber samaritans, scumbags are kicking folks when they’re down

Ransomware victims already reeling from potential biz disruption and the cost of resolving the matter are now being subjected to follow-on extortion attempts by criminals posing as helpful security researchers.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/phony_ransomware_researchers/ Save to Pocket

---

MINISFORUM EM780 palm-sized PC with Ryzen 7 7840U is now available

date: 2024-01-10, from: Liliputing

The MINISFORUM EM780 is a tiny desktop computer with the heart of a decent laptop (but a smaller footprint, more full-sized ports, and no built-in screen, battery, or keyboard). First unveiled in June, 2023, the MINISFORUM EM780 recently went up for pre-order in select markets including Europe, Japan, and China. Now it’s also available in the US. […]

The post MINISFORUM EM780 palm-sized PC with Ryzen 7 7840U is now available appeared first on Liliputing.

https://liliputing.com/minisforum-em780-palm-sized-pc-with-ryzen-7-7840u-ships-this-month-in-select-regions/ Save to Pocket

---

First results are in: 2023 temperatures were stunningly warm. “[The EU’s Copernicus…

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/0043756-first-results-are-in-2023 Save to Pocket

---

@Dave Winer’s Scripting News (date: 2024-01-10, from: Dave Winer’s Scripting News)

For a guy who likes to write, I am probably not a lot better about writing docs than most other developers. We’re supposed to leave a good trail behind us, but I’ve only managed to do that in certain ways. For example, I have standardized on a worknotes.md file for each of my projects and I’m pretty good about updating it. I also publish the OPML source of my code, which contains a lot more in the way of internal docs than the JavaScript files I publish alongside them, simply because the outline format lends itself to inline docs, and I have been doing that systematically for at least thirty years. And I now include the OPML source in most projects in a file called source.opml. There’s a big comment at the top of each of the files at the top that explains. If you’re interested, work backward through the directory of my repos.

http://scripting.com/2024/01/10.html#a165431 Save to Pocket

---

@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-01-10, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)

"It was really the simplicity of that last part that struck me: the fact that feed readers still rely on an open format that’s easily portable between apps and services."

https://sixcolors.com/post/2024/01/cutting-out-the-rss-middleman/ Save to Pocket

---

Caltrans says a section of southbound I-680 in Pleasanton will close this weekend for roadwork

date: 2024-01-10, from: San Jose Mercury News

A section of I-680 in Pleasanton will close for roadwork over the MLK Jr. Day holiday, according to Caltrans.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/10/caltrans-says-a-section-of-southbound-i-680-in-pleasanton-will-close-this-weekend-for-roadwork/ Save to Pocket

---

Can Killing One Species of Owl Help Save Another?

date: 2024-01-10, from: Smithsonian Magazine

Biologists and conservationists are grappling with a controversial plan to kill 470,000 barred owls in the Pacific Northwest over the next 30 years

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/can-killing-one-species-of-owl-help-save-another-180983552/ Save to Pocket

---

Data wrangler Zuckerberg becomes world’s least likely cattle rancher

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

What a cowboy!

More used to farming data via his social media empire, Mark Zuckerberg is expanding his horizons to raise cattle at his Ko’olau Ranch in Hawaii - the one where he’s also preparing for the end of the world.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/zuckerberg/ Save to Pocket

---

Tyromancy is a fortune-telling practice that uses cheese to predict the future….

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/0043755-tyromancy-is-a-fortune-te Save to Pocket

---

Upgrade Your Decking Game: The Stainless Steel Advantage by Allen’s Trading Co. Eagle Claw Fasteners

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Signal

Creating the perfect deck requires attention to detail, and the choice of decking screws is no exception. With an array of options on the market, ranging from coated to stainless steel, selecting the right screws is crucial for the longevity and aesthetic appeal of your deck. At Allen’s Trading Co. Eagle Claw Fasteners, we make […]

The post Upgrade Your Decking Game: The Stainless Steel Advantage by Allen’s Trading Co. Eagle Claw Fasteners  appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/upgrade-your-decking-game-the-stainless-steel-advantage-by-allens-trading-co-eagle-claw-fasteners/ Save to Pocket

---

Super-Charged Clouds Are Dumping Rain and Snow on the U.S.

date: 2024-01-10, from: Heatmap News

A surface cyclone dumped rain on the Northeast overnight, leaving millions of people under flood warnings. Streets were submerged in cities including Annapolis and Baltimore, Maryland; and Alexandria, Virginia. Washington, D.C. broke its daily rain record early Tuesday evening. The storm is also blasting states with strong wind gusts, and at least 15 tornadoes were reported in the South. More than 600,000 homes remain without power, most of those on the East Coast.

The rain is tapering off, but the worst may be yet to come. As National Weather Service meteorologist Patrick Wilson told The New York Times: “The worst time for flooding is right after the rain stops.” It takes time for the water dumped by a storm to travel down from mountains and make its way into smaller streams and rivers, Wilson said. But when it does, those waterways can flood.

We have flood-closed roads throughout the Commonwealth today. Remember: Turn around. Don’t Drown. Virginia’s 511 app is an excellent resource. Quickly find out about things like flooded roads BEFORE you travel. pic.twitter.com/9AZ0hbTJ2a
— VDOT Lynchburg (@VaDOTLynchburg) January 10, 2024

The National Weather Service says moderate to major river flooding could inundate parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast through Thursday. High water levels combined with wind gusts that could exceed 60 mph increase the chances of coastal flooding.

To make matters worse, there’s another storm on the way. The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for the Cascade and Olympic mountains, the first such warning in over a decade. That system will make its way east and is expected to “intensify explosively” by the weekend, bringing blizzard conditions to the Midwest, severe storms to the South, and more flooding to the East Coast.

“Much below normal temperatures along with gusty winds will lead to wind chills well below zero for many locations,” the NWS Weather Prediction Center tweeted. The cold snap will linger into next week, and more than 80% of the country could see below-freezing temperatures by Tuesday, Axios reported.

Isn’t climate change making winters warmer? Yes, the trend over time is for warmer winter temperatures with less snowfall. But “‘less cold’ does not mean ‘never cold,’” explains the Climate Reality Project. And when winter storms do hit, they’re likely to be more intense as global temperatures rise.

As Dr. Jennifer Francis, a senior scientist with the Woodwell Climate Research Center, explained to the Union of Concerned Scientists last year, warmer temperatures give weather systems “more fuel to work with in the form of water vapor and heat, more moisture, and as a result, these storms are dumping more precipitation.”

https://heatmap.news/sparks/east-west-flood-blizzard-storm Save to Pocket

---

The Hobbes OS/2 Archive logs off permanently in April

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Fans of the tech dinosaur have a few months to fill their drives with software

Bad news for OS/2 fans: the Hobbes OS/2 software archive is to be shuttered once and for all in April.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/hobbes_os2_archive_shut_down/ Save to Pocket

---

Advice from NASA Mentors to Students Starting Their Careers

date: 2024-01-10, from: NASA breaking news

NASA is celebrating National Mentoring Month by recognizing the importance of mentors to students and young professionals whose careers are beginning to take off. Mentors help their mentees gain real-world experiences, make valuable connections, and find the types of roles best suited to their strengths and skills. To learn more about early career takeaways, we […]

https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/advice-from-nasa-mentors-to-students-starting-their-careers/ Save to Pocket

---

Murders near Fresno: Fourth body found, 17-year-old neighbor boy arrested

date: 2024-01-10, from: San Jose Mercury News

Police called to a home Saturday morning found an empty gun safe – and, in the backyard, the bodies of a woman and an elderly man.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/10/murders-near-fresno-fourth-body-found-17-year-old-neighbor-boy-arrested/ Save to Pocket

---

Warriors-Pelicans gets early tipoff time for national ABC broadcast

date: 2024-01-10, from: San Jose Mercury News

NBA, ABC begin Wednesday night series with 5:30 p.m. PT tipoff

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/10/warriors-pelicans-gets-early-tipoff-time-for-national-abc-broadcast/ Save to Pocket

---

Pac-12 WBB power ratings: UCLA on top ahead of USC showdown while Arizona, Cal soar

date: 2024-01-10, from: San Jose Mercury News

The second-ranked Bruins collide with No. 9 USC for the second time in two weeks

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/10/pac-12-wbb-power-ratings-ucla-on-top-ahead-of-usc-showdown-while-arizona-cal-soar/ Save to Pocket

---

Woman killed in Oakland hit-and-run crash near uptown; no suspect identified

date: 2024-01-10, from: San Jose Mercury News

A woman died Tuesday after she was hit by a vehicle in an Oakland hit-and-run collision, according to police.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/10/woman-killed-in-oakland-hit-and-run-crash-near-uptown-no-suspect-identified/ Save to Pocket

---

Pat McAfee’s repeated airing of Aaron Rodgers’ conspiracy theories on ESPN presents a headache for Disney boss Bob Iger

date: 2024-01-10, from: San Jose Mercury News

Beyond the issue of his ceaseless attacks on Jimmy Kimmel, it is astonishing that Disney continues to permit Rodgers to spread vaccine misinformation and smear widely respected public health authorities like Fauci on the company’s massive platforms.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/10/pat-mcafees-repeated-airing-of-aaron-rodgers-conspiracy-theories-on-espn-presents-a-headache-for-disney-boss-bob-iger/ Save to Pocket

---

New Kind of Magnetism Spotted in an Engineered Material

date: 2024-01-10, from: Quanta Magazine

In an atomically thin stack of semiconductors, a mechanism unseen in any natural substance causes electrons’ spins to align.

The post New Kind of Magnetism Spotted in an Engineered Material first appeared on Quanta Magazine

https://www.quantamagazine.org/new-kind-of-magnetism-spotted-in-an-engineered-material-20240110/ Save to Pocket

---

Impact: FTC Stops Data Broker X-Mode Selling Sensitive Location Data

date: 2024-01-10, from: 404 Media Group

Years ago I revealed a data broker was harvesting location data from Muslim prayer and dating apps. The FTC has now banned X-Mode from selling location data related to places of worship and other sensitive locations including family planning facilities.

https://www.404media.co/impact-ftc-stops-x-mode-selling-sensitive-location-data/ Save to Pocket

---

SAG Awards 2024: See the full list of nominees

date: 2024-01-10, from: San Jose Mercury News

The SAG Awards will stream live globally on Netflix – a first for the show and the streamer – on Saturday, Feb. 24.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/10/sag-awards-2024-see-the-full-list-of-nominees/ Save to Pocket

---

ShinyHunters chief phisherman gets 3 years, must cough up $5M

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Sebastien Raoult developed various credential-harvesting websites over more than 2 years

A key member of the ShinyHunters cybercrime group is facing three years in the slammer and being forced to return $5 million in criminal proceeds.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/shinyhunters_kingpin_prison/ Save to Pocket

---

Licensing research content via agreements that authorize uses of artificial intelligence

date: 2024-01-10, from: Authors Union blogs

This is a guest post by Rachael G. Samberg, Timothy Vollmer, and Samantha Teremi, professionals within the Office of Scholarly Communication Services at UC Berkeley Library.  On academic and library listservs, there has emerged an increasingly fraught discussion about licensing scholarly content when scholars’ research methodologies rely on artificial intelligence (AI). Scholars and librarians are […]

https://www.authorsalliance.org/2024/01/10/licensing-research-content-via-agreements-that-authorize-uses-of-artificial-intelligence/ Save to Pocket

---

NASA Funds Laser Communications Tech with Small Business

date: 2024-01-10, from: NASA breaking news

NASA is working with private industry partners and small businesses under Artemis to produce scalable, affordable, and advanced laser communications systems that could enable greater exploration and discovery beyond Earth for the benefit of all. Laser, or optical, communications provide missions with increased data rates – meaning that missions using laser technology can send and […]

https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/glenn/nasa-funds-laser-communications-tech-with-small-business/ Save to Pocket

---

The auto industry is front and center at CES 2024

date: 2024-01-10, from: Marketplace Morning Report

The annual electronics showcase event CES is underway in Las Vegas, and it features one of the world’s biggest car shows. While the three largest U.S. automakers do not have displays, Big Tech companies are looking to make their mark as up-and-coming auto suppliers. We’ll also examine the risks AI misinformation poses to the global economy and hear how Puerto Rico intends to its lower dependence on imported foods.

