Links 30/01/2024: 'Call of Duty' Latest Casualty of Microsoft's Mass Layoffs (All That's Left is Overhyped Vapourware)
Contents
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Leftovers
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Science
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Hardware
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Tom's Hardware ☛ The floppy disk refused to die in Japan - laws that forced the continued use of floppies have finally hit the chopping block
Floppy disks can finally make their way to the land of eternal slumber. Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has abolished any requirement for applicants to use this ancient magnetic media when filing official documents.
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Tom's Hardware ☛ First gaming PC motherboard made entirely with China tech comes with integrated homegrown CPU — $700 buys the claimed world's first totally China-made board
Beijing Jite Intelligent Technology claims it has made China's first completely domestic motherboard with a Chinese Arm CPU onboard.
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Tom's Hardware ☛ Bambu Lab issues A1 Printer heat bed recall: Here’s how to get a free replacement part
Bambu Lab has issued a recall on its A1 print beds. The built-in power cable seems to be prone to damage, which could lead to incorrect temperature readings, or worse in one case.
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-24 [Older] South Korea invests big in becoming a global chip leader
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Health/Nutrition/Agriculture
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-24 [Older] Germany cracks down on 'pro-life' protests
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-24 [Older] Poland seeks to ease access to 'morning after' pill
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-24 [Older] Vaping while pregnant: What we know
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-19 [Older] Brazil: Probe shows Bolsonaro faked his COVID vaccine record
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-23 [Older] Should Canada ban future generations from smoking?
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-23 [Older] An anesthesiologist shortage is delaying surgeries across Canada, physicians say
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-23 [Older] Quebec judge OK's class-action suit over COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care homes
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Proprietary/Artificial Intelligence (AI)
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Audible CEO refused to confirm the end of layoffs amidst industry-wide job cuts
The possibility of future layoffs has created unease among Audible employees. Carrigan's reluctance to confirm the cessation of job cuts and his focus on customer-centric initiatives indicate a strategic pivot for Audible in the face of challenges
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Security
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Privacy/Surveillance
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New York Times ☛ Ring to Stop Allowing Police to Request Videos From Security Cameras
Ring, a maker of internet-connected cameras that is owned by Amazon, said the police could no longer ask people to share video recordings using the company’s app, Neighbors.
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Defence/Aggression
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JURIST ☛ UN peacekeeping mission in DRC evacuates displaced people after violent attack
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), a peacekeeping mission in the DRC, reported on Saturday that it protected civilians escaping violent attacks in the eastern region of the DRC by deploying troops to secure a designated corridor.
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-23 [Older] Maldives' Chinese ship move could anger India
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France24 ☛ Three US troops are killed after drone strike in Jordan, Biden vows reprisal
A drone attack on a base in Jordan killed three American troops on Sunday, with President Joe Biden blaming Iran-backed militants and vowing to hold the perpetrators to account.
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New York Times ☛ Monday Briefing: U.S. Service Members Killed in Jordan
Also, the UNRWA is in trouble and an antiwar candidate rises in Russia.
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New York Times ☛ Widening Mideast Crisis: Drone Strike Kills 3 U.S. Soldiers in Jordan, White House Says
More than two dozen U.S. service members were injured in the strike, which underscored the growing turmoil in the region since the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October.
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New York Times ☛ Biden Vows to Retaliate After Strike Against American Forces in Jordan
President Biden has carefully calibrated his responses to attacks by Iranian-backed militias since Oct. 7. Now he must decide how far he is willing to go after a drone attack killed three American service members.
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-20 [Older] Foreign interference inquiry will be 'deeply uncomfortable' for Beijing, Canada's ambassador to China says
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-25 [Older] Mali ends peace deal with separatist groups
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-25 [Older] North Korea says it tested new cruise missile
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-25 [Older] Two Koreas engage in military space race over peninsula
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-25 [Older] Japan says 'moon sniper' hit its pinpoint target
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teleSUR ☛ Rallies in Israel Demand Netanyahu´s Resignation
Protesters, including family of the hostages, gathered in Habima Square, showing photos of 136 hostages and demanding that the Government "bring them home now".
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-25 [Older] Germany logs uptick in antisemitic crimes amid Gaza conflict
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-25 [Older] Will Myanmar cease-fire hold?
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-24 [Older] US lawmakers visit Taiwan following island's elections
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-23 [Older] Afghanistan: Crackdown continues on women's rights, UN says
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-20 [Older] Iran says it launched a satellite despite Western concerns
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-21 [Older] North Korea says Putin planning Pyongyang visit
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-21 [Older] Pakistan and Iran say they do not want escalation
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-21 [Older] Red Sea: Will EU warships deter Yemen's Houthi rebels?
