RSnake Report 20250920

Hello, and thanks for reading! I had an interesting week to say the least. I had the opportunity to save a deer while on a neighborhood walk with my step-son. The deer was caught in a net. It’s a crazy story, but the end result turned out to be a valuable lesson. One of my readers suggested that I mention it in the newsletter. If you want to see the video, you can see it here. It made me ponder how few people are willing to step in and make a difference when they see something that obviously needs attention. In light of a lot of what is going on in the world, I want to encourage you to step up and use your skills when the time comes.

Let’s start with Russia/Ukraine news where Ukraine has escalated its drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, targeting the Kinef Oil Refinery in Leningrad, the second largest in Russia with a production capacity of over 20 million tons per year, located 800 km from the front line. This strike is part of a broader campaign where Ukraine has conducted 17 attacks on 12 Russian oil refineries within the last 45 days, affecting 42% of Russia's total oil refining capacity. The targeted refineries include Novokuybyshevsk, Ryazan, Afipsky, Saratov, Volgograd, Syzran, Novoshakhtinsk, Krasnodar, and Novo-Ufa, with some refineries hit multiple times. The multiple strikes are important because repairs are underway on all of the sites virtually at all times.

The Kirishi oil refinery, another significant target, has halted operations of a key unit, exacerbating Russia's ammunition shortage. The Saratov oil refinery, with a capacity of 7 million tons per year, was re-attacked, marking the second strike since August 2. Similarly, the Salavat oil refinery's AVT-4 unit, capable of processing 4 million tons annually, was hit despite extensive anti-drone protective measures. The attack on Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat could result in Russia losing up to $600 million in a month, with its largest crude unit offline and risking the loss of 9-10 million barrels of processing capacity.

Ukraine is enhancing its drone capabilities, set to receive over 33,000 AI-powered attack drone kits from the US by the end of 2025. These drones can form swarms to overwhelm enemy defenses, and Ukrainian companies are also testing similar technologies. Ukraine plans to deploy 1,000 interceptor drones daily to counter up to 800 Russian drones launched per night. I think the skies over Ukraine will look a lot different if this becomes a reality, but the kill ratio isn’t exactly 1:1, so don’t look at the numbers alone. My question is if these are designed for re-use or not, because if they are, that could end up in a fairly large stockpile.

Meanwhile, the tried and true missile defense is coming largely from Ukrainian F-16s. They are apparently getting the most kills against cruise missiles, which likely fly a little too fast for the Shahed interceptors. So these require air-to-air missile systems.

That’s the new-school. But in one of the strangest things I’ve seen in the war so far, from the very old school, a Ukrainian duo, a 56-year-old hobby pilot and a 38-year-old mechanic, have been flying a Soviet Yak-52, using a rifle to down nearly 60 Russian drones in approximately 300 missions over a year. Imagine hanging out of the side of a prop plane and taking out drones with a rifle. These guys are incredible, and it’s kind of amazing how such low-tech solutions are working against such high-tech munitions.

In European news, Germany is facing industrial job cuts, with 125,000 positions lost in the last six weeks, affecting sectors like automotive, steel, rail, postal services, banking, and tech. If the US experienced a similar rate of layoffs, it would equate to about 300,000 factory jobs or 500,000 total jobs lost in a month and a half. Major companies such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Ford, Daimler Truck, ZF Group, Bosch, Continental, Schaeffler, Thyssenkrupp, Deutsche Bahn, DB Cargo, Deutsche Post, Commerzbank, and SAP have all announced significant layoffs, totaling 111,400 in the auto industry alone. I am not exactly sure what it is driving it, but it’s likely a mix of tariffs, a weak economy, the beginning of the bursting of a finance bubble, and AI. Either way, that’s a huge dip.

In South East Asia news, Gold deliveries to China have surged, with over 53 tonnes of gold bars registered for delivery against futures contracts held in warehouses linked to the Shanghai Futures Exchange. The question is why. It feels like they know that there is an economic collapse coming, and maybe it’s of their own economy. Gold would at least allow them to continue to trade, even if their currency hyperinflates. Or it could be for arbitrage later if they think Gold will continue its bull run. I don’t know that for sure, but it makes sense.

