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EartherClimate ChangeWe’re All Going to be Moving to Siberia by Century’s End
If you’re the type to speculate on real estate and humanity not getting its shit together to address climate change, may I interest you in a little corner of the world called Siberia. Sure, Siberia is shorthand for “cold as balls” today. But unchecked climate change could make it an oasis capable of sustaining a … Continued
By Brian Kahn -
Tech NewsPrivacy & SecurityRussia Plans to Block Major VPNs as Next Step in Closing Up Internet
Russia is getting closer to implementing the sort of internet regulations that exist under the Great Firewall of China. Earlier this year, internet providers began preparing to conduct tests to find out if Russia can build an internet disconnected from the rest of the world. Now, Russia plans to block major VPN (virtual private network) … Continued
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Tech NewsRussia’s 2016 Twitter Propaganda Machine Was Carefully Built And Wildly Successful, Researchers Find
The Russian disinformation campaign leading up to the 2016 American presidential election was bigger in scope and coordination than reported earlier, according to new analysis from the American cybersecurity company Symantec. Twitter released a data set of reportedly Russian-controlled disinformation actors totaling 3,900 accounts and 10 million tweets in October 2018. Analyzed by Symantec, research … Continued
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Tech NewsNorwegian Fishermen Discover Beluga Whale That Might Be Working with the Russian Navy
Norwegian fishermen discovered a beluga whale wearing a harness off the country’s northern coast last week. The fishermen were fascinated with how tame it was, but there might be a good reason that it was comfortable around humans. Scientists from Norway’s Institute of Marine Research suspect the whale and its harness may be part of … Continued
By Matt Novak -
Tech NewsArtificial IntelligenceThe Mueller Report Reminds Us How Cheap Automation Fueled the Russia Mess
Like everyone else in journalism or the journalism-adjacent world, or anyone who owns a television or internet-connected device, or pretty much anyone who lacked the foresight to drive into the desert yesterday, I found myself powerless but to stare into the semi-redacted collapsing star that is the Mueller Report. Still, as I read through the … Continued
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Tech NewsKaspersky Lab Saga Grows Weirder as Critics of the Security Firm Say Bumbling Spy Tried to Discredit Them
A man who goes by the name Lucas Lambert reportedly spent months setting up meetings with three cybersecurity experts under false pretenses last year, hoping to get them to say that they were paid to criticize Kaspersky Lab. Lambert was unsuccessful, but the attempt sheds new light on alleged covert activity potentially carried out on … Continued
By Matt Novak -
Tech NewsJulian Assange Dragged Out of Ecuadorian Embassy and Arrested by British Police
Julian Assange has been arrested by police in London after almost seven years in the Ecuadorian embassy. The WikiLeaks founder was dragged out of the embassy at approximately 10:35 am local time, 5:35 am ET. Assange was formally charged by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) this morning with, “conspiracy to commit computer intrusion for … Continued
By Matt Novak -
EartherConservationRussia Will Finally Free 100 Whales Being Held in ‘Whale Prison’ For Sale to Chinese Aquariums
In China, the market for marine mammals is booming. The country is home to 76 theme parks that revolve around dolphins and other cetaceans, with at least 25 more planned. These parks are a sight to behold, but behind every beluga whale trick show there’s a dark backstory. The demand for marine mammals to fill these … Continued
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Tech NewsRussian Military Journal Claims Psychic Soldiers Can Crash Computers and Control Dolphins
A journal published by Russia’s Ministry of Defense became the subject of mockery this week after publishing claims that “Russian specialists” have communicated with dolphins, crashed computer programs, and even looked into safes using the power of telepathy. As first highlighted by Russian media outlet RBC, the February issue of Army Collection featured a story … Continued
By Hudson Hongo -
Tech NewsPoliticsBarr’s Summary of Russian Cyber Interference in the 2016 Election Is Comically Light on Details
On Sunday, Attorney General William Barr released his summary of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s inquiry into alleged Russian interference to boost Donald Trump in the 2016 elections—a report that states it took “19 lawyers who were assisted by a team of approximately 40 FBI agents, intelligence analysts, forensic accountants, and other professional staff,” 2,800 subpoenas, … Continued
By Tom McKay -
Tech News‘Fake News’ Bill Signed Into Law in Russia
A pair of bills that limit speech online were signed into law by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, promising harsh penalties for those who criticize the nation and its officials or post fake news. Those who repeatedly post disrespectful content about authorities—including Putin—could spend up to 15 days in jail. And individuals who share … Continued
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Tech News
18-Year-Old Arrested in New Zealand For Sharing Terrorist’s Facebook Video
An 18-year-old man who shared a video of Friday’s terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand has been charged with distributing the video and inciting violence. The man allegedly posted a photo of one of the mosques targeted in Friday’s attacks with the words “target acquired.” He faces up to 28 years in prison, according to … Continued
By Matt Novak -
Tech News
Russian Lawmakers Pass Bills Banning Fake News and ‘Disrespect’ of Officials Online
A pair of bills that prohibit spreading fake news and insulting authorities just made it one step closer to becoming law in Russia. Passed by Russia’s lower house today, one bill would punish people who post disrespectful content about the nation and its officials. Repeated violators of that law could face up to 15 days … Continued
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Tech News
How to Make Sense of U.S. Cyber Command’s Latest Spat With Russian Trolls
The Americans hack the Russians, the Russians hack the Americans, this is the song that never ends. But what comes next on our merry-go-round? On Tuesday, the Washington Post reported that U.S. Cyber Command hacked and “shut down” the Russian Internet Research Agency (IRA) during the U.S. midterm elections in November. The IRA is that … Continued
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Tech News
Kaspersky Lab Really Can’t Catch a Break
Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab has struggled to regain its reputation after it was accused of aiding Russian intelligence operations and its software was banned from use by the U.S. government. But on Tuesday, another layer of mystery was added to the story when a Russian court convicted a senior researcher at Kaspersky Lab of … Continued
By Rhett Jones -
Tech NewsPrivacy & SecurityHuawei Now Just Trolling U.S. by Dredging Up Edward Snowden
“Prism, prism on the wall, who’s the most trustworthy of them all?” said Huawei’s rotating chairman Guo Ping on stage on Tuesday at Mobile World Congress 2019. But Guo wasn’t talking about Snow White. He was poking fun at the massive surveillance programs maintained by the United States. Huawei is under fire around the world … Continued
By Matt Novak -
Tech NewsHow to Watch Michael Cohen Testify About President Trump and WikiLeaks Today
President Donald Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, will testify publicly today on Capitol Hill at 10 am ET, 7 am PT. And judging by his written statement, which was released last night, it’s going to be one for the history books. But how can you watch this important testimony in the middle of … Continued
By Matt Novak -
Tech NewsSocial Media
Facebook Suspends Three Pages With Millions of Video Views, Saying They Need to Disclose Russia Ties
Facebook has suspended three video-centric pages run by Maffick Media, a company mostly owned by Ruptly, a subsidiary of the state-run RT (formerly Russia Today) network, CNN reported on Friday. According to CNN’s report, Facebook said it would reach out to the owners of the pages, who it said did not properly disclose where the … Continued
By Tom McKay -
Tech NewsPrivacy & Security
Russia to Test Whether Its Internet Can Be Disconnected From the Rest of the World
Internet providers in Russia are preparing to conduct exercises that will help the nation build a path toward possible internet independence, according to Russian news reports. Russian news outlet RosBiznesKonsalting reported the tests were set in motion by a proposed law called the Digital Economy National Program, which parliament introduced last December. The tests should … Continued
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Earther
Russian Authorities Declare State of Emergency After ‘Mass Invasion’ of Polar Bears in Remote Settlement
Russian authorities have declared a state of emergency in the remote, sparsely populated Novaya Zemlya islands in the Arctic Ocean, the BBC reported this weekend, after “dozens” of polar bears whose food sources are limited due to climate change started rooting through homes and other buildings near the settlement of Belushya Guba looking for something … Continued
By Tom McKay