Odds and Ends — 6 December 2022
I’ve been playing around with DeepDreamGenerator’s newish “text prompt” artificial intelligence image creator. This image was generated from the prompt “In the old days, I was not thought of as much of a cook. My mouse stew recipe changed all that.”
Cryptocurrency, Investing, Money, Economy, Business, and Debt:
Ledger Partners With iPod Creator Tony Fadell to Build Latest Hardware Wallet
Germany Confronts a Broken Business Model
Companies across Germany have been scrambling to adjust to the near disappearance of Russian gas. They have dimmed the lights, switched to oil — and, as a last resort cut production. Some are even thinking about moving operations to countries where energy is cheaper. That is triggering deep concern about the future of German industry and the sustainability of the country’s business model, which has long been predicated on the cheap energy guaranteed by a plentiful supply of Russian gas.
India is set to become the first country ever to receive $100 billion a year in remittances
Musk’s Neuralink faces federal probe, employee backlash over animal tests
Elon Musk’s Neuralink, a medical device company, is under federal investigation for potential animal-welfare violations amid internal staff complaints that its animal testing is being rushed, causing needless suffering and deaths…
Coronavirus News, Analysis, and Opinion:
China Covid: Xi's face-saving exit from his signature policy
Hackers Linked to China Stole Covid Relief Benefits
The theft of taxpayer funds by the Chengdu-based hacking group known as APT41 is the first instance of pandemic fraud tied to foreign, state-sponsored cybercriminals that the U.S. government has acknowledged publicly, but may just be the tip of the iceberg.
Politics:
Giuliani Dissembles And Defends 2020 Plots As He Fights To Keep DC Law License
Both members of the hearing board and Hamilton Fox, the disciplinary counsel, repeatedly pleaded for Giuliani to stop pontificating and to only answer the questions at hand. But nevertheless, Giuliani persisted, claiming that what he did was righteous, professing ignorance of Pennsylvania election law, and accusing those present of bias.
U.S. Altered Himars Rocket Launchers to Keep Ukraine From Firing Missiles Into Russia
Hmmm… I wonder if the same is true for the HIMARS we’re selling to Estonia.
Trump Owed Hidden Debt While In Office
Donald Trump is actively trying to destroy the Constitution, but these "patriots" are protesting drag shows. pic.twitter.com/LSdxNjXRrZ
— Middle Age Riot (@middleageriot) December 5, 2022
Explosion at Nuclear Airbase Just 150 Miles From Moscow Opens Stunning New Phase of War
Um, yeah, whatever. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Netanyahu Gives Ultranationalist Authority Over West Bank
What could possibly go wrong?
Ex-Miami congressman Rivera arrested in Venezuela probe
A former Miami congressman who signed a $50 million consulting contract with Venezuela’s socialist government has been arrested in connection to an ongoing federal criminal investigation, law enforcement officials said. David Rivera, a Republican who served from 2011 to 2013, was arrested Monday at Atlanta’s airport…
John Bolton Says He Would Run to Stop Trump
If we conducted a very thorough search, we might be able to find seven or eight people who’d be excited about a Bolton run for the White House.
Russians Grow Weary of Ukraine War
The number of Russians in favor of continuing the war in Ukraine has fallen dramatically, with just one in four now supporting the conflict, according to leaked Kremlin opinion polls. In July, 57 percent of respondents said they wanted to see Russian troops remain in Ukraine. That figure has fallen to 25 percent. Support for negotiations to end the nine-month conflict has risen from 32 percent to 55 percent.
Trump Paying the Legal Bills of Mar-a-Lago Witnesses
Oh no, nothing fishy about that. Not at all. Move along folks, nothing to see here.
U.S. Proposes Selling Air Defense Missiles to Taiwan
The US has proposed selling Taiwan as many as 100 of its most advanced Patriot air-defense missiles along with radar and support equipment in a deal valued at $882 million.
Serendipity:
DRIED UP: In California, desalination offers only partial solution to growing drought
The fossil fuel industry’s deceptive campaign to kill offshore wind
A climate denial group is trying to turn public opinion against clean energy by disguising their agenda as pro-environment.
Badge thanks to @arcange