South of the border, the US military, under President Trump’s orders, conducted a second and then a third kinetic strike against Venezuelan drug trafficking cartels in international waters, resulting in the deaths a number of narco-terrorists. These are very small strikes for how much military build-up we have in the region. It feels like this is just a consequence of interacting with the US military, and not the real reason we are stationed there.

In North America news, investigations into the assassination of Charlie Kirk have revealed that the suspect, Tyler Robinson, was allegedly dating his transitioning roommate, known as "Luna," who is described as “trans, anti-Christian, and on hormones”. A neighbor confirmed their relationship. It also appears that Tyler was into gay furry-porn video games as well.

People aren’t going to like my take on this, but here’s the best assessment I can make given what I’ve seen thus far. What I do think is that they have established a motive and a background from Tyler that makes sense. I do not believe, though, that they have tied anything to Luna. The closest evidence I have seen is the released messages between the two, where Luna was at least potentially aware of the fact that Tyler was etching something onto bullets, but the rest seemed a surprise to Luna. So, I think prosecutors will have a very difficult time proving anything about complicity, even if the lovers were aligned politically.

At least if you take the texts on face value, that brings me to the new conspiracy theory - the texts weren’t real and made up by the FBI or local PD.

A lot of people want to claim that the text messages were fake and that people don’t talk “like that”, but keep in mind, Tyler was both very mature for his age, very intelligent, and lived in a household most of his life with his dad, who worked in law enforcement. So it stands to reason he would use “cop talk.” Using the word “vehicle” instead of “car,” for instance. There is also speculation that Luna would have known that Tyler’s father was MAGA, but there is no evidence that they ever met or that Tyler ever spoke of him at length. That’s not uncommon, and there isn’t even evidence that Luna ever met Tyler’s family. Lastly, saying something other people know isn’t unusual. At all.

Ask my wife, I tell her things all the time she already knows.

So, I tend to take the text messages on face value, which means Luna is probably innocent. Further, there is no current evidence that has been released that any of the other people Tyler was talking to knew that he did it even after the fact at least until after it was announced. They joked that it might be him, but acted shocked that it actually was. So, I think this conspiracy ends with Tyler and Tyler alone, sans whatever he was reading/interacting with that drove him to the conclusions that murdering someone was a good idea - the ideology. That said, there is a rumor that the FBI is looking for 7 individuals who may have been involved, so that remains to be seen.

In hindsight, this photo is very haunting. How much different would Tyler’s life have been had he not seen whatever it was he saw that brought him to where he got to? Parents thinking that the Internet is a good tutor or babysitter woefully misunderstand the dangers that lurk, in my opinion. In a strange way, I feel bad for Tyler; he was a bright kid with a ton of promise. His life could have been so rich and bountiful had he just chosen a different path for himself.

There was also a bizarre twist in the investigation involving an elderly man falsely claiming responsibility for the shooting. You might remember him if you saw the early videos of the event, where an old man was caught yelling that he was the one who did it and asking people to shoot him. Remember? Yeah, that guy. He later admitted he just wanted whoever actually shot Charlie to get away. But it gets weirder. He was found to have child sexual abuse material on his phone. Yep, the old man was a pedophile, as if this story couldn’t get weirder.

In the wake of Kirk's death and the huge amount of comments on the Internet praising the shooter, Attorney General Pam Bondi initially stated that hate speech would be targeted, which is illegal and censorship, but later clarified that only hate speech inciting violence would be pursued, citing federal laws against threats and intimidation. Clearly, she misspoke, but horribly so. This is the second major unforced gaffe from her since the Epstein scandal. I really think she should stay away from live and unscripted interviews. 🙄 

The assassination has also led to a wave of cancel culture, with employers firing individuals who celebrated Kirk's death, likening such actions to workplace misconduct like showing up inebriated. I am of very mixed mind about all of this, I’ll be honest. I value the First Amendment. I think it is critical for civil society to operate. Clearly, the left has spearheaded using the government to initiate censorship in various forms, as has high-tech and employers writ large over the last decade. Some examples were the COVID “disinformation” shadow-banning, blocking news about the fully innocent Rittenhouse, the Hunter Biden laptop story, etc. Not to mention the copious situations where leftist pundits have called for censorship and praised its use, which is a whataboutism, and not actually addressing the real issue.