To hear more about the latest tech on display at CES, check out “Marketplace Tech.”

https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-morning-report/the-auto-industry-is-front-and-center-at-ces-2024 Save to Pocket

---

Taco Bell says it will spill secrets at a fan event before the Super Bowl

date: 2024-01-10, from: San Jose Mercury News

The Califorbia-based fast food giant has announced a fan event in Las Vegas on Feb. 9 that will preview 2024 menu innovations with live music and stars thrown in.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/10/taco-bell-says-it-will-spill-secrets-at-a-fan-event-before-the-super-bowl/ Save to Pocket

---

Top paid California non-profit CEO made $35.5 million; many others also get big bucks

date: 2024-01-10, from: San Jose Mercury News

Before everyone gets their hackles up over how much money California’s top-compensated nonprofit executives earn, some context is in order.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/10/top-paid-california-non-profit-ceo-made-35-5-million-many-others-also-get-big-bucks/ Save to Pocket

---

Prep roundup: San Ramon Valley holds off Dougherty Valley, extends win streak to 10

date: 2024-01-10, from: San Jose Mercury News

Matthew Diekmann scores 23 points to lead SRV. Salesian, Mitty boys cruise to league wins. Branham girls hand Christopher its first loss.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/01/10/prep-roundup-san-ramon-valley-holds-off-dougherty-valley-extends-win-streak-to-10/ Save to Pocket

---

44-year-old Voyager 2 data sheds light on solar system’s magnetic personalities

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Magnetosheath jets found around Earth may be present on other planets after Jupiter discovery

Researchers, after discovering magnetosheath jets around Jupiter, now believe these phenomena may exist on all solar system planets.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/voyager_2_jupiter_research/ Save to Pocket

---

Another Major Milestone For The Space Shuttle Endeavour’s “Go For Stack” Mission Is Here

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The LAist

The California Science Center will start moving an enormous external tank through Exposition Park this week.

https://laist.com/news/another-major-milestone-for-the-space-shuttle-endeavours-go-for-stack-mission-is-here Save to Pocket

---

The Savvy Senior | Essential Topics You Need to Discuss with Your Aging Parents

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Signal

Dear Savvy Senior,  My siblings and I don’t know much about our elderly parents’ financial situation or their wishes if and when something happens to them. They are both in their mid-80s. What’s the best way to handle this and what all should we know?   — Apprehensive Daughter  Dear Apprehensive,  Many adult children don’t know […]

The post The Savvy Senior | Essential Topics You Need to Discuss with Your Aging Parents appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/the-savvy-senior-essential-topics-you-need-to-discuss-with-your-aging-parents/ Save to Pocket

---

SAP reshuffles leadership as cloud crusade continues

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

New moves follow year where customers complained it broke their trust

Global ERP giant SAP has announced two changes to its executive board in order to spur its quest to shift customers to the cloud.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/sap_reshuffles_leadership/ Save to Pocket

---

Bertolucci

date: 2024-01-10, from: Ayjay blog

Some years ago I read an article about sociopathy – I don’t remember the author or where it appeared, but I do recall the description of a boy who began to show signs of sociopathy from an early age. Once, as he and his parents gathering with family and friends at a house that had […]

https://blog.ayjay.org/bertolucci/ Save to Pocket

---

“Overturn an election?”

date: 2024-01-10, from: Dave Winer’s Scripting News

I spend a lot of time thinking about words, and when I hear a phrase that seems wrong to me, I’ll work on it until I figure out why it seems wrong and what would be a better way to express the actual idea.

That said, I don’t think Trump tried to “overturn an election.”

More accurately, he tried to “overthrow the government.”

Why I say that:

• Overturn could be something you do legitimately. If you are convicted of a crime, you could appeal it, be exonerated, and the correct verb would be overturn. Overturn doesn’t convey the illegitimacy of what Trump tried to do. The criminality of it. The abhorrence of it, by American values. He tried to “overturn” our most sacred ritual, the transfer of power from one person to another, based on the vote of the people. Overthrow is a much better word for what was done.
• When you commit a crime, say for example killing someone, we don’t say they tried to illegally use a weapon, that’s too technical, we say they’re “accused of murder.” We focus on the consequences. There are lots of ways to illegally use a weapon, what matters is the intended result.
• There is always exactly one president, at all times, in all circumstances. It’s spelled out in the 20th Amendment.
• On January 20, 2021, we had an actual peaceful transfer of power when Joe Biden took the oath, but the transfer actually took place before he took the oath, at 12PM exactly.
• You can also look at the government as a continuous thing, the only difference is there is a new person occupying the office of president. Same government, the one defined by the Constitution. Always on.
• So on January 6, 2021, the then-president Donald Trump, tried to destroy the government, replacing it with a new government, one that doesn’t follow the Constitution.

http://scripting.com/2024/01/10/140854.html?title=overturnAnElection Save to Pocket

---

STMicroelectronics slims to be lean, mean, chipmaking machine

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Streamlines from 3 product groups to 2 as Automotive chief leaves the building

Euro chipmaker STMicroelectronics is reorganizing into two product groups, down from three, saying it wants to boost efficiency and get closer to customers in a decision that will also cut overhead.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/stmicroelectronics_restructure/ Save to Pocket

---

Man Sues 27 Women After Facebook Users Call Him ‘Clingy’ and ‘Psycho’

date: 2024-01-10, from: 404 Media Group

Nikko D’Ambrosio filed a complaint against a long list of individuals and platforms, seeking damages he alleges he incurred because of a ‘Are We Dating the Same Guy’ Facebook group.

https://www.404media.co/nikko-dambrosio-chicago-are-we-dating-the-same-guy-lawsuit/ Save to Pocket

---

Podcast: Deepfaked Celeb Scam Ads Are All Over YouTube

date: 2024-01-10, from: 404 Media Group

This week we’ve got deepfaked celebrities; bizarre FOIA responses; and hackers popping trains.

https://www.404media.co/404-media-podcast-week-20-youtube-deepfaked-ai-scams/ Save to Pocket

---

Crime bills heard

date: 2024-01-10, from: Guam Daily Post

Senators heard testimony from the Office of the Attorney General on two bills, which, if passed, would extend prison time for crimes involving explosives and ensure the testimony of off-island witnesses for criminal proceedings.

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/crime-bills-heard/article_c2f54100-ae8a-11ee-8a23-177cb9159185.html Save to Pocket

---

GWA: No $13M in sewer charge account as claimed by senator

date: 2024-01-10, from: Guam Daily Post

Sen. Chris Duenas is calling on the Guam Waterworks Authority to connect 2,000 households to the sewer system, stating that there is “absolutely no room for excuses” with more than $13 million in the utility’s system development charge account. However,…

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/gwa-no-13m-in-sewer-charge-account-as-claimed-by-senator/article_7b0b37e2-aebb-11ee-a081-bb4003350458.html Save to Pocket

---

GVB: Lawyer problems resolved, Legislature’s help is not needed

date: 2024-01-10, from: Guam Daily Post

Lawmakers and the Guam Visitors Bureau expressed opinions on Bill 204-37 during a public hearing held Tuesday at the Guam Congress Building in Hagåtña.

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/gvb-lawyer-problems-resolved-legislature-s-help-is-not-needed/article_079f84dc-aea9-11ee-b99c-17c77a214d1d.html Save to Pocket

---

@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-01-10, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)

It would be better if journalists did not gravitate to a Facebook-owned Twitter clone.

https://www.threads.net/@mattnavarra/post/C16t22OI1F0 Save to Pocket

---

Biggest Linux kernel release ever welcomes bcachefs file system, jettisons Itanium

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Farewell IA64, hello snapshots and Rusty refinements

The latest stable Linux kernel, 6.7, is out and finally includes the new next-gen copy-on-write (COW) bcachefs file system.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/linux_kernel_67/ Save to Pocket

---

AM Briefing: Blizzards, Floods, and Tornadoes

date: 2024-01-10, from: Heatmap News

Current conditions: A blizzard is slamming Turkey near Istanbul • Central and Southeast Asia are experiencing unusually high temperatures • Researchers confirmed 2023 was the hottest year ever recorded.

THE TOP FIVE

1. America’s carbon emissions fell for the first time since the pandemic

America’s greenhouse gas pollution from energy and industrial activities fell by 1.9% in 2023 compared to the year before, according to energy research firm the Rhodium Group. This marks the first time since the pandemic that carbon emissions have dropped. But perhaps more importantly, the reduction happened even as the broader American economy grew. “It’s the first time this decade that the United States has hit the important mark of growing its economy and cutting its climate pollution at the same time,” says Heatmap’s Robinson Meyer. Climate pollution from the power sector fell by 8% last year, a greater decline than in any other part of the economy, driven partly by the death of the coal industry, partly by an exceptionally warm winter. But there is still much work to be done: America must roughly triple its pace of pollution reductions to meet its Paris Agreement goal of cutting emissions in half by 2030. “Emissions cuts of that magnitude are probably not feasible,” Meyer says.

2. Another dangerous winter storm is on the way

More than 400,000 customers are without power this morning as massive winter storm systems sweep across the country. To the east, a surface cyclone dropped torrents of rain and left more than 6 million people under flood warnings. Streets were submerged in cities along the East Coast, including Annapolis and Baltimore, Maryland; and Alexandria, Virginia. By early evening on Tuesday, the daily rain record for Washington, D.C., had been broken. The rain has tapered off but as National Weather Service meteorologist Patrick Wilson told The New York Times: “The worst time for flooding is right after the rain stops.”

Weather advisories as of early morning January 10NWS and NOAA

The storm is also blasting states with strong wind gusts, and at least 15 tornadoes were reported in the South. More than a foot of snow fell in parts of the Central Plains. On the West Coast, a blizzard warning was issued for the Cascade and Olympic mountains – the first such warning in over a decade. That storm system will make its way east and is expected to “intensify explosively” by the weekend, bringing blizzard conditions to the Midwest, severe storms to the South, and more flooding to the East Coast. The cold snap will linger into next week.

Temperature predictions for the weekendNWS and NOAA

Scientists say climate change is supercharging winter storms. Dr. Jennifer Francis, a senior scientist with the Woodwell Climate Research Center, explained to the Union of Concerned Scientists last year that warmer temperatures give weather systems “more fuel to work with in the form of water vapor and heat, more moisture, and as a result, these storms are dumping more precipitation.”

Get Heatmap AM directly in your inbox every morning:

* indicates required

Email Address  *Our Privacy Policy & Terms Apply.

3. Climate chaos dominates WEF Global Risks Report

The World Economic Forum (WEF) released its 2024 Global Risks Report today, outlining the biggest risks the world faces in the long and short term. While last year’s report focused largely on economic risks like inflation, the WEF says the top risks for the next two years are misinformation and extreme weather events. Looking a bit further into the future, over the next 10 years climate change and environmental issues account for half of the 10 top global risks, as nations are unprepared for the “triggering of long-term, potentially irreversible and self-perpetuating changes to select planetary systems [which] could be passed at or before 1.5C of global warming, currently anticipated to be reached by the early 2030s.” The report is the result of a survey of more than 1,400 global experts across government, business, and academia. The annual WEF meeting in Davos kicks off next week.

Global risks, rankedWEF

4. Norway greenlights deep-sea mining

Norway’s parliament voted to allow deep-sea mining in its Arctic waters, a move that “paves the way for a new frontier in mining,” writes Adam Vaughan at the Times of London. Demand for critical minerals that help power many of our technologies – including wind turbines and electric cars – is expected to grow more than three times by 2030, and companies have been eyeing the seabed as a source. Some suggest seabed extraction could be less environmentally harmful than traditional mineral mining, but environmentalists worry it could destroy delicate ecosystems. More than 20 countries recently backed a moratorium on deep-sea mining.

5. Study calculates climate impact of Gaza conflict

The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is generating large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, according to a recent study. The research finds that, in the first 60 days of the war, the emissions footprint of Israel’s military response – including pollution from military vehicles, exploding bombs and rockets, and aircraft missions – was “roughly the equivalent of 75 coal-fired power plants operating for a year.” The study has yet to be peer reviewed. However it is the first attempt to quantify the conflict’s climate impact, The Guardian reports.