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France24 ☛ Stubb and Haavisto qualify for Finland's presidential run-off vote
Finns headed to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president, an office whose importance has grown as tensions increased with neighbouring Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.
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Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine
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Latvia ☛ Ostapenko and Kichenok finish runners-up at Australian Open
Latvian tennis player Aļona Ostapenko, in tandem with her Ukrainian partner Lyudmyla Kichenok, lost in the final of the Australian Open women's doubles final in Melbourne on Sunday.
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France24 ☛ Ukraine uncovers attempt to embezzle $40 million via bogus arms deal
Ukrainian defence officials and corporate leaders sought to steal about $40 million through a fraudulent arms procurement scheme, the country's main intelligence and security agency said Saturday.
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RFERL ☛ Central Ukrainian District Hit Again By Russian Missiles, Governor Says
For the second day in a row, the Russian military has attacked the Kremenchuk district in central Ukraine with missiles, hitting an industrial facility, Poltava region Governor Filip Pronin said on January 28.
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RFERL ☛ Moldovan Negotiator Rules Out Moscow Role In Resolving Separatist Issue
Moldova's top negotiator in resolving the three-decade-old dispute with its pro-Russian Transdniester separatist enclave on January 28 ruled out any role for Moscow in finding a solution as long as it was engaged in its war in Ukraine.
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RFERL ☛ Hungary's Far Right Would Lay Claim To Neighboring Region If Ukraine Loses War
Hungary's far-right Our Homeland party would lay claim to a western region of Ukraine that is home to about 150,000 ethnic Hungarians if Ukraine loses its statehood due to Russia's invasion, the party's leader said.
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RFERL ☛ Ukraine Uncovers Major Military Corruption Scam
Ukraine has announced it has uncovered a scheme to embezzle the equivalent of some $40 million earmarked to buy mortar shells for the country's military.
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New York Times ☛ Ukraine Accuses Defense Company of Embezzling $40 Million
The case comes as the Kyiv government tries to emphasize its focus on fighting graft.
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New York Times ☛ After Two Years of Bloody Fighting, Ukraine Wrestles With Conscription
A proposed bill on mobilization has become the focus of a debate as more men dodge the draft and calls rise to demobilize exhausted soldiers.
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LRT ☛ What are Wagner Group mercenaries still doing in Belarus?
After Yevgeny Prigozhin’s failed mutiny in 2023, mercenaries of the Wagner Group went to Belarus. How many are still in the country and what are they doing there?
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-25 [Older] What are Wagner Group mercenaries still doing in Belarus?
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Environment
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Energy/Transportation
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-25 [Older] Germany helps fuel explosion in US gas exports
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-25 [Older] US allows Boeing 737 MAX flights, bans further production
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-22 [Older] Boeing: FAA recommends new checks for older 737 variant
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-23 [Older] EU antitrust authority probes Lufthansa's ITA stake bid
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-21 [Older] No charges laid after man in 'state of crisis' tries to open door mid-flight on Air Canada plane: police
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-22 [Older] As deadline looms for Metro Vancouver bus strike, union warns SkyTrain may shut down too
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-22 [Older] Buses halted in Metro Vancouver as transit workers go on strike
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-22 [Older] Germany's train drivers call for a six-day nationwide strike
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Wildlife/Nature
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-24 [Older] In vitro fertilization may save white rhinos from extinction
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-20 [Older] Whirling disease confirmed in B.C. for 1st time, sparking fears for fish populations
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-20 [Older] B.C. firefighter killed in UBC parkade crash, officials confirm
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-19 [Older] How chicken farms are breeding antimicrobial resistance
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-19 [Older] Green Week: German farmers' anger overshadows agriculture fair
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Overpopulation
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-25 [Older] Germany's population grows by 300,000, driven by migration
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-24 [Older] Baby born in Hamilton encampment shows extent of 'desperate' housing crisis, councillor says
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-24 [Older] Youth spending months in hotels, Airbnbs amid Ontario's foster home shortage
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-24 [Older] Bank of Canada says government efforts to curb housing crisis will help 'gradually'
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Finance
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-25 [Older] Germany: Business morale sours as economy stutters
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-24 [Older] Argentina: Nationwide strikes over Milei's austerity reforms
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-24 [Older] Ifo lowers German growth forecast amid budget cutbacks
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-21 [Older] Union head says higher pay may be needed to encourage diplomats to work in a key country: the U.S.