This was all bad. All of it. I am not a fan of cancel culture, and while the left has perfected it, the right should not follow suit. However, when I go back and review some of the more egregious cases, it does make my blood boil. It’s easy to forget that people wanted to cancel a kid for smiling.

Are the Republicans acting better? If it is a case of actual calls to violence, that’s different and should be investigated. If it’s not, and it’s just someone who doesn’t care or is happy, that is free speech. I don’t personally agree with it, but it is, by definition, protected speech. Should the right be going after these people?

Rather than answering the question, let me pose a question to you, dear reader. What happens to these people after we disenfranchise them? Are they going to become more or less radicalized? There may be a chilling effect for some, but others will see it for what it is - an attack on them personally. I worry about the ramifications of this. A threat to their job is one thing, and it might even work, but taking away the livelihood of people who already see their lot in life as being a victim is a potentially dangerous situation. Time will tell.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Kimmel's show was indefinitely canceled after 32 ABC stations pulled it from pressure from Nexstar and Sinclair due to his comments about Kirk's death, following organized viewer boycotts and an FCC investigation. Kimmel's remarks were seen as indefensible by the TV stations that carried him. They said they would pull the show if he didn’t apologize, which he refused to do. ABC was put into a position where they would lose most of their revenue. Keep in mind that Kimmel’s show had terrible ratings anyway, so I suspect that wasn’t a terribly difficult decision for them. There was also a threat from the FCC, which hadn’t yet filed a complaint that he lied about the political leanings of Tyler Robinson. Because ABC is a broadcaster they have to follow certain rules that other mediums don’t, while the FCC didn’t actually step in, they would have been legally within their right to do so. ABC pulling him from the air? I don’t care. FCC threatening ABC? That’s no bueno. 👎️ 

The FCC has NEVER used that stick on any other national issue, and it’s not like ABC hasn’t lied before. So this is a new thing, never seen before. It makes me incredibly uncomfortable, because while it’s legal, it’s an awful precedent. It will be used against candidates and opponents in the future. I am not a fan of using political weapons against comedians. If they had just let Jimmy go, his ratings would have continued to sink, and he’d be forgotten in a couple of years when the ratings were unrecoverable. He was already on his way out. Again, another unforced error, because it now galvanizes free speech advocates against the administration. Charlie Kirk would not have liked any of this. Cancel culture is gross, no matter whose side it comes from. I should note, though, that a lot of people think that now, since Charlie’s death, the gloves are off. Fair enough.

That said, if we are going to go down this path, we need to update the Smith Mundt act and hold everyone uniformly responsible for defamation and spreading verifiably incorrect information. I think that lawfare would settle a lot of this and get people back to civility.

Meanwhile, President Trump has said that he designated ANTIFA as a major terrorist organization, labeling it a "sick, dangerous, radical left disaster." It’s not even clear what Trump is saying because I don’t think it works that way. I think it requires Congress, but perhaps there is some sort of hidden law or EO that he can use. We’ll see. Of course, people are saying “ANTIFA isn’t an organization,” except it totally is, though it is decentralized with factions all over the world. The one here in Austin is Defend Our Hoodz before joining/rebranding to the Austin chapter of the United Neighborhood Defense Movement - you can find their poorly run site over here.

The point is, you don’t have to search hard to find these people, because they do group up and often talk about organizing. That lends itself to potential RICO cases as well. Even groups like the hacking group Anonymous are saying they are Antifa, which would be a strange thing to say if Antifa weren’t an organization/group of some sort. Here is how they operate in Manchester, if you want a look at what it looks like. You will see various Marxist iconography, pro-violent trans (“give trans girls guns”), anti-government, and pro-Palestine graffiti on display. If you look for the upside down pink/red triangle (🔻) online you’ll find a lot of these radical people.