THE KICKER

2023 was the first year in which every single day was at least 1 degree Celsius hotter than the pre-industrial average.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the fact that Norway is not the first country to approve commercial deep-sea mining. We regret the error.

https://heatmap.news/economy/am-briefing-blizzards-floods-and-tornadoes Save to Pocket

---

Boffins demo self-eating rocket engine in Scotland

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Roll up, roll up. See Ouroboros-3 eating its own fuselage

Interview  The concept of a self-eating rocket is rearing its head once again as engineers showcase their work at the AIAA SciTech Forum.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/selfeating_rocket_engine/ Save to Pocket

---

Pluralistic: Kickstarting “The Bezzle” audiobook, sequel to Red Team Blues (10 Jan 2024)

date: 2024-01-10, from: Cory Doctorow’s blog

Today’s links Kickstarting “The Bezzle” audiobook, sequel to Red Team Blues: Another Wil Wheaton banger, necessitated by Amazon’s perfidy. Hey look at this: Delights to delectate. This day in history: 2004, 2014, 2019, 2023 Colophon: Recent publications, upcoming/recent appearances, current writing projects, current reading Kickstarting “The Bezzle” audiobook, sequel to Red Team Blues (permalink) I’m kickstarting the audiobook for The Bezzle, the sequel to last year’s Red Team Blues, featuring Marty Hench, a hard-charging, two-fisted forensic accountant who spent 40 years in Silicon Valley, busting every finance scam hatched by tech bros’ feverish imaginations: http://thebezzle.org Marty Hench is a great character to write. His career in high-tech scambusting starts in the early 1980s with the first PCs and stretches all the way to the cryptocurrency era, the most target-rich environment for scamhunting tech has ever seen. Hench is the Zelig of tech scams, and I’m having so much fun using him to probe the seamy underbelly of the tech economy. Enter The Bezzle, which will be published by Tor Books and Head of Zeus on Feb 20: this adventure finds Marty in the company of Scott Warms, one of the many bright technologists whose great startup was bought and destroyed by Yahoo! (yes, they really used that asinine exclamation mark). Scott is shackled to the Punctuation Factory by golden handcuffs, and he’s determined to get fired without cause, so he can collect his shares and move onto the next thing. That’s how Scott and Marty find themselves on Catalina island, the redoubt of the Wrigley family, where bison roam the hills, yachts bob in the habor and fast food is banned. Scott invites Marty on a series of luxury vacations on Catalina, which end abruptly when they discover – and implode – a hamburger-related Ponzi scheme run by a real-estate millionaire who is destroying the personal finances of the Island’s working-class townies out of sheer sadism. Scott’s victory is bittersweet: sure, he blew up the Ponzi scheme, but he’s also made powerful enemies – the kinds of enemies who can pull strings with the notoriously corrupt LA County Sheriff’s Deputies who are the only law on Catalina, and after taking a pair of felony plea deals, Scott gets the message and never visits Catalina Island again. That could have been the end of it, but California’s three-strikes law – since rescinded – means that when Scott picks up one more felony conviction for some drugs discovered during a traffic stop, he’s facing life in prison. That’s where The Bezzle really gets into gear. At its core, The Bezzle is a novel about the “shitty technology adoption curve”: the idea that our worst technological schemes are sanded smooth on the bodies of prisoners, mental patients, kids and refugees before they work their way up the privilege gradient and are inflicted on all of us: https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/12/algorithmic-wage-discrimination/#fishers-of-men America’s prisons are vicious, brutal places, and technology has only made them worse. When Scott’s prison swaps out in-person visits, the prison library, and phone calls for a “free” tablet that offers all these services as janky apps that cost ten times more than they would on the outside, the cruelty finds a business model. Working inside and outside the prison Marty Hench and Scott Warms figure out the full nature of the scam that the captive audience of prisoners are involuntary beta-testers for, and they discover a sprawling web of real-estate fraud, tech scams, and offshore finance that is extracting fortunes from the hides of America’s prisoners and their families. The criminals who run that kind of enterprise aren’t shy about fighting for what they’ve got, and they’re more than happy to cut some of LA County’s notorious deputy gangs in for a cut in exchange for providing some kinetic support for the project. The Bezzle is exactly the kind of book I was hoping I’d get to write when I kicked off the Hench series – one that decodes the scam economy, from music royalties to prison videoconferencing, real estate investment trusts to Big Four accounting firm bogus audits. It’s both a fast-moving, two-fisted crime novel and a masterclass on how the rich and powerful get away with both literal and figurative murder. It’s getting a big push from both my publishers and I’ll be touring western Canada and the US with it. The early reviews are spectacular. But despite all of this, I had to make my own audiobook for it, which I’m pre-selling on Kickstarter: http://thebezzle.org Why? Because Audible – Amazon’s monopoly gatekeeper to the audiobook world, with more than 90% of the market – refuses to carry my work. Audible uses Digital Rights Management to lock every audiobook they sell to their platform. Legally, only an Audible-authorized app can decrypt and play the audiobooks they sell you. Distributing a tool that removes Audible DRM is a felony under Section 1201 of the 1998 DMCA. That means that if you break up with Audible – delete your Audible apps – you will lose your entire audiobook library. And the fact that you’re Audible’s hostage makes the writers you love into their hostages, too. Writers understand that if they leave the Audible platform, their audience will have to choose between following them, or losing all their audiobooks. That’s how Audible gets away with abusing its performers and writers, up to and including the $100m Audiblegate wage-theft scandal: https://www.audiblegate.com/ Audible can steal $100m from its writers…and the writers still continue to sell on the platform, because leaving will cost them their audience. This is canonical enshittification: lock in users, then screw suppliers. Lots of companies abuse DRM to do this, but none can hold a candle to Amazon, who understand that the DMCA is a copyright law that protects corporations at the expense of creators. Under DMCA 1201 commercial distribution of a “circumvention device” carries a five-year prison sentence and a $500,000 fine. That means that if I write a book, pay to have it recorded, and then sell it to you through Audible, I am criminally prohibited from giving you the tool to take it from Audible to another platform. Even though I hold the copyright to that work, I would face a harsher sentence than you would if you simply pirated the audiobook from some darknet site. Not only that: if you shoplifted the audiobook in CD form, you’d get a lighter sentence than I, the copyright holder, would receive for giving you a tool to unlock it from Amazon’s platform! Hell, if you hijacked the truck that delivered the CD, you’d get off lighter than I would. This is a scam straight out of a Marty Hench novel. This is batshit. I won’t allow it. My books are licensed on the condition that they must not be sold with DRM. Which means that Audible won’t sell my books, which means that my publishers are thoroughly disinterested in paying thousands of dollars to produce audiobooks of my titles. A book that isn’t sold in the one store than accounts for 90% of all sales is unlikely to do well. That’s where you come in. Since 2020, I’ve used Kickstarter to pre-sell five of my audiobooks (I wrote nine books during lockdown!). All told, I’ve raised over $750,000 (gross! but still!) on these crowdfunders. More than 20,000 backers have pitched in! The last two of these books – The Internet Con and The Lost Cause – were national bestsellers. This isn’t just a way for me to pay off a lot of bills and put away something for retirement – it’s proof that readers care about supporting writers and don’t want to be locked in by a giant monopolist that depends on its drivers pissing in bottles to make quota. It’s a powerful message about the desire for something better than Amazon. It’s part of the current that is driving the FTC to haul Amazon into court for being a monopolist, and also part of the inspiration for other authors to try treating Amazon as damage and routing around it, with spectacular results: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dragonsteel/surprise-four-secret-novels-by-brandon-sanderson And I’m doing it again. Last December, I went into Skyboat Media’s studios where Gabrielle De Cuir directed Wil Wheaton, who reprised his role as Marty Hench for the audiobook of The Bezzle. It came out amazing: https://archive.org/details/bezzle-sample Now I’m pre-selling this audiobook, as well as the ebook and hardcover for The Bezzle. I’m also offering bundles with the ebook and audiobook for Red Team Blues (naturally these are all DRM-free). You can get your books signed and personalized and shipped anywhere in the world, courtesy of Book Soup, and I’ve partnered with Libro.fm to deliver DRM-free audiobooks with an app for people who don’t want to mess around with sideloading. I’ve also got some spendy options for high rollers. There’s three chances to name a character in the next Hench novel (Picks and Shovels, Feb 2025). There’s also five chances to commission a Hench short story about your favorite tech scam, and get credited when the story is published. The Kickstarter runs for the next three weeks, which should give me time to get the hardcopy books signed and shipped to arrive around the on-sale date. What’s more, I’ve finally worked out all the post-Brexit kinks with shipping my UK publisher’s books to EU backers. I’m working with Otherland Books to fulfill those EU orders, and it looks like I’m going to be able to sign a giant stack of those when I’m in Berlin later this month to give the annual Marshall McLuhan lecture at the Canadian embassy: https://transmediale.de/en/2024/event/mcluhan-2024 Red Team Blues and its sequels are some of the most fun – and informative – work I’ve done in my quarter-century career. I love how they blend technical explanations of the scam economy with high-intensity technothrillers. That’s the the same mix as my bestselling YA series Little Brother series – but these are firmly adult novels. The Bezzle came out great. I hope you’ll give it a try – and that you’ll come out to see me in late February when I hit the road with the book! Here’s that Kickstarter link again: http://thebezzle.org Hey look at this (permalink) Tech Billionaires Need to Stop Trying to Make the Science Fiction They Grew Up on Real https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/tech-billionaires-need-to-stop-trying-to-make-the-science-fiction-they-grew-up-on-real/ h/t JWZ uBlacklist https://iorate.github.io/ublacklist/docs The Homemade Limits of Everyday Weirdness https://bruces.medium.com/the-homemade-limits-of-everyday-weirdness-0c7e6bb12abb This day in history (permalink) #20yrsago Amazing Heinlein discussion on Electrolite http://nielsenhayden.com/electrolite/archives/004356.html#004356 #10yrsago Victorian Transport Department calls cops on 16 year old for reporting bug that exposed customers’ personal data https://www.wired.com/2014/01/teen-reported-security-hole/ #10yrsago Shanghai hotel provides smog-masks for guests https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/1upxm4/shanghai_hotels_know_how_to_pamper_you/ #5yrsago Minnesota AG’s report reveals big telcos are literally letting their infrastructure rot https://www.vice.com/en/article/wj3v5n/american-phone-companies-are-literally-letting-their-networks-fall-apart #5yrsago Whistleblower: Amazon Ring stores your doorbell and home video feeds unencrypted and grants broad “unfettered” access to them https://theintercept.com/2019/01/10/amazon-ring-security-camera/ #5yrsago Patent trolls celebrate as Trump’s new rules breathes fresh life into parasitic grifter capitalism https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/01/software-patents-poised-to-make-a-comeback-under-new-patent-office-rules/2/ #5yrsago Why the hell do we continue to believe the carriers’ promises to respect our privacy? https://www.vice.com/en/article/nepx5x/we-could-easily-stop-location-data-scandals-but-we-cower-to-lobbyists-instead #5yrsago Regardless of political affiliation, over-65s are most likely to share “fake news” (and there’s not much fake news, and it’s largely right-wing) https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/9/18174631/old-people-fake-news-facebook-share-nyu-princeton #5yrsago El Chapo went down because his sysadmin sold him out https://gizmodo.com/the-feds-cracked-el-chapos-encrypted-communications-net-1831595734 #1yrago The learned helplessness of Pete Buttigieg https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/10/the-courage-to-govern/#whos-in-charge Colophon (permalink) Today’s top sources: Currently writing: A Little Brother short story about DIY insulin PLANNING Picks and Shovels, a Martin Hench noir thriller about the heroic era of the PC. FORTHCOMING TOR BOOKS JAN 2025 The Bezzle, a Martin Hench noir thriller novel about the prison-tech industry. FORTHCOMING TOR BOOKS FEB 2024 Vigilant, Little Brother short story about remote invigilation. FORTHCOMING ON TOR.COM Spill, a Little Brother short story about pipeline protests. FORTHCOMING ON TOR.COM Latest podcast: The Internet’s Original Sin https://craphound.com/news/2023/12/17/the-internets-original-sin/) Upcoming appearances: Speculating Our AI Future with Cory Doctorow, Ken Liu, and Martha Wells https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ssyUYErCTB-rzEz_Vhc7cw#/registration Internet Con (Peculiar Book Club), Jan 11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5UvzuJ1R4I Books & Books (Coral Gables, Florida), Jan 22 https://www.booksandbooks.com/event/in-person-an-evening-with-cory-doctorow/ Marshall McLuhan Lecture 2024 (Berlin), Jan 29 https://transmediale.de/en/2024/event/mcluhan-2024 The Lost Cause at Otherland (Berlin), Jan 30 https://www.otherland-berlin.de/de/event-details/autor-innenabend-mit-cory-doctorow.html Recent appearances: What the Future will Bring (Homeless Romantic) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_Vq8qW2A8I Talking “The Lost Cause” with Warren Mosler (MMT Podcast) https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-182-cory-95211955 Words of the Week https://youtu.be/mq0kSdzSjfc?si=zFMDsrXpHVqNGcb8&amp;t=5232 Latest books: “The Lost Cause:” a solarpunk novel of hope in the climate emergency, Tor Books (US), Head of Zeus (UK), November 2023 (http://lost-cause.org). Signed, personalized copies at Dark Delicacies (https://www.darkdel.com/store/p3007/Pre-Order_Signed_Copies%3A_The_Lost_Cause_HB.html#/) “The Internet Con”: A nonfiction book about interoperability and Big Tech (Verso) September 2023 (http://seizethemeansofcomputation.org). Signed copies at Book Soup (https://www.booksoup.com/book/9781804291245). “Red Team Blues”: “A grabby, compulsive thriller that will leave you knowing more about how the world works than you did before.” Tor Books http://redteamblues.com. Signed copies at Dark Delicacies (US): and Forbidden Planet (UK): https://forbiddenplanet.com/385004-red-team-blues-signed-edition-hardcover/. “Chokepoint Capitalism: How to Beat Big Tech, Tame Big Content, and Get Artists Paid, with Rebecca Giblin”, on how to unrig the markets for creative labor, Beacon Press/Scribe 2022 https://chokepointcapitalism.com “Attack Surface”: The third Little Brother novel, a standalone technothriller for adults. The Washington Post called it “a political cyberthriller, vigorous, bold and savvy about the limits of revolution and resistance.” Order signed, personalized copies from Dark Delicacies https://www.darkdel.com/store/p1840/Available_Now%3A_Attack_Surface.html “How to Destroy Surveillance Capitalism”: an anti-monopoly pamphlet analyzing the true harms of surveillance capitalism and proposing a solution. https://onezero.medium.com/how-to-destroy-surveillance-capitalism-8135e6744d59?sk=f6cd10e54e20a07d4c6d0f3ac011af6b) (signed copies: https://www.darkdel.com/store/p2024/Available_Now%3A__How_to_Destroy_Surveillance_Capitalism.html) “Little Brother/Homeland”: A reissue omnibus edition with a new introduction by Edward Snowden: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250774583; personalized/signed copies here: https://www.darkdel.com/store/p1750/July%3A__Little_Brother_%26_Homeland.html “Poesy the Monster Slayer” a picture book about monsters, bedtime, gender, and kicking ass. Order here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781626723627. Get a personalized, signed copy here: https://www.darkdel.com/store/p2682/Corey_Doctorow%3A_Poesy_the_Monster_Slayer_HB.html#/. Upcoming books: The Bezzle: a sequel to “Red Team Blues,” about prison-tech and other grifts, Tor Books, February 2024 Picks and Shovels: a sequel to “Red Team Blues,” about the heroic era of the PC, Tor Books, February 2025 Unauthorized Bread: a graphic novel adapted from my novella about refugees, toasters and DRM, FirstSecond, 2025 This work – excluding any serialized fiction – is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. That means you can use it any way you like, including commercially, provided that you attribute it to me, Cory Doctorow, and include a link to pluralistic.net. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Quotations and images are not included in this license; they are included either under a limitation or exception to copyright, or on the basis of a separate license. Please exercise caution. How to get Pluralistic: Blog (no ads, tracking, or data-collection): Pluralistic.net Newsletter (no ads, tracking, or data-collection): https://pluralistic.net/plura-list Mastodon (no ads, tracking, or data-collection): https://mamot.fr/@pluralistic Medium (no ads, paywalled): https://doctorow.medium.com/ Twitter (mass-scale, unrestricted, third-party surveillance and advertising): https://twitter.com/doctorow Tumblr (mass-scale, unrestricted, third-party surveillance and advertising): https://mostlysignssomeportents.tumblr.com/tagged/pluralistic “When life gives you SARS, you make sarsaparilla” -Joey “Accordion Guy” DeVilla

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/10/the-bezzle/ Save to Pocket

---

@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-01-10, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)

Clarence Thomas and the self-pity of the rich.

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-01-10/why-clarence-thomas-cant-make-ends-meet-on-285000-a-year-and-other-travails-of-the-rich Save to Pocket

---

New Program Wants To Put More Community College Grads In Full-Time Professor Jobs, Diversify Faculty

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The LAist

The Compton College Faculty Prep Academy, in partnership with USC, will pair participants with a mentor and help them prepare for job interviews.

https://laist.com/news/education/compton-college-prep-academy-usc-faculty-jobs Save to Pocket

---

Community College Students Serve As Basic Needs Support Guides For Peers

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The LAist

The California Community Colleges’ strategy for increasing access to basic needs resources includes relying on peer-to-peer engagement.

https://laist.com/news/education/community-college-students-serve-as-basic-needs-support-guides-for-peers Save to Pocket

---

Plagiarism Detection Tools Offer a False Sense of Accuracy

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Markup blog

The tools that likely brought down Harvard president Claudine Gay are improperly used on students all the time

https://themarkup.org/machine-learning/2024/01/10/plagiarism-detection-tools-offer-a-false-sense-of-accuracy Save to Pocket

---

Use a Password Manager To Protect Yourself From Breaches

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Markup blog

Using unique credentials for each of your accounts helps isolate the impact of hack attacks

https://themarkup.org/gentle-january/2024/01/10/use-a-password-manager-to-protect-yourself-from-breaches Save to Pocket

---

These Satellite Maps Reveal Rampant Fishing by Untracked ‘Dark Vessels’ in the World’s Oceans

date: 2024-01-10, from: Smithsonian Magazine

Using satellite imagery and A.I., a new study finds about 75 percent of industrial fishing is not publicly tracked, and clandestine ships enter marine protected areas

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/satellite-maps-reveal-rampant-fishing-untracked-dark-vessels-oceans-180983539/ Save to Pocket

---

In 2024, it might just be “the U.S. vs. itself”

date: 2024-01-10, from: Marketplace Morning Report

There are a lot of pressing risks around the globe this year. What poses the biggest risk? According to an annual report from political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, the U.S. presidential election — expected to exacerbate political dysfunction — tops the list. (But don’t worry, we hear an upbeat prediction too.) Plus, are you an independent contractor or an employee? Regulators have a new litmus test.

https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-morning-report/in-2024-it-might-just-be-the-u-s-vs-itself Save to Pocket

---

Top large language models struggle to make accurate legal arguments

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

AI can’t cite cases, fully grok the law, or reason about it effectively, study finds

Interview  If you think generative AI has an automatic seat at the table in the world of law, think again.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/top_large_language_models_struggle/ Save to Pocket

---

Facial Scanning by Burger King in Brazil

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-05, from: Bruce Schneier blog

In 2000, I wrote: “If McDonald’s offered three free Big Macs for a DNA sample, there would be lines around the block.”

Burger King in Brazil is almost there, offering discounts in exchange for a facial scan. From a marketing video:

“At the end of the year, it’s Friday every day, and the hangover kicks in,” a vaguely robotic voice says as images of cheeseburgers glitch in and out over fake computer code. “BK presents Hangover Whopper, a technology that scans your hangover level and offers a discount on the ideal combo to help combat it.” The stunt runs until January 2nd…

https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2024/01/facial-scanning-by-burger-king-in-brazil.html Save to Pocket

---

Norway opens part of its seabed for mining

date: 2024-01-10, from: Marketplace Morning Report

From the BBC World Service: Despite warnings of the possible environmental impact, Norway’s government has given the green light for companies to apply to extract precious minerals from the country’s seabed. Then, German railways have ground to a near halt in a three-day train drivers strike. And later: an examination of Puerto Rico’s food revolution.

https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-morning-report/norway-opens-part-of-its-seabed-for-mining Save to Pocket

---

Historic Staff Spotlight: Evangeline Thurber

date: 2024-01-10, from: National Archives, Pieces of History blog

We are taking a look at past staff and their many contributions to the National Archives throughout its history. Today’s staff spotlight is Evangeline Thurber, who coauthored a major report on National Archives holdings in relation to World War I demobilization in preparation for the end of World War II. Evangeline Thurber (née Evangeline Whitmore) … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Evangeline Thurber

https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2024/01/10/historic-staff-spotlight-evangeline-thurber/ Save to Pocket

---

Google’s TPUs could end up costing it a billion-plus, thanks to this patent challenge

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Singular alleges AI accelerators built from ripped-off blueprints

Allegations that Google’s Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) were developed using stolen designs are being put to the test as a jury trial brought against the search giant by Singular Computing kicks off this week.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/google_tpu_patent_dispute/ Save to Pocket

---

Taiwan’s De Facto Ambassador to US Meets US House Speaker, China Angered

date: 2024-01-10, from: VOA News USA

TAIPEI/BEIJING — Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States met on Tuesday with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday, drawing a stern rebuke from Beijing.

The United States is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties with the island, which China views as its own territory.

Alexander Yui took up his new post last month, replacing Hsiao Bi-khim, who is now running to be vice president in Taiwan’s elections on Saturday.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Yui thanked the U.S. Congress for its long-term, cross-party support for Taiwan and commitment to strengthening the island’s defenses.

It said this was the first time the two men had met.

China staged war games around Taiwan in August of 2022 after then-House speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei, and in Beijing the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed anger at the Johnson-Yui meeting.

U.S. lawmakers should “stop sending wrong signals to Taiwan independence separatist forces and must not intervene in the Taiwan region’s elections in any form,” spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters.

China routinely objects to any form of what it views as official contacts between Taiwanese and U.S. officials, saying it is an interference in internal Chinese affairs. Beijing says Taiwan is the most sensitive and important issue in Sino-U.S. relations.

Taiwan’s government opposes China’s sovereignty claims, saying the People’s Republic of China has never ruled the island and has no right to speak for it or control it as only Taiwan’s people can do that.

https://www.voanews.com/a/taiwan-s-de-facto-ambassador-to-us-meets-us-house-speaker-china-angered-/7433897.html Save to Pocket

---

NASA’s Artemis Moon missions take a rain check until 2025 and beyond

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-11, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

No human will set foot on regolith for 2-plus years now

NASA’s Moon mission launch dates have slid by about a year – Artemis II to September 2025 and Artemis III to September 2026. Artemis IV, the first mission to the Gateway lunar space station, remains scheduled for September 2028.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/nasa_artemis_delays/ Save to Pocket

---

The Mimo Diaries

date: 2024-01-10, from: Manu - I write blog

In a post a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I was going to take over Minimalissimo—aka Mimo—starting January 1st and that I was planning to blog about the whole experience.

Well, it’s January 10th, I am in charge of the site and I do plan to post updates on this journey under the title “The Mimo Diaries” and this is the first entry of the series.

So how is it going? I’d say so far so good. If you are a visitor of the site you might have noticed that a first change is already in place: posts no longer have short text content. Let me explain the reasoning behind that decision.

Writing on the web

Minimalissimo started back in 2009 and the web was a very different place. Content generation and content consumption were substantially different than they are now and it made sense to have a “traditional” blog/magazine with text and images.

But I believe that is no longer true in 2024. I’m not saying writing on the web is pointless, quite the contrary. What I’m saying is that I don’t think there’s much added value to the user in writing short posts to go along with the images on the site. It’s probably useful from a SEO perspective but, as you know, I don’t care about SEO all that much. I care about users and user experience. And I think the value that Mimo provides is in the visual curation, not in the written content.

Now, that is true for short posts but it’s definitely not true for the newsletter. I do plan to keep that one going and make it a more important part of the Mimo ecosystem. The newsletter is going to be the place for longer content, focused on the topic of minimalism. That’s my current plan and we’ll see how it goes. So, make sure you subscribe to the Minimalissimo newsletter if you want to get the full Minimalissimo experience.

https://manuelmoreale.com/@/page/IbYtURuBZfgM3uJD Save to Pocket

---

EKORA streamlines cardiology care with Raspberry Pi Zero W

date: 2024-01-10, from: Raspberry Pi News (.com)

Two NHS cardiologists set up EKORA to provide a streamlined Raspberry Pi-powered system that protects confidentiality and saves clinicians time.

The post EKORA streamlines cardiology care with Raspberry Pi Zero W appeared first on Raspberry Pi.

https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/ekora-streamlines-cardiology-care-with-raspberry-pi-zero-w/ Save to Pocket

---

Next BT CEO Allison Kirkby takes the wheel from next month

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Jansen can let someone else worry about nationwide fiber rollout now

UK telco giant BT is confirming a start date for Allison Kirkby, who will become its chief executive on February 1, facing down the challenge of the company’s nationwide fiber rollout and trying to reverse its declining share price.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/next_bt_ceo_allison_kirkby/ Save to Pocket

---

BIIF Hoops: KSH topples Kona, Waiakea stomps Parker

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p><strong>KSH 63 - KONAWAENA 62</strong></p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/sports/biif-hoops-ksh-topples-kona-waiakea-stomps-parker/ Save to Pocket

---

Some are leaving earthquake-rattled Wajima. But this Japanese fish seller is determined to rebuild

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>TOKYO &#8212; Yoshie Minamidani&#8217;s heart leapt when she saw the stray tabby cat, a mainstay of the famous Asaichi Dori shopping street in Wajima city on the western coast of Japan.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/features/some-are-leaving-earthquake-rattled-wajima-but-this-japanese-fish-seller-is-determined-to-rebuild/ Save to Pocket

---

Chicago Cubs agree to contract with Japanese left-hander Shōta Imanaga

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>CHICAGO &#8212; The Chicago Cubs bolstered their rotation Tuesday, agreeing to a contract with Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga in their first major offseason roster move. </p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/sports/chicago-cubs-agree-to-contract-with-japanese-left-hander-shota-imanaga/ Save to Pocket

---

Woman fined for stealing nene gosling from state park

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>A 58-year-old woman was convicted for stealing a nene gosling from Wailoa State Recreation Area last March and sentenced Tuesday in Hilo Environmental Court.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/hawaii-news/woman-fined-for-stealing-nene-gosling-from-state-park/ Save to Pocket

---

Kawamoto Swim Stadium diving tower to reopen

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>The diving tower at the &#8220;Sparky&#8221; Kawamoto Swim Stadium in Hilo will finally reopen after years of disuse.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/hawaii-news/kawamoto-swim-stadium-diving-tower-to-reopen/ Save to Pocket

---

Suspected fentanyl smugglers in court today

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>A Kailua-Kona couple charged with drug offenses in connection with two suspected fentanyl overdoses &#8212; one fatal, at Hawaii Community Correctional Center &#8212; has a date today in Hilo District Court.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/hawaii-news/suspected-fentanyl-smugglers-in-court-today/ Save to Pocket

---

With Trump present in court, judges express skepticism of claims that he’s immune from prosecution

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>WASHINGTON &#8212; With Donald Trump listening intently in the courtroom, federal appeals court judges in Washington expressed deep skepticism Tuesday that the former president was immune from prosecution on charges that he plotted to overturn the results of the 2020 election.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/nation-world-news/with-trump-present-in-court-judges-express-skepticism-of-claims-that-hes-immune-from-prosecution/ Save to Pocket

---

Michigan’s ability to contend for repeat national title hinges on decisions by Harbaugh, key players

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>HOUSTON &#8212; After winning its first national championship in 26 years, Michigan heads into an uncertain future. </p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/sports/michigans-ability-to-contend-for-repeat-national-title-hinges-on-decisions-by-harbaugh-key-players/ Save to Pocket

---

Investigation into why a panel blew off a Boeing Max 9 jet focuses on missing bolts

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>The extended grounding of some Boeing 737 Max jetliners is adding to pressure on Boeing and the subcontractor that made the fuselage and installed a panel that blew out leaving a gaping hole in an Alaska Airlines plane last week.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/nation-world-news/investigation-into-why-a-panel-blew-off-a-boeing-max-9-jet-focuses-on-missing-bolts/ Save to Pocket

---

South Korea’s parliament passes landmark ban on production and sales of dog meat

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>SEOUL, South Korea &#8212; South Korea&#8217;s parliament on Tuesday passed a landmark ban on production and sales of dog meat, as public calls for a prohibition have grown sharply over concerns about animal rights and the country&#8217;s international image.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/nation-world-news/south-koreas-parliament-passes-landmark-ban-on-production-and-sales-of-dog-meat/ Save to Pocket

---

Secret tunnel in NYC synagogue leads to brawl between police and worshippers

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>NEW YORK &#8212; A dozen students at Brooklyn&#8217;s Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters were arrested as they tried to stop efforts to block a secret illegal tunnel they had dug in a bizarre attempt to expand the house of worship, officials said Tuesday.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/nation-world-news/secret-tunnel-in-nyc-synagogue-leads-to-brawl-between-police-and-worshippers/ Save to Pocket

---

Tennessee Titans fire coach Mike Vrabel after back-to-back losing seasons

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>NASHVILLE, Tenn. &#8212; The Tennessee Titans have fired coach Mike Vrabel after six seasons with the franchise having won only six of the past 24 games, including blowing a third straight AFC South title in the 2022 season finale. </p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/sports/tennessee-titans-fire-coach-mike-vrabel-after-back-to-back-losing-seasons/ Save to Pocket

---

Former gang leader charged in killing of Tupac Shakur is allowed $750K bail and house arrest

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>LAS VEGAS (AP) &#8212; A Nevada judge set bail Tuesday at $750,000 for a former Los Angeles-area gang leader charged with orchestrating the killing of hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur in 1996, saying he can serve house arrest with electronic monitoring ahead of trial on a murder charge.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/nation-world-news/former-gang-leader-charged-in-killing-of-tupac-shakur-is-allowed-750k-bail-and-house-arrest/ Save to Pocket

---

Trump plans to deliver a closing argument at his civil fraud trial, AP sources say

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>NEW YORK &#8212; Former President Donald Trump aims to deliver his own closing argument Thursday in his New York civil business fraud trial in addition to his legal team&#8217;s summations, according to two people familiar with the highly unusual plan.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/nation-world-news/trump-plans-to-deliver-a-closing-argument-at-his-civil-fraud-trial-ap-sources-say/ Save to Pocket

---

Blinken urges Israel to engage with region on postwar plans that include path to Palestinian state

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>TEL AVIV, Israel &#8212; U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday called on Israel to work with moderate Palestinians and neighboring countries on plans for postwar Gaza, saying they were willing to help rebuild and govern the territory but only if there is a &#8220;pathway to a Palestinian state.&#8221;</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/nation-world-news/blinken-urges-israel-to-engage-with-region-on-postwar-plans-that-include-path-to-palestinian-state/ Save to Pocket

---

Obituaries for January 10

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>Larry Faustino Castillas, 81, of Pahoa died Dec. 18 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hilo, he was a delivery and warehouse worker for Hilo Rice Mill and timer for Hawaii Canoe Racing Association. Celebration of life at a later date. Condolences to: Shirley Castillas, 15-154 S. Punikahakai Lp., Pahoa, HI 96778. Survived by wife, Shirley Castillas; son, Jayson (Marla Makuakane) Castillas Sr. of Pahoa; daughter, Marcie (Patrick Crivello) Castillas of Keaau; goddaughter, Ron Mata of Hilo; brother, Ronald (Sheena Sunio) Castillas of Hilo; six grandchildrenand nine great-grandchildren; cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/obituaries/obituaries-for-january-10-10/ Save to Pocket

---

Armed men storm an Ecuador TV studio during a live broadcast as attacks in the country escalate

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador (AP) &#8212; Masked men broke onto the set of a public television channel in Ecuador waving guns and explosives during a live broadcast Tuesday, and the president issued a decree declaring that the violence-plagued country had entered an &#8220;internal armed conflict.&#8221;</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/nation-world-news/armed-men-storm-an-ecuador-tv-studio-during-a-live-broadcast-as-attacks-in-the-country-escalate/ Save to Pocket

---

Sprawling storm wallops US with tornado reports, damage and heavy snow, closing roads and schools

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>DES MOINES, Iowa &#8212; A sprawling storm hit the South with tornado warnings and high winds that blew roofs off homes, flipped over campers and tossed about furniture in Florida on Tuesday. Another storm brought cities across the Midwest to a standstill with more than half a foot of snow, stranding people on highways as it headed to the Northeast.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/nation-world-news/sprawling-storm-wallops-us-with-tornado-reports-damage-and-heavy-snow-closing-roads-and-schools/ Save to Pocket

---

Ozempic mania’s billions in bills are coming for US taxpayers

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>State and local governments across the US are grappling with a growing problem: Expensive drugs to treat diabetes and obesity are threatening to drain their health care budgets.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/nation-world-news/ozempic-manias-billions-in-bills-are-coming-for-us-taxpayers/ Save to Pocket

---

More delays for NASA’s astronaut moonshots, with crew landing off until 2026

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. &#8212; Astronauts will have to wait until next year before flying to the moon and at least two years before landing on it, under the latest round of delays announced by NASA on Tuesday.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/nation-world-news/more-delays-for-nasas-astronaut-moonshots-with-crew-landing-off-until-2026/ Save to Pocket

---

Defense Secretary Austin was treated for prostate cancer and a urinary tract infection, doctors say

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>WASHINGTON &#8212; Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has prostate cancer, and his recent secretive hospitalization was for surgery and later to treat a urinary tract infection related to that operation, his doctors said Tuesday.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/nation-world-news/defense-secretary-austin-was-treated-for-prostate-cancer-and-a-urinary-tract-infection-doctors-say/ Save to Pocket

---

‘We’re not having a snowball fight’ Reid, Chiefs ready for frigid playoff game against Dolphins

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>KANSAS CITY, Mo. &#8212; Coach Andy Reid was asked what impact a frigid forecast might have for Saturday night&#8217;s wild-card playoff game between the Chiefs and Dolphins, and whether Kansas City would try to acclimatize by practicing outside this week. </p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/sports/were-not-having-a-snowball-fight-reid-chiefs-ready-for-frigid-playoff-game-against-dolphins/ Save to Pocket

---

Coach Monty Williams sees growth in Pistons while enduring one of the worst seasons in NBA history

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>DENVER &#8212; Monty Williams lamented not pulling out his phone and taking a quick video. </p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/sports/coach-monty-williams-sees-growth-in-pistons-while-enduring-one-of-the-worst-seasons-in-nba-history/ Save to Pocket

---

As Americans struggle, record raises for federal workers

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>Bidenomics has made life miserable for many American families struggling with higher prices for food and other staples. But while private-sector stiffs face challenges navigating the wreckage of the president&#8217;s policies, federal government employees will have it a bit easier in 2024.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/opinion/as-americans-struggle-record-raises-for-federal-workers/ Save to Pocket

---

Is the message of ‘Barbie’ all it’s cracked up to be?

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>I&#8217;m not a Barbie fan. She made me and my friends feel bad about ourselves for being built like real girls, back in the day. I only reluctantly watched the movie, once it was free on a streaming service, so I could participate in the national debate.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/opinion/is-the-message-of-barbie-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/ Save to Pocket

---

NWS: Cold front expected to bring high winds, high surf

date: 2024-01-10, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold

            <p>A cold front will move in from the northwest early Thursday morning that will create weather conditions similar to those that occurred Monday and Tuesday.</p>
        

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/01/10/hawaii-news/nws-cold-front-expected-to-bring-high-winds-high-surf/ Save to Pocket

---

Office Hours: Will the Supreme Court drag its robes?

date: 2024-01-10, from: Robert Reich on Substack

When it comes to Trump’s criminal trial for seeking to overturn the 2020 election, timing is everything.

https://robertreich.substack.com/p/office-hours-will-the-supreme-court Save to Pocket

---

America’s Carbon Emissions Fell for the First Time Since Covid

date: 2024-01-10, from: Heatmap News

For the first time since the pandemic began, both America’s economy and its carbon emissions moved in the right direction last year, according to a major annual estimate of the country’s climate pollution.

America’s greenhouse gas pollution from energy and industrial activities fell by 1.9% in 2023 compared to the year before, even as the broader American economy grew, according to the Rhodium Group, an energy research firm. It’s the first time this decade that the United States has hit the important mark of growing its economy and cutting its climate pollution at the same time.

Yet despite that progress, emissions probably aren’t falling fast enough for the U.S. to hit its climate goals under the Paris Agreement.

The new report is the first to provide a sense of how America’s greenhouse gas emissions changed last year, when the fuel economy of new cars hit an all-time high and the Biden administration’s climate law began to go into effect. The estimate is part of the Rhodium Group’s long-running series of analyses of American emissions, which are regularly cited by experts and government officials.

Here are five big takeaways from the new report:

1. The American economy is becoming less carbon-intensive — and the rate of that change is accelerating.

America’s carbon emissions peaked in 2005, when the U.S. released nearly 7.5 billion tons of greenhouse gases. Since then, the economy has kept growing, but climate pollution has slowly fallen. Last year, America emitted as much carbon as it did in 1991, when the economy was roughly a quarter of its current size.

This trend has picked up recently, according to the new report. Although the American economy has mounted a vigorous recovery from the pandemic recession, emissions remain about 6% below their 2019 level. The U.S. also cut emissions faster this year than it did during the 2010s.

Historical Emissions Trends and Reported Emissions

In million metric tons of CO2 equivalent.Rhodium Group

2. The power grid is driving most of those emissions reductions.

Last year, climate pollution from the power sector fell by 8%, a greater decline than in any other part of the economy.

That’s partly because the coal industry is dying. Coal continues to generate less and less power every year (even though it blipped back up briefly in 2021) as the economics of natural gas, wind, and solar drive it off the grid. Not only did the United States install a record amount of solar in 2023, it also opened its first new nuclear reactor in decades. Last year, for only the second time ever, nuclear power plants generated more electricity than coal plants did.

3. A warm winter also helped.

About 10% of America’s greenhouse gas emissions are produced by buildings, which mostly mean the furnaces in homes and offices. Space heating is the most energy-intensive thing most Americans do in their homes, and the overwhelming majority of American private residences and commercial buildings are heated with fossil fuels.

Thanks to climate change, 2023 was the warmest year ever measured, featuring an especially mild winter in the eastern and southern parts of the country. That meant that — ironically — Americans had to burn less oil, propane, and gas in their tens of millions of furnaces nationwide to keep warm, causing building emissions to fall by about 4% compared to the year before.

4. Transportation and industrial emissions are still problems.

U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Major Emitting Sector

In million metric tons of CO2 equivalent.Rhodium Group

Not every part of the economy saw emissions fall. In the transportation sector, carbon pollution levels rose slightly, driven not by cars and trucks as much as by an increase in air travel, which all but depends on fossil fuels. Last year was the busiest year for air travel in American history, and demand for jet fuel rose 5% compared to 2022.

The industrial sector — a catch-all term for dozens of heavy industries, including steel, cement, mining, and chemicals-making — also increased its emissions last year. Unlike in the power sector (and, for that matter, ground-based transportation), engineers and experts are still figuring out how to do many of the most carbon-intensive industrial activities without releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

But the industrial sector also includes the fossil-fuel industry, and last year, America’s oil and gas production reached an all-time high. Oil and natural gas emit climate pollution not just when they’re burned, but also when they’re extracted, and in 2023, the country’s roaring oil and gas industry was the biggest contributor to the industrial sector’s rising emissions.

Leaking, flaring, or venting natural gas — which is mostly comprised of methane, a greenhouse gas more than 20 times as potent as carbon dioxide over the long term — especially puts additional climate pollution in the air. While the EPA will soon begin enforcing rules that crack down on natural gas-related pollution, those aren’t in place yet.

5. The U.S. remains off its Paris Agreement track.

President Biden has pledged that the United States will cut its emissions in half as compared to their all-time high by 2030. But with six years left to meet that deadline, emissions are only 17.2% below their high.

That means America must roughly triple its pace of pollution reductions — cutting them by 6.9% each year — to meet its goal.

Although carbon pollution is likely to drop more quickly in the next few years, especially as the Inflation Reduction Act and new Environmental Protection Agency rules kick in, emissions cuts of that magnitude are probably not feasible. That said, almost no other country is on track to meet its Paris Agreement goals, either. So at least there’s that.

https://heatmap.news/economy/americas-carbon-emissions-fell-for-the-first-time-since-covid Save to Pocket

---

Blinken Discusses Palestinian Authority Reforms in Abbas Talks

date: 2024-01-10, from: VOA News USA

State Department — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed administrative reforms with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during a meeting Wednesday in the West Bank, along with efforts to boost humanitarian aid to people in the Gaza Strip.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that Blinken “reaffirmed that the United States supports tangible steps towards the creation of a Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel, with both living in peace and security.”

Blinken also called for Israel to transfer all Palestinian tax revenue it collects to the Palestinian authority in accordance with existing agreements.

The Palestinian Authority governs part of the West Bank, while the Hamas militant group has controlled the Gaza Strip where Israel is fighting to eradicate the group.

The United States has envisioned a postwar roadmap that puts Gaza under a Palestinian-led governance with no role for Hamas.

But some analysts are skeptical and play down the prospect.

“I don’t see how the Palestinian Authority will go back into Gaza and assume any kind of meaningful control over what is left of Gaza. They’re having a very hard time maintaining control, even in the West Bank,” Khaled Elgindy, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, told VOA Tuesday.

Blinken has stressed the potential for Israel to win acceptance from Arab neighbors by seeking a path toward establishing a Palestinian state as a means to resolve the longstanding conflict.

Netanyahu has firmly rejected the two-state solution.

Blinken said Tuesday that displaced Palestinians must be able to return home as soon as conditions allow, and Israel has agreed to allow a United Nations mission to evaluate the situation in war-ravaged northern Gaza.

“As Israel’s campaign moves to a lower intensity phase in northern Gaza and as the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] scales down its forces there, we agreed today on a plan for the U.N. to carry out an assessment mission. It will determine what needs to be done to allow displaced Palestinians to return safely to homes in the north,” Blinken told reporters during a Tuesday news conference in Tel Aviv.

The top diplomat also urged Israeli leaders to prevent further harm to Palestinian civilians.

“The daily toll on civilians in Gaza, particularly on children, is far too high,” he said.

International Court of Justice hearings

Later this week, the International Court of Justice will conduct hearings on a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and seeking an emergency suspension of its military campaign.

The United States believes the case is meritless and that it distracts from Israel’s efforts to fight threats from Hamas militants and other Iran proxies, including Hezbollah and the Houthis, according to Blinken.

“We want this war to end as soon as possible,” he said. “But it’s vital that Israel achieves its very legitimate objectives of ensuring that October 7 can never happened again.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has rejected the genocide charge filed at the International Court of Justice, calling the accusation “atrocious and preposterous.”

Hostages held in Gaza

On Tuesday, Blinken held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Herzog, Foreign Minister Israel Katz, and other senior officials from Israel’s war Cabinet in Tel Aviv.

“The Secretary and Prime Minister discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages and the importance of increasing the level of humanitarian assistance reaching civilians in Gaza,” according to a statement from the State Department.

“In this regard, the Secretary welcomed the appointment of Sigrid Kaag as the UN’s Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, pledging close cooperation with her in this new capacity,” the statement added.

Blinken also met on Tuesday with the families of some of the hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza. And he relayed to Israeli leaders some of what he heard from other leaders in the region during stops in Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Gaza health officials say more than 23,000 Palestinians, a large percentage of them women and children, have been killed in Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Escalation in no one’s interest

After an Israeli airstrike killed a key Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon on Monday — the latest sign of a possibly widening conflict in the Middle East — Blinken told reporters it is clearly not in the interest of Israel, Lebanon or Hezbollah to see an escalation outside Gaza.

Hezbollah has identified the commander as Wissam al-Tawil. Last week, senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri was killed in a drone strike in Beirut. Hamas and Hezbollah are both U.S. designated terrorist organizations, and both are backed by Iran, whose militant allies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen have been carrying out longer-range attacks against Israel.

The United States has urged Israel to shift to smaller-scale military operations in Gaza but has continued to support Israel in refusing Arab demands for a cease-fire in the three-month war. Israel has vowed to continue the war until it believes the threat of future Hamas attacks has been eradicated and the militant group no longer controls Gaza, a narrow strip of territory along the Mediterranean Sea.

Israel began its military campaign to wipe out Hamas after Hamas fighters crossed into southern Israel on October 7. Israel said about 1,200 people were killed and about 240 captives taken in the terror attack.

Cindy Saine contributed to this report. Some materialcame from Reuters, Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press.

https://www.voanews.com/a/blinken-to-discuss-palestinian-authority-reforms-in-abbas-talks/7433843.html Save to Pocket

---

Ron Perry | Respecting One’s Beliefs

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Signal

In as much as Mr. Stephen Masada responded to my letter on Jan. 3 with three “assumptions,” it is important that I respond this one last time. We all know the popular saying about assuming. I did not accuse Pastor David Hegg of anything except a sin of omission, by not even mentioning religion as […]

The post Ron Perry | Respecting One’s Beliefs appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/ron-perry-respecting-ones-beliefs/ Save to Pocket

---

Jeevan Venkateswaran | Taking Aim for Eagle Scout Project

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Signal

Hi, my name is Jeevan Venkateswaran and for my Eagle Scout service project, I will be constructing and placing 13 archery stands as well as laying down shooting, waiting, side lines and shooting lanes.  This project is needed because it is the only public archery range that is available for the people of the Santa […]

The post Jeevan Venkateswaran | Taking Aim for Eagle Scout Project appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/jeevan-venkateswaran-taking-aim-for-eagle-scout-project/ Save to Pocket

---

How Kroger's Merger Push Leads Back To Alleged Human Trafficker

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Lever News

To defend its controversial corporate consolidation plan, the grocery giant highlighted ties to local growers — including one that hired an alleged human trafficking kingpin.

https://www.levernews.com/how-krogers-merger-push-leads-back-to-alleged-human-trafficker/ Save to Pocket

---

Former Post Office boss returns CBE to sender over computer system scandal

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Minister says Fujitsu could be ‘on the hook’ for compensation pending inquiry

Former Post Office CEO Paula Vennells, at the center of a media storm in recent days, is returning her CBE* following multiple calls for her to be stripped of the title.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/post_office_boss_returns_cbe/ Save to Pocket

---

USG senate hosts first in-person meeting since October

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

The senate inaugurated senator Diana Carpio and amended office hours rules.

The post USG senate hosts first in-person meeting since October appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/10/usg-senate-hosts-first-in-person-meeting-since-october/ Save to Pocket

---

Classifieds – January 10, 2024

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

The Daily Trojan features Classified advertising in each day’s edition. Here you can read, search, and even print out each day’s edition of the Classifieds.

The post Classifieds – January 10, 2024 appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/10/classifieds-january-10-2024/ Save to Pocket

---

Need to make some 3D models but lack the skill and talent? Say, have you tried… AI?

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

That’s going to be a recurring question in 2024

Luma, a generative AI startup building software that transforms text descriptions to corresponding 3D models, just raised $43 million (£34 million) in a series-B funding round led by Andreesen Horowitz, Nvidia, and others. …

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/textto3d_image_startup_luma/ Save to Pocket

---

Today in SCV History (Jan. 10)

date: 2024-01-10, from: SCV New (TV Station)

1847 – John C. Fremont and troops camp at today’s Sierra Hwy. and Newhall Ave. en route to signing a cease-fire agreement with Gen. Andres Pico. [story

https://scvnews.com/today-in-scv-history/ Save to Pocket

---

Celebrating South Korean science fiction

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

Doheny’s East Asian Library focuses on futuristic media in their recent exhibition.

The post Celebrating South Korean science fiction appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/10/celebrating-south-korean-science-fiction/ Save to Pocket

---

More like 30 staying 30: a 2024 trend prediction

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

In the first installment of “That’s Fashion, Sweetie” of the spring, Hadyn Phillips reveals what she predicts the next it-girl may look like.

The post More like 30 staying 30: a 2024 trend prediction appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/10/more-like-30-staying-30/ Save to Pocket

---

Trojans aim to make it three straight wins

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

Men’s basketball takes on Cougars in the final game of their homestand at Galen.

The post Trojans aim to make it three straight wins appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/10/trojans-aim-to-make-it-three-straight-wins/ Save to Pocket

---

Undocumented students should qualify for HSF

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund exclusion of undocumented students sets an unwelcoming narrative.

The post Undocumented students should qualify for HSF appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/10/undocumented-students-should-qualify-for-hsf/ Save to Pocket

---

The Johnson Buffalo Stampede

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

Ryan Johnson follows in his father’s footsteps and defends SoCal hockey legacy with Sabres.

The post The Johnson Buffalo Stampede appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/10/the-johnson-buffalo-stampede/ Save to Pocket

---

Metro must pick heavy rail for Sepulveda

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)

Don’t let the shiny monorail fool you; everyday Angeleno commuters deserve better.

The post Metro must pick heavy rail for Sepulveda appeared first on Daily Trojan.

https://dailytrojan.com/2024/01/10/metro-must-pick-heavy-rail-for-sepulveda/ Save to Pocket

---

Cutting-edge microscopy reveals bottled water has ‘up to 100 times’ more bits of plastic than previously feared

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Gulp!

The average store-bought bottle of water contains somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 to 100 times more minute plastic particles than previously believed, judging from a study published this week.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/water_nanoplastic_pollution/ Save to Pocket

---

Vote for the January 2024 Paid Post

date: 2024-01-10, from: Computer ads from the Past

Voting is open for one week

https://computeradsfromthepast.substack.com/p/vote-for-the-january-2024-paid-post Save to Pocket

---

PSL in curl

date: 2024-01-10, from: Daniel Stenberg Blog

PSL in this context stands for Public Suffix List. It is a list of known public suffixes in domain names. A public suffix is a name under which Internet users can (or historically could) directly register names – other than the top-level domains. One of the most commonly known and used such suffixes is “co.uk”, … Continue reading PSL in curl →

https://daniel.haxx.se/blog/2024/01/10/psl-in-curl/ Save to Pocket

---

Trinity’s Sweitzer takes top spot at Juan Enriquez Memorial

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Signal

Trinity Classical Academy sophomore wrestler Hudson Sweitzer kicked off the new year with his first tournament victory of the year at the Juan Enriquez Memorial held this past weekend at John Glenn High School in Norwalk. Sweitzer pinned all five opponents he faced en route to the title at 190 pounds. Four of his opponents were subdued […]

The post <strong>Trinity’s Sweitzer takes top spot at Juan Enriquez Memorial</strong> appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/trinitys-sweitzer-takes-top-spot-at-juan-enriquez-memorial/ Save to Pocket

---

US, China Conclude Military Talks in Washington

date: 2024-01-10, from: VOA News USA

WASHINGTON — The United States and China wrapped up two days of military talks in Washington Tuesday, the Pentagon said, the latest engagement since the two countries agreed to resume military-to-military ties.

Washington and Beijing are at loggerheads over everything from the future of democratically ruled Taiwan to territorial claims in the South China Sea. Ties are still recovering after the U.S. downed an alleged Chinese spy balloon in February.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed late last year to resume military ties, severed by Beijing after a visit in August 2022 by then-House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.

The 17th round of the talks saw Michael Chase, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, meet China’s Major General Song Yanchao, deputy director of the central military commission office for international military co-operation, the Pentagon said.

“The two sides discussed U.S.-PRC defense relations, and Chase highlighted the importance of maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication in order to prevent competition from veering into conflict,” the statement added, using an acronym for the People’s Republic of China.

Pentagon officials say communication between the two militaries is key to preventing a miscalculation from spiraling into conflict.

The top U.S. military officer, General Charles Q. Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff held a virtual meeting last month with his Chinese counterpart, General Liu Zhenli.

China is willing to develop healthy and stable military-to-military relations with the U.S. “on the basis of equality and respect,” its defense ministry said in a statement Wednesday, citing the meeting.

It urged the U.S. to cut military deployment and “provocative actions” in the South China Sea, as well halt support for such actions by “certain countries,” but did not identify them.

It asked the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and stop arming Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, despite Taiwan’s strong objections, and vowed never to compromise on the issue.

“The United States should fully understand the root causes of the maritime and air security issues, strictly restrain its front-line forces, and stop hyping up (the issues),” it added.

Taiwan is holding presidential and parliamentary polls this weekend amid a ramped-up war of words between Taiwan and China.

 

U.S. officials have cautioned that even with some restoration of military communications, forging truly functional dialog between the two sides could take time.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart in Washington, Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

https://www.voanews.com/a/us-china-conclude-military-talks-in-washington/7433758.html Save to Pocket

---

January 9, 2024

date: 2024-01-10, from: Heather Cox Richardson blog

On the docket today in front of three judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit was the question of whether former presidents can be prosecuted for things they did while in office. The issue at hand is whether Trump can be tried for his attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election, but Trump has also been charged in three other criminal cases: a national case over his mishandling of national security documents, a state case in Georgia for interfering with the 2020 election there, and a state case in New York for paying hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. He is also facing a number of civil cases.

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/january-9-2024 Save to Pocket

---

Pentagon: Defense Secretary Austin Treated for Prostate Cancer

date: 2024-01-10, from: VOA News USA

The Pentagon is now releasing details of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s secretive hospitalization: Austin was treated for prostate cancer in late December, according to medical officials at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and made an emergency trip to its intensive care unit on Jan. 1 due to complications from the procedure. VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb has details.

https://www.voanews.com/a/pentagon-defense-secretary-austin-treated-for-prostate-cancer-/7433741.html Save to Pocket

---

County approves protest hearings for brush clearance program

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Signal

Santa Clarita Valley residents who want to see their properties removed from the Los Angeles County Brush Clearance Inspection Program will have a chance to lobby for that removal. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors approved protest hearings across the county at Tuesday’s meeting, with a hearing in Santa Clarita set for Feb. 24 from 9:30 a.m. […]

The post <strong>County approves protest hearings for brush clearance program</strong> appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/county-approves-protest-hearings-for-brush-clearance-program/ Save to Pocket

---

Uncle Sam wants to make it clear that America’s elections are very, very safe

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

From whom, exactly, we wonder

As America gears up for a contentious presidential election this year, the Department of Justice has launched a campaign to convince the public that each and every qualified vote will be counted, and there won’t be any interference or shenanigans to worry about.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/doj_election_security/ Save to Pocket

---

Biden Not Signaling for a Gaza Cease-Fire, White House Says

date: 2024-01-10, from: VOA News USA

The White House continues to reject mounting calls for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, sending mixed signals amid President Joe Biden’s efforts to appease some Americans’ calls for a cease-fire. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report.

https://www.voanews.com/a/biden-not-signaling-for-a-gaza-cease-fire-white-house-says-/7433725.html Save to Pocket

---

DALL-E’s New Guardrails: Fast, Furious, and Far from Airtight

date: 2024-01-10, from: Gary Marcus blog

If we had to guess, line that’s going to live in infamy from yesterday’s OpenAI announcement, a reply to the New York Times lawsuit, is probably the one that says “Regurgitation” is a rare bug that we are working to drive to zero”. Our view? Good luck with that.

https://garymarcus.substack.com/p/dall-es-new-guardrails-fast-furious Save to Pocket

---

Suspected Tumon shooter identified as Keoki Junior Santos

date: 2024-01-10, from: Guam Daily Post

Prison records: Santos was on pretrial release

https://www.postguam.com/news/suspected-tumon-shooter-identified-as-keoki-junior-santos/article_beb171a0-af56-11ee-b8a8-8f044208d183.html Save to Pocket

---

SEC Chair Denies Bitcoin ETF Approved, Says X Account Was Hacked

date: 2024-01-10, from: VOA News USA

new york — The Securities and Exchange Commission said Tuesday that a post sent from the agency’s account on the social platform X announcing the approval of a long-awaited bitcoin exchange-traded fund was “unauthorized,” and that the agency’s account was hacked. 

The price of bitcoin briefly spiked more than $1,000 after the post on X, formerly known as Twitter, claimed “The SEC grants approval for #Bitcoin ETFs for listing on all registered national securities exchanges.” Cryptocurrency investors had already driven bitcoin’s price above $46,000 in anticipation of the approval. 

An ETF would provide a way to invest in bitcoin without having to buy the cryptocurrency outright on a crypto exchange such as Binance or Coinbase. 

But soon after the initial post appeared, SEC Chairman Gary Gensler said on his personal account that the SEC’s account was compromised and, “The SEC has not approved the listing and trading of spot bitcoin exchange-traded products.” Gensler called the post unauthorized without providing further explanation. 

“Welp,” wrote Cory Klippsten, CEO of Swan Bitcoin, on X. Like many bitcoin investors, Klippsten had been expecting the agency to approve bitcoin ETFs potentially as soon as this week. 

The price of bitcoin swung from about $46,730 to just below $48,000 after the unauthorized post hit, then dropped to around $45,200 after the SEC’s denial. It was trading around $46,150 at 6:15 p.m. ET. 

It was unclear how the SEC’s social media account was hacked. Shortly after Gensler’s statement, it appeared that the SEC had gotten control over the account. 

Politicians, particularly Republicans who have long expressed frustration at how Gensler operates the SEC, quickly expressed anger at the SEC’s lax security controls over its accounts. 

“Just like the SEC would demand accountability from a public company if they made a colossal market-moving mistake, Congress needs answers on what just happened,” said Senator Bill Hagerty, who sits on the Senate Banking Committee. 

This is not the first time there has been false market-moving information about the future of bitcoin on regulated exchanges. A false report in October implied that fund manager BlackRock had gotten approval for bitcoin ETF, causing bitcoin prices to jump sharply. 

Elon Musk gutted Twitter’s content moderation and security teams after taking over the platform in late 2022. And while internet watchdog groups have complained about a spike in toxic content, including antisemitic and other hate speech on X, many also worry about account integrity. 

“The consequences of account takeovers could potentially be significant, and especially during an election year,” said Brett Callow, an analyst with the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft. 

A spokesperson for X did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

https://www.voanews.com/a/sec-chair-denies-bitcoin-etf-approved-says-x-account-was-hacked-/7433707.html Save to Pocket

---

Ex-porn star at home pending next hearing in rape case 

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Signal

An L.A. County Superior Court judge has released a former porn star accused of dozens of sexual assaults in a series of allegations stretching back decades.  Ron Jeremy Hyatt has been deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial due to his inability to assist in his own defense, after his longtime attorney and friend Stuart Goldfarb […]

The post Ex-porn star at home pending next hearing in rape case  appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/ex-porn-star-at-home-pending-next-hearing-in-rape-case/ Save to Pocket

---

Redeployment Part One

date: 2024-01-10, from: brr, an Antarctica IT blog

Emerging from winter and preparing for our first flight!

https://brr.fyi/posts/redeployment-part-one Save to Pocket

---

Blinken Meets With Israeli Leaders, Says Palestinians Must Be Able to Return to Their Homes

date: 2024-01-10, from: VOA News USA

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says that Israel has agreed to allow the United Nations to conduct an assessment of conditions in northern Gaza, as displaced Palestinian civilians taking refuge in the south of the enclave are begging to return to their homes. VOA’s Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports from the State Department

https://www.voanews.com/a/blinken-meets-with-israeli-leaders-says-palestinians-must-be-able-to-return-to-their-homes/7433696.html Save to Pocket

---

Family, friends seek justice for Chad

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Signal

The prosecution and defense have rested.   The jurors have spoken, too.   They ultimately took less than four hours to find Bryn Spejcher guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the brutal, cannabis-induced 2018 fatal stabbing of Chad O’Melia, a Hart High School graduate who was killed in his Thousand Oaks home.  But family and friends of Chad […]

The post Family, friends seek justice for Chad appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/family-friends-seek-justice-for-chad/ Save to Pocket

---

This laptop was made to be hacked

date: 2024-01-10, from: Tilde.news

Comments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DA0Jr4WH-4 Save to Pocket

---

With OpenAI GPT Store imminent, apps are already being ripped off by copycats

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Low-code gubbins may not be able to count on much platform protection

Updated  OpenAI’s GPT Store, expected to launch Wednesday – has been hyped as a replay of the Apple App Store gold rush of 2008.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/with_openai_gpt_store_imminent/ Save to Pocket

---

Humane Lays Off 4 Percent of Employees Before Releasing Its AI Pin

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: Daring Fireball

https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/9/24032274/humane-layoffs-ai-pin Save to Pocket

---

The Appointed Judges

date: 2024-01-10, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News

The balance of power of democracy by all legal participants of an election does not exist if elected people are irresponsible and politically motivated to make appointments of judges that ignore or are ignorant of the law in their judicial process and allow their decisions be political in nature.

The post The Appointed Judges appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

https://www.independent.com/2024/01/09/the-appointed-judges/ Save to Pocket

---

Biden Not Signaling for Gaza Cease-Fire, White House Says

date: 2024-01-10, from: VOA News USA

https://www.voanews.com/a/biden-not-signaling-for-gaza-cease-fire-white-house-says/7433667.html Save to Pocket

---

GMHA reinstates mask mandate for patient care areas

date: 2024-01-10, from: Guam Daily Post

Due to a significant uptick in COVID-19 cases, the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority has reinstated a temporary mask mandate for clinical patient care areas.

https://www.postguam.com/news/gmha-reinstates-mask-mandate-for-patient-care-areas/article_aa1f6528-af4f-11ee-8a4c-e782e15b54d3.html Save to Pocket

---

The 18th Annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive

date: 2024-01-10, from: SCV New (TV Station)

The American Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels and now faces an emergency blood shortage. In recent weeks distributions of some of the most transfused blood types have been limited to Los Angeles County area hospitals. The American Red Cross need donors now, and in the weeks ahead, to help rebuild the blood supply

https://scvnews.com/donate-during-18th-annual-battle-of-the-badges-blood-drive/ Save to Pocket

---

Charges filed in Culver City sexual assault case that led to arrest in SCV

date: 2024-01-10, from: The Signal

By Signal Staff County District Attorney George Gascón and Culver City Police Chief Jason Sims held a news conference Tuesday announcing felony charges in a case that ended with the suspect being arrested in the Santa Clarita Valley.  Marcos Maldonado was charged with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in her Culver City home.   “I […]

The post Charges filed in Culver City sexual assault case that led to arrest in SCV appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

https://signalscv.com/2024/01/charges-filed-in-culver-city-sexual-assault-case-that-led-to-arrest-in-scv/ Save to Pocket

---

Suehiro Cafe Serves Its Last Meals In Little Tokyo

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The LAist

The restaurant is being evicted after more than 50 years in the neighborhood.

https://laist.com/news/food/suehiro-cafe-closes-little-tokyo-los-angeles Save to Pocket

---

Whoa, take a look at the Carice TC2, a tiny Porsche-inspired EV…

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: Jason Kittke’s blog

https://kottke.org/24/01/0043753-whoa-take-a-look-at Save to Pocket

---

Hobbes OS/2 Archive to shut down in three months

date: 2024-01-10, from: OS News

We’ve got some seriously bad news for the OS/2 community. Hobbes, the massive software archive for OS/2 (and thus eComStation and ArcaOS), which hosts both old software as well as more recent releases, is shutting down in three months. After many years of service, hobbes.nmsu.edu will be decommissioned and will no longer be available. You the user are responsible for downloading any of the files found in this archive if you want them. These files will no longer be available for access or download as of the decommission date. As of April 15th, 2024 this site will no longer exist. No one will be able to access this site or any information/files stored on this site as of April 15th, 2024. I don’t even know how old Hobbes is, but I feel like it’s been around for decades. Seeing it being shut down is incredibly sad to read, but also a sign of the times for whatever’s left of the OS/2 community. Two of the four listed mirrors seem to be up, namely SunSITE Poland and Infania Networks in Sweden. We’ll see how long those last, but my advice to anyone interested in OS/2 – download the Hobbes archive and store it locally.

https://www.osnews.com/story/138249/hobbes-os-2-archive-to-shut-down-in-three-months/ Save to Pocket

---

SBART Press Luncheon: Maleka Wilcox and Luke Zuffelato Receive Athlete of the Week Awards

date: 2024-01-10, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News

UCSB picked up big victories over Cal Poly in men’s and women’s basketball.

The post SBART Press Luncheon: Maleka Wilcox and Luke Zuffelato Receive Athlete of the Week Awards appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

https://www.independent.com/2024/01/09/sbart-press-luncheon-maleka-wilcox-and-luke-zuffelato-receive-athlete-of-the-week-awards/ Save to Pocket

---

The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid combines a Windows 11 PC with an Android tablet

date: 2024-01-10, from: OS News

Confirming a previous leak, Lenovo officially announced the ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid during its CES 2024 product reveals. It combines a Windows 11 notebook with a 14-inch OLED 2.8K touchscreen display that can detach from the keyboard and be used as an stand-alone Android 13 tablet. ↫ John Callaham I’m not even sure why I’m posting this, other than that it perfectly illustrates the problems Windows on one side, and Android on the other, face in providing the full device spectrum to users. Windows only really works on desktops and laptops, while Android only really works on smartphones and tablet. As such, Frankenstein devices like these have to be made to cover the entire spectrum. I kind of want one.

https://www.osnews.com/story/138247/the-lenovo-thinkbook-plus-gen-5-hybrid-combines-a-windows-11-pc-with-an-android-tablet/ Save to Pocket

---

What’s coming to Android in 2024

date: 2024-01-10, from: OS News

It’s CES, and Google has made a number of disparate, small announcements about upcoming Android features. 9To5Google has collected them all, and it seems there’s not many things of interest here, nor are there any big changes or improvements. The only thing that stands out to me is that easy Bluetooth device pairing is coming to more scenarios. First announced at CES 2022, Fast Pair support is rolling out to the Chromecast with Google TV “in the next month.” This seamless Bluetooth pairing with an onscreen “Connect now” prompt for headphones is coming to “more Google TV devices later this year.” ↫ Abner Li for 9To5Google Bluetooth pairing is an unpleasant experience, so seeing fast pairing become more popular is good news.

https://www.osnews.com/story/138244/whats-coming-to-android-in-2024/ Save to Pocket

---

Official: Hewlett Packard Enterprise wants to swallow Juniper Networks in $14B deal

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)

Monopoly watchdogs permitting

Hewlett Packard Enterprise officially announced Tuesday its intent to acquire Juniper Networks in a deal valued at $40 per share, or roughly $14 billion.…

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/10/hewlett_packard_enterprise_snaps_up/ Save to Pocket

---

Housing Advocates Sue City Of LA For Stalling Affordable Housing Near Single-Family Homes

date: 2024-01-10, updated: 2024-01-10, from: The LAist

Mayor Karen Bass decided last year to exclude single-family neighborhoods from her signature housing policy. Now the city faces a lawsuit over the change.

https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/los-angeles-affordable-housing-ed1-karen-bass-mayor-yimby-law-lawsuit-winnetka Save to Pocket

---

Wednesday 10 January, 2024

date: 2024-01-10, from: John Naughton’s online diary

Analog/digital This is the kind of daft things that photographers do (well, this photographer anyway) when they should be working. It’s a photograph taken with an iPhone of what a venerable analog camera (a Hasselblad 501CM) saw yesterday morning. (And, … Continue reading →

https://memex.naughtons.org/wednesday-10-january-2024/39012/ Save to Pocket

---

Review | Brad Williams at the Santa Barbara Lobero, January 6, 2024

date: 2024-01-10, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News

Williams delivers — and doesn’t hold back on taboo topics — at a doubleheader night of comedy at the Lobero.

The post Review | Brad Williams at the Santa Barbara Lobero, January 6, 2024 appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.

https://www.independent.com/2024/01/09/review-brad-williams-at-the-santa-barbara-lobero-january-6-2023/ Save to Pocket

---

Dexterous helical magnetic robot for improved endovascular access

date: 2024-01-10, from: ETH Zurich, recently added

Dreyfus, Roland

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11850/651465 Save to Pocket

---

Getting clues from nature: the impact of grass hay on suckling piglets’ gastrointestinal growth and colonic microbiota

date: 2024-01-10, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

The effect of dietary fiber on pig production has been extensively evaluated. Inspired by observations of the diet of wild, young piglets, this study aimed to examine the possibility of feeding grass hay to suckling piglets besides concentrated creep feed.

The sow-nursed piglets in this study were divided into two groups based on balanced sow parities. The control group (CON, n = 7 sows) only received a regular, concentrated creep feed, while the treatment piglets (GH, n = 8 sows) were also provided with chopped grass hay from 2 days of age until weaning (28 days). At weaning, one piglet with a median weight was selected from each litter for post-mortem evaluation. Subsequently, six pigs around median weight per sow were grouped into nursery pens and monitored for their feed intake and body weight gain until 9 weeks of age.

Piglets in GH consumed, on average, 57 g of grass hay per piglet during the entire lactation period. The emptied weight of the small and large intestine was significantly greater in GH (280 vs. 228 g, 88.8 vs. 79.3 g, respectively, p < 0.05), and the length of the large intestine was stimulated by the grass hay (164 vs. 150 cm, p < 0.05). Morphologically, the villus height in the jejunum was higher in GH (p < 0.05). In the large intestine, the crypt depth of the mid-colon was lower in GH. Moreover, the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations in the cecum were increased in GH compared to CON (1,179 vs. 948 µmol/g dry matter, p < 0.05), whereas in the colon, SCFA concentrations were lower in CON (341 vs. 278 µmol/g dry matter, p < 0.05). There was no major impact of grass hay inclusion on the colonic microbiota composition. Only a trend was observed for a lower inverse of the classical Simpson (InvSimpon) index and a higher abundance of Lactobacillus genera in GH. After weaning, no significant differences in feed intake and body weight gain were observed. In conclusion, supplementing the grass hay to suckling piglets led to alterations in intestinal morphology, increased SCFA fermentation in proximal sections of large intestine, stimulation of gastrointestinal tract growth, and subtle modifications in colonic microbiota.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1341147 Save to Pocket

---

In vitro inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm formation by DZ2002 through regulation of extracellular DNA and alginate production

date: 2024-01-10, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a common pathogen associated with biofilm infections, which can lead to persistent infections. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new anti-biofilm drugs. DZ2002 is a reversible inhibitor that targets S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase and possesses anti-inflammatory and immune-regulatory activities. However, its anti-biofilm activity has not been reported yet.

Therefore, we investigated the effect of DZ2002 on P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm formation by crystal violet staining (CV), real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The results indicated that although DZ2002 didn’t affect the growth of planktonic PAO1, it could significantly inhibit the formation of mature biofilms. During the inhibition of biofilm formation by DZ2002, there was a parallel decrease in the synthesis of alginate and the expression level of alginate genes, along with a weakening of swarming motility. However, these results were unrelated to the expression of lasI, lasR, rhII, rhIR. Additionally, we also found that after treatment with DZ2002, the biofilms and extracellular DNA content of PAO1 were significantly reduced. Molecular docking results further confirmed that DZ2002 had a strong binding affinity with the active site of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SahH) of PAO1.

In summary, our results indicated that DZ2002 may interact with SahH in PAO1, inhibiting the formation of mature biofilms by downregulating alginate synthesis, extracellular DNA production and swarming motility. These findings demonstrate the potential value of DZ2002 in treating biofilm infections associated with P. aeruginosa.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1333773 Save to Pocket

---

Effects of OxyR regulator on oxidative stress, Apx toxin secretion and virulence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

date: 2024-01-10, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia, poses a significant threat to global swine populations due to its high prevalence, mortality rates, and substantial economic ramifications. Understanding the pathogen’s defense mechanisms against host-produced reactive oxygen species is crucial for its survival, with OxyR, a conserved bacterial transcription factor, being pivotal in oxidative stress response.

This study investigated the presence and role of OxyR in A. pleuropneumoniae serovar 1-12 reference strains. Transcriptomic analysis was conducted on an oxyR disruption mutant to delineate the biological activities influenced by OxyR. Additionally, specific assays were employed to assess urease activity, catalase expression, ApxI toxin secretion, as well as adhesion and invasion abilities of the oxyR disruption mutant on porcine 3D4/21 and PT cells. A mice challenge experiment was also conducted to evaluate the impact of oxyR inactivation on A. pleuropneumoniae virulence.

OxyR was identified as a conserved regulator present in A. pleuropneumoniae serovar 1-12 reference strains. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the involvement of OxyR in multiple biological activities. The oxyR disruption resulted in decreased urease activity, elevated catalase expression, enhanced ApxI toxin secretion—attributed to OxyR binding to the apxIBD promoter—and reduced adhesion and invasion abilities on porcine cells. Furthermore, inactivation of oxyR reduced the virulence of A. pleuropneumoniae in a mice challenge experiment.

The findings highlight the pivotal role of OxyR in influencing the virulence mechanisms of A. pleuropneumoniae. The observed effects on various biological activities underscore OxyR as an essential factor contributing to the pathogenicity of this bacterium.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1324760 Save to Pocket

---

Prevalence and resistance characteristics of multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from the respiratory tracts of hospitalized children in Shenzhen, China

date: 2024-01-10, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

PCV13 introduction in China has led to a significant reduction of vaccine serotype Streptococcus pneumoniae. However, non-vaccine serotypes with highly resistance and invasiveness were often reported in the post-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine era and there was regional differences.

A total of 669 S. pneumoniae strains were collected from the respiratory tracts of hospitalized children at Shenzhen Children’s Hospital in 2021 and 2022. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) characteristics were assessed through antibiotic susceptibility testing performed with the VITEK 2 compact system. AMR genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in pbp1a, pbp2b, and pbp2x were identified via analysis of whole genome sequencing data. Statistical examination of the data was conducted employing chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests.

We found that non-vaccine serotypes strains had accounted for 46.6% of all the pneumococcal isolated strains. The most common non-vaccine serotype is 23A, with a prevalence rate of 8.9%, followed by 15A (6.6%), 6E (5.7%), 34 (3.2%), and 15B (2.9%). The multidrug resistance rates (MDR) of vaccine serotypes were 19F (99.36%), 19A (100%), 23F (98.08%), 6B (100%), and 6C (100%). Meanwhile, the MDR of non-vaccine serotypes were 15B (100.00%), 6E (100%), 15C (100%), 34 (95.24%), and 23A (98.31%). Resistance rates of 6E to more than six antibiotic classes reached 89.47%, which is similar to 19F (83.33%) and 19A (90%). Unique resistance profiles were also identified for non-vaccine serotypes, including significantly higher resistance to chloramphenicol in 6E, 15B, and 15C than in 19F and 19A. Furthermore, through genome sequencing, we revealed strong correlation of cat-TC with chloramphenicol resistance, patA/patB with tetracycline resistance, ermB and pmrA with erythromycin resistance.

The introduction of PCV13 into China from 2017 has led to a shift in the dominant composition of pneumococcal strains. There has been a notable rise and spread of multidrug-resistant non-vaccine serotypes among children. Specifically, the non-vaccine serotype 6E, which was not widely reported in China previously, has emerged. To comprehend the resistance mechanisms, it is crucial to further investigate the molecular and genetic characteristics of these non-vaccine serotypes.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1332472 Save to Pocket

---

Case report: Enhancing prognosis in severe COVID-19 through human herpes virus coinfection treatment strategies

date: 2024-01-10, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

In the context of increasing reports of co-infection with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly with human herpes viruses (HHVs), it is important to consider the appropriate treatment options for HHVs that have been reactivated by COVID-19.

This study presents two cases of severe COVID-19 with HHV co-infection. The first case involved a critically ill patient with COVID-19 co-infected with herpes simplex virus type 1, confirmed using metagenomic next-generation sequencing, and another patient with severe COVID-19 experiencing Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation, as evidenced by elevated EBV-DNA levels in the serum. Treatment included high-dose glucocorticoids and sivelestat sodium, with notable improvements observed after initiating ganciclovir anti-herpesvirus therapy.

This study underscores the significance of recognizing HHV co-infections in severe COVID-19 cases and highlights the potential of combining anti-HHV treatment, increased glucocorticoid dosages, and anti-cytokine storm therapy to enhance prognosis.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1320933 Save to Pocket

---

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia complex: insights into evolutionary relationships, global distribution and pathogenicity

date: 2024-01-10, from: Frontiers in Cellar and Infection Microbiology

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia complex (Smc) comprises opportunistic Gram-negative bacilli responsible for various nosocomial infections. Limited data exists concerning its evolutionary lineage, global prevalence and pathogenicity.

We conducted an extensive genomic analysis on 734 Smc genomes, of which 90 were newly sequenced and isolated from different patients. The species composition and evolutionary relationships of Smc were examined using core protein sequence analysis. Pathogenicity evaluation was used by assays for swimming motility, biofilm formation and identification of virulence factors. The broth microdilution method was used to evaluate the drug resistance spectrum of clinical isolates.

Phylogenetic analyses delineated 24 species-level clades, dominated by S. maltophilia (42.8%), S. sepilia (13.6%) and S. geniculata (9.9%). Geographically, strains were primarily distributed in Europe (34.2%), Asia (33.7%) and North America (24.0%), with intricate global distribution patterns. Meanwhile, 154 virulence-associated genes and 46 antimicrobial resistance genes within Smc were identified. These genes encoded span various functions, including motility, adherence, toxin, RND antibiotic efflux pumps, beta-lactamases and aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes. Moreover, significant variations were indicated in swimming motility and biofilm-forming capability across the different species, with S. sepilia exhibiting superior levels of both traits. Additionally, no statistically significant discrepancy was detected among Smc species to other antibiotics, despite the fact that all S. geniculata isolates were resistant to Ceftazidime and much higher than other species.

Our findings indicate the need to pay increased attention to other mainstream species of Smc besides S. maltophilia in order to better manage Smc-related infections and tailor effective treatment strategies.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1325379 Save to Pocket