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US News And World Report ☛ 2024-01-22 [Older] Canada Is Capping Foreign Student Visas to Ease Housing Pressures as the Cost of Living Soars
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-23 [Older] Top German court strips financing of extreme-right party
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-22 [Older] Germany's AfD could lose funds for anti-democratic behavior
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-20 [Older] Financial shortfalls could challenge Germany's generosity
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-23 [Older] Canada Post is selling pieces of itself to save money — the experts say that won't be enough
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AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics
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Hong Kong Free Press ☛ China, US say top officials had ‘candid, substantive’ talks in Bangkok
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held “candid, substantive” talks in Thailand’s capital Bangkok, focusing on the sensitive issues of Taiwan and the attacks in the Red Sea by Huthi rebels, officials said Saturday.
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France24 ☛ Western countries suspend funding for UN agency in Gaza after Israeli accusations
Several key donor countries to UNRWA, the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees, said they would suspend their funding following accusations by Israel that a dozen of its employees were involved in Hamas's October 7 attack. Britain, Italy, the Netherlands and Finland joined the US and Canada on Saturday in pausing disbursements, with Switzerland saying it would take no decision until the “serious accusations” were clarified. Read our blog to see how the day's events unfolded.
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-25 [Older] U.K. walks away from trade talks with Canada
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-24 [Older] No change on interest rate as Bank of Canada sticks to 5%
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-24 [Older] EU and Thailand eye ambitious trade deal
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Misinformation/Disinformation/Propaganda
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-25 [Older] EU elections a 'prime target' for disinformation
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Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Censorship, AI, disinformation, and repression undermine Asian elections in 2024
By Mong Palatino, IFEX Internet restrictions, AI-driven disinformation, and mass arrests have intensified ahead of major elections across Asia. These attacks undermine freedom of expression at a time when elections are supposed to restore or strengthen democratic rule and counter authoritarianism in the region.
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Censorship/Free Speech
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The Straits Times ☛ Unexplained exclusion of sci-fi works for top award raises issue of Chinese censorship
All four writers have said that they have not received official reasons for their exclusion.
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CBC ☛ 2024-01-20 [Older] U of O doctor suspended for pro-Palestinian posts says he's been reinstated, won't go back
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Civil Rights/Policing
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JURIST ☛ Anti-affrimative action group asks US Supreme Court to block West Point from using race when considering applicants
Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) requested on Friday that the Supreme Court block the United States Military Academy at West Point from using race as a factor in applications while its lawsuit makes it way through the lower courts.
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-25 [Older] France: Farmer protests edge closer to Paris
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-24 [Older] Germany's longest railway strike ever: What you need to know
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-24 [Older] Germany's train services halted in longest strike yet
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-23 [Older] German train strike could cost €1 billion
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-23 [Older] Fact check: How were German protester numbers estimated?
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-21 [Older] More protests against the far-right expected in Germany
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-20 [Older] Germany: Marches against the far right draw over 200,000
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-21 [Older] Germany: Second day of anti far-right protests sweeps major cities
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-22 [Older] Fact check: Far right claim media inflating size of protests
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-19 [Older] German lawmakers pass bill seeking faster deportations
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-20 [Older] Germany: Citizenship law could prompt 50,000 Turks to apply
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-19 [Older] Germany reforms citizenship law
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-19 [Older] Germany's parliament approves easing dual citizenship
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-19 [Older] Germany: Scholz welcomes protests against deportation plans
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Deutsche Welle ☛ 2024-01-19 [Older] Germany: Scholz welcomes protests against far right
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Digital Restrictions (DRM)
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Patents
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Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Has Diehr been Overruled?; and How do you Prove Technological Advance
Ficep begins its petition for certiorari with a brilliant statement of how its patented steel manufacturing method has won numerous awards and complements for its innovative approach, been copied by competitors, and led to numerous successful sales. Despite these clear indicia of patentability, the Federal Circuit invalidated claims — affirming the lower court’s judgment on appeal.
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Kluwer Patent Blog ☛ Quality at the EPO: staff and industry concerns not addressed
The Central Staff Committee (CSC) of the European Patent Office has published a paper on the activities of the Industry Patent Quality Charter, titled ‘50 years EPC – The EPO ignoring the skilled person’.
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‘Over the last decade, the staff representation has continuously reported that the ever-increasing productivity targets and the New Career System did not create the conditions for staff to focus on quality. EPO management did not listen and kept the staff representation away from any discussion on substantive patent quality.
Since 2022, major industry players express their concerns. They bring arguments, data and propose working groups. Instead, the EPO opposes denial, publishes press releases not reflecting discussions and closes its door. One would expect the industry to be better treated than staff and their representation. It is remarkably not the case.
When performing an inventive step analysis of a patent application, EPO examiners take into account the general knowledge of the “skilled person” working in the corresponding technical field, especially from the industry.
If EPO management does not listen to the “skilled person”, to whom will they listen?’
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Monopolies/Monopsonies
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