In other news, FBI Director Kash Patel testified that there is no credible evidence that Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficked young women to anyone but himself, based on Department of Justice case files. That feels like one of those statements that will come back to haunt him, especially as the victims ramp up to do their own press junket describing exactly who Jeffrey trafficked them to. We’ll see!

There is also a lot of commentary about Trump issuing an EO to require a $100k payment for H1B visa holders. This won’t affect current visa holders, so existing companies with a large foreign population as their workforce should be fine, but as they grow, they will need to seriously think about whether to use foreign resources or local ones. This could have huge impacts on the education industry who has thrived in the pipeline of Chinese and Indian students who see it as a path to getting work in the United States. Trump also said that he wants to take back Bagram Airbase and that the Autopen signatures giving immunity to Biden’s staff were illegal. So there was no end to the conversations about that, for obvious reasons.

In Tech news, a huge leak of the source code for China's Great Firewall has been reported. I know many hackers who are eager to get their hands on it and start finding exploits against it. Fun times ahead there, I think.

In a lighter vein, a WWE wrestler has created a sentient hammer using a vision model and text-to-speech technology. It is one of the weirdest demos I’ve ever seen. Where inanimate objects are imbued with personality and desires, it’s kind of spooky and strange and oddly a look into the future where objects get anthropomorphized. You should watch the video. It’s odd.

Lastly, and perhaps in the most dystopian news I’ve seen in a while, Albania has appointed its first AI minister. Yep, you heard me right, it is a fully non-human AI. My question is, who programmed it? How are they keeping it up to date? How are they prompting it. So many more questions than answers.

Okay, onto the articles!

The United States has shifted its approach to combating drug trafficking, employing lethal strikes against suspected narco-trafficking boats from Venezuela, leading to multiple fatalities. This change signifies a transition from traditional law enforcement tactics to a more militarized approach, raising legal and strategic concerns about the implications of treating drug cartels as terrorist organizations.

• The U.S. executed lethal strikes on narco-trafficking boats, resulting in multiple deaths.

• This shift raises questions regarding the legal basis and implications of using military force in the drug war.

[RSnake: I still think this is really just a short-term strategy which will evolve into a much greater operation against Maduro.]

Source: https://sofrep.com/?p=217949

The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza despite overwhelming support from other member nations. The Israeli military continues its offensive against Hamas, leading to significant civilian casualties and a dire humanitarian situation in the region.

• U.S. vetoed a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, supported by 14 of the 15 Security Council members.

• The Israeli military is intensifying its operations against Hamas, resulting in ongoing civilian deaths and a critical humanitarian crisis.

[RSnake: The UN really is pretty feckless in this whole thing. Performative more than anything. I do think they serve a purpose, but it’s mostly to make the rest of the world believe that they matter, when in fact they clearly do not.]

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/18/us-vetoes-un-security-council-demand-for-gaza-ceasefire-for-sixth-time?traffic_source=rss

A U.S. federal judge has ruled against the Trump administration's attempt to deport Guatemalan unaccompanied minors, asserting that there is no evidence that parents requested their deportation. The judge's decision highlights concerns about the treatment of migrant children in U.S. custody, including reports of their distress during attempted deportations.

• A judge has blocked the deportation of Guatemalan minors, stating there is no proof their parents wanted them sent back.

• The ruling emphasizes the legal and ethical implications of the U.S. government's handling of unaccompanied migrant children.

[RSnake: This is a mess. I’m not sure how common this situation is, but allegedly, at least some of these parents don’t want their kids deported because they were sending money back to Guatemala. Pretty horrific if that’s actually true.]

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/18/judge-keeps-block-on-trump-push-to-deport-guatemalan-unaccompanied-children?traffic_source=rss

Russia has reportedly supplied North Korea with nuclear submarine modules, which may include a reactor, marking a significant development in North Korea's military capabilities. This partnership deepens the alliance between Russia and North Korea as they collaborate against Western influence, with North Korea providing military support to Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. The transfer of such technology would violate the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and could provoke international sanctions against both nations.

• Russia provided nuclear submarine modules to North Korea, indicating a shift in military capabilities.

• The partnership poses a potential threat to Western nations and could lead to international sanctions.

[RSnake: Great, NK with nuclear subs. What could go wrong? First strike capabilities of a country like North Korea are absolutely not a good thing.]

Source: https://euromaidanpress.com/?p=360788

The US has fired approximately $500 million worth of THAAD interceptor missiles to defend Israel, primarily during its conflict with Iran. Pentagon documents show that the US military engagement includes extensive operations against Iranian missile capabilities and reflects the financial and military support provided to Israel amidst regional tensions.

• The US has deployed THAAD missile systems in Israel to counter threats from Iranian forces and their proxies.

• The Pentagon is seeking urgent funding to replenish depleted missile stocks, indicating ongoing military commitments in the region.

[RSnake: That’s pretty expensive, but worth it from Israel’s perspective. We do need to bring the cost down on our interceptors and increase the variety of options, though. Like the Iron Beam… speaking of…]

Source: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202509187705

Israel has operationalized the Iron Beam 450, a laser-based interceptor system designed to enhance its air defense capabilities following vulnerabilities exposed during the 12-Day War with Iran. This system aims to complement existing defense technologies by providing a cost-effective method for intercepting short-range aerial threats without depleting ammunition supplies.

• Israel's military has launched the Iron Beam 450, a new laser interceptor system.

• The system is expected to significantly improve Israel's air defense capabilities.

• Iron Beam offers a cost-effective and unlimited ammunition alternative to traditional missile interceptors.

[RSnake: Again, it only works line of sight, so we need options that work beyond the horizon too, as a first line of defense, and think of projects like Iron Beam as the last line of defense. Or if we want to pre-position them further out, that could work, but it would require a big network of them positioned all over the Middle East.]

Source: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/?p=253098

A major construction project has been initiated to enhance rail connectivity between Austria and Italy, with the completion of a tunnel under the Brenner Pass. This project is part of a broader initiative by the European Union to improve passenger train travel and reduce freight traffic on roads throughout Europe. The Brenner Base Tunnel, once finished, will be the longest underground rail tunnel in the world and aims to shift significant traffic from highways to rail, benefiting environmental conditions and travel times between key cities.

• The Brenner Base Tunnel will be the longest underground rail tunnel in the world, enhancing connectivity between Austria and Italy.

• The project aims to significantly reduce truck traffic on major routes and improve environmental conditions across Europe.

[RSnake: That’s a pretty cool project, and might rival some of the train systems in Japan if it works.]

Source: https://fortune.com/2025/09/18/italy-france-germany-alps-tunnel-train-travel/

The United States has designated Antifa as a terrorist organization, President Donald Trump announced during a state visit to the UK. The designation is in response to the assassination of Christian conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and other violent acts committed by Antifa members. The move is part of an ongoing effort to combat what Trump described as the "sick, dangerous, radical leftist disaster" known as Antifa.

• Antifa is a political movement that gained popularity with far-left wing activists in the United States after Trump was elected for his first term in 2016.

• The designation of Antifa as a terrorist organization is based on its history of violent acts and its use of tactics such as intimidation and coercion to promote its ideology.

[RSnake: Yep, but it’s unclear what that means, exactly. It’s also unclear what operations will stem from it.]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/president-trump-announces-plan-designate-antifa-terrorist-organization

Nepal has experienced violent anti-corruption protests resulting in over 70 deaths and more than 1,000 injuries. The protests, sparked by a ban on social media platforms and growing dissatisfaction with government practices, led to the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the appointment of interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who now faces the challenge of restoring stability and addressing the demands of protesters.

• Mass protests in Nepal have resulted in over 70 fatalities due to police action against demonstrators.

• The government was forced to resign in the wake of public outcry regarding corruption and the crackdown on social media.

[RSnake: It was pretty violent, but they did purge a huge amount of socialists, who have not been historically great at running countries, so hopefully this stabilizes things.]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2zkmxlkm9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

FBI Director Kash Patel is facing intense scrutiny over his leadership and handling of the Charlie Kirk investigation, with Democrats accusing him of incompetence and politicizing the bureau. Patel has defended his actions, claiming he is delivering better justice for America. The controversy comes as Patel is due to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee in a major oversight hearing.

• Patel is facing intense scrutiny over his leadership and handling of the Charlie Kirk investigation.

• Democrats accuse Patel of incompetence and politicizing the FBI bureau.

[RSnake: I think Kash’s biggest issue was pushing out data before the investigation was far enough along, saying they had caught someone, when they hadn’t. This is largely a fault of the 24-hour news cycle. This article is mostly about him dismissing 5,000 employees, which is definitely within the realm of what is expected of incoming heads of departments, especially when our national deficit was and is so high.]

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/if-youre-going-to-come-at-me-kash-patel-fires-back-at-critics-denies-missteps-in-charlie-kirk-probe/articleshow/123913479.cms

NATO is increasing military training in the Arctic in response to rising tensions in the region due to challenges posed by melting ice and the increasing presence of Russia and China. The situation in the Arctic parallels India's military experience on the Siachen Glacier, where Indian forces have been acclimatized to extreme cold conditions for decades, providing them with unique insights into high-altitude warfare.

• NATO is ramping up Arctic military training due to the geopolitical tensions from Russia and China.

• India's long-term experience in high-altitude warfare at Siachen offers strategic lessons relevant to Arctic operations.

[RSnake: This is one of the reasons we want a bigger presence on Greenland.]

Source: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/?p=252859

A series of high-stakes deals involving the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates have emerged, where the Emirates secured access to advanced AI chips and the Trump family profited through a cryptocurrency firm. These transactions blurred lines between personal and government interests, raising ethical questions about potential conflicts of interest among U.S. officials. National security concerns were also raised regarding the potential sharing of this technology with China.

• The U.A.E. obtained access to advanced U.S. AI chips through a deal negotiated with the Trump administration.

• The Trump family benefited financially from a cryptocurrency business tied to the U.A.E. deal.

[RSnake: Crypto is a great way to hide transactions or filter them through value-less transactions for NFTs and the like, without having to disclose campaign finances.]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/us/politics/trump-uae-chips-witkoff-world-liberty.html

The White House has declared war on radical left groups, urging a multi-agency coordinated effort to disrupt and dismantle their networks, which are fueling violence in the country.

• Targeting small organizations alone won't solve the problem; a multi-agency coordinated effort is needed to confront the dark-money network of foundations that prop them up.

• The radical left's violent ideology mirrors Islamist radicalization in its stages: Introduction to ideology, Obsession with ideology, Belief that violence is justified, and Acts of violence on behalf of the ideology.

[RSnake: Texas also has a new law on the books, which is similar in spirit to CFIUS, which attempts to find and disrupt international control over Texas companies and politics.]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/identify-disrupt-dismantle-destroy-white-houses-stephen-miller-declares-war-radical-left

Japan is deploying eight aircraft, including F-15 fighter jets, to bases in the U.S., Canada, and Europe as part of a mission to support NATO. This marks the first historical deployment of Japanese warplanes to Canada and Europe, reflecting the interconnected security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions amid rising tensions involving NATO allies and aggressive maneuvers by Russia. The mission includes 180 personnel and various support aircraft, demonstrating a significant step in Japan's military cooperation with Western allies.

• Japan is deploying eight aircraft to support NATO, marking a historical first.

• The mission reflects the interconnected security concerns of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.

[RSnake: Interesting. This isn’t a huge deployment, but for Japan it’s meaningful.]

Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/09/16/japan-deploys-fighter-jets-to-nato-bases/

Two UK teenagers have been charged in connection with a series of ransomware attacks that impacted 47 US companies, leading to over $115 million in ransom payments. The group involved, known as Scattered Spider, has been linked to significant breaches, including a cyberattack on Transport for London, resulting in the theft of personal customer data and service outages.

• Two UK teens charged for involvement in ransomware attacks on US companies.

• Scattered Spider demanded high ransoms after breaching numerous networks worldwide.

[RSnake: They’ll get something like life sentences due to the number of infractions. It’s cumulative and additive. More on the situation here.]

Source: https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/09/two-uk-teens-charged-in-connection-to-scattered-spider-ransomware-attacks/

SystemBC proxy botnet targets vulnerable VPS systems, allowing malicious traffic and making detection difficult due to lack of IP protection.

• The SystemBC proxy network has over 1,500 bots, with an average infection lifespan of nearly a month, targeting compromised VPS systems with multiple vulnerabilities.

• Almost 80% of the bots consist of infected commercial virtual private servers, which are used to route malicious traffic and provide stable high-volume traffic for customers.

[RSnake: These distributed networks are super hard to detect unless you have almost no traffic at all, and therefore any traffic at all is rare.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/systembc-malware-turns-infected-vps-systems-into-proxy-highway/

Nearly half of organizations operate without basic visibility into their security posture, and companies with between 1,001 and 5,000 third-party relationships face the worst outcomes.

• Organizations with comprehensive governance achieve a 3.5x cost visibility advantage, tracking 75% of their security costs compared to just 35% for those without proper oversight.

• Companies with between 1,001 and 5,000 third-party relationships face the worst outcomes, with organizations in this danger zone reporting a 46% increase in supply chain risks.

[RSnake: Information security below the poverty line - Wendy Nather did a lot of great research on this topic.]

Source: https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/42477-how-vendor-visibility-gaps-are-driving-supply-chain-risk

A 10,000 member-strong trans-led Marxist-Leninist group called Socialist Rifle Association (SRA) has been linked to at least four major crimes including firebombing Tesla dealerships and shooting a police officer. Members stock up on assault rifles and receive membership cards bearing an image of Karl Marx and the quote “Any attempt to disarm workers must be frustrated, by force if necessary.”

• The Socialist Rifle Association (SRA) is a trans-led Marxist-Leninist group with 10,000 members linked to at least four major crimes.

• The group's goal is to defend against fascists and Nazis but its methods have been criticized as violent and politically motivated.

[RSnake: There are hundreds or thousands of these organizations around the US.]

Source: https://www.dailywire.com/news/socialist-rifle-association-linked-to-numerous-violent-attacks

Prompt injection attacks pose significant vulnerabilities for Large Language Models (LLMs), with potential attack success rates exceeding 30%. A new multi-agent defense framework has been developed that can effectively neutralize these attacks in real-time, achieving a 100% mitigation rate across various scenarios and maintaining system functionality for legitimate queries.

• Prompt injection attacks can override system prompts, leading to unintended behaviors in LLMs.

• The new multi-agent defense framework showed significant security improvements in mitigating various types of prompt injection attacks.

[RSnake: I have done quite a bit of research on this, and it turns out it’s quite easy to jump out of the LLM’s context and get it to dump its prompt or act outside of its initial intention.]

Source: https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.14285

The integration of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) into healthcare systems has expanded the attack surface for cybercriminals, raising significant cybersecurity and privacy concerns.

• IoMT infusion pumps are vulnerable to various issues, including device-level flaws, authentication and access control problems, network and communication weaknesses, data security and privacy risks, and operational or organizational challenges.

• These vulnerabilities can expose infusion pumps to lateral attacks within healthcare networks.

[RSnake: This will be interesting to attackers if they can either steal data out of them that is embarrassing or encrypt the machines in question for ransom.]

Source: https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.14604

A new Rowhammer attack variant, named Phoenix, has been developed by researchers that can bypass protections on DDR5 memory chips, allowing attackers to flip bits and potentially gain control of systems. This vulnerability affects all DDR5 modules produced between January 2021 and December 2024, raising serious concerns about memory security in current hardware. The findings suggest that immediate updates to systems may be necessary to mitigate this risk, but current mitigation strategies come with stability trade-offs.

• The Phoenix attack exploits vulnerabilities in DDR5 memory chips to perform privilege escalation.

• Affected memory modules could allow attackers to gain root access and control systems.

[RSnake: I hate to say it, but this is likely never going to get used. I had a long conversation with a PSIRT team of a major hardware manufacturer about this, and they have literally never seen an actual attack using this or similar types of vulnerabilities ever.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-phoenix-attack-bypasses-rowhammer-defenses-in-ddr5-memory/

A data broker owned by major U.S. airlines is selling billions of passenger data records to government agencies for surveillance purposes. This arrangement allows agencies, including the FBI and ICE, to access detailed information about individuals' flight itineraries and personal data without a warrant.

• Major airlines are involved in the sale of massive amounts of passenger data to government entities.

• The data includes sensitive details like names, flight itineraries, and financial information.

[RSnake: This is only news because it’s not discussed openly that often, but these data brokers don’t care who they sell the data to, and will happily sell it to any government that asks. It’s one of the reasons ad networks are so dangerous.]

Source: https://www.404media.co/airlines-sell-5-billion-plane-ticket-records-to-the-government-for-warrantless-searching/

A self-propagating supply chain attack has affected 187 npm packages, using a malicious payload to infect other packages and steal secrets.

• The attack uses a self-propagating mechanism that targets other packages by the same maintainer, allowing it to spread automatically.

• The malware downloads each package by a maintainer, modifies its package.json file, injects a bundle.js script, and repacks the archive before republishing it.

• The attack is believed to be connected to previous high-profile supply chain attacks, including the 's1ngularity' attack on GitHub accounts.

[RSnake: It’s a bit of a hot mess. Here is some guidance on how to handle it if you’re a dev.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/self-propagating-supply-chain-attack-hits-187-npm-packages/

NVIDIA has introduced the Blackwell architecture, which is designed to power extreme-scale AI factories capable of handling complex AI models with hundreds of billions to trillions of parameters. The architecture allows for enhanced performance and energy efficiency, facilitating communication between its components to maximize computing resources for AI inference workloads. This system is integral to the future of AI infrastructure as it supports unprecedented levels of data processing and task management in AI factories worldwide.

• NVIDIA Blackwell architecture enables large-scale AI factories to efficiently handle complex AI workloads.

• The technology includes a new interconnect system to ensure seamless data transfer between CPUs and GPUs, boosting performance significantly.

[RSnake: NVIDIA isn’t necessarily going to win, but they’re certainly making it really hard for people to follow. I am curious how Apple will handle this at the next WWDC, because they will need to have something meaningful to keep people away from Linux, if they want to do AI processing workloads.]

Source: https://blogs.nvidia.com/?p=84818

OpenAI is implementing stricter age verification and safety measures for its chatbot, ChatGPT, following incidents linking the technology to teen suicides. The updates include age estimation and parental notifications for underage users exhibiting suicidal behavior, amid growing concerns over chatbot interactions influencing vulnerable individuals.

• OpenAI has launched new age verification methods for users of ChatGPT.

• The company is facing lawsuits connecting its chatbot to teen suicides.

• New safety measures restrict discussions around sensitive topics for underage users.

[RSnake: It will probably do most of that work autonomously. So if you talk like a little kid, it’ll have stricter controls. It will encourage kids to talk more like adults, which is an odd thing, but will likely add external pressure for kids who want to know adult things.]

Source: https://www.404media.co/chatgpt-will-guess-your-age-and-might-require-id-for-age-verification/

Gemini has gained significant popularity and downloads after the release of its new AI image model, Nano Banana, with a 45% month-over-month increase in downloads and over 12.6 million downloads in September, surpassing OpenAI's ChatGPT to become the top app on the App Store.

• Gemini has climbed to the No. 1 spot on the U.S. App Store after releasing its new AI image model, Nano Banana.

• The app has seen a significant increase in downloads, with over 12.6 million downloads in September alone.

• Gemini's growth is driving increases in consumer spending, with $1.6 million generated from iOS devices in August and an estimated $792,000 so far this month.

[RSnake: Stupid name, but good model. Google does appear to be pulling ahead in terms of utilization.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=3046461

The AI industry is increasingly focused on developing humanoid robots that can perform tasks in human environments, marking a shift from prior perceptions of clumsiness to a renewed interest fueled by advancements in machine learning and hardware. Companies like OpenAI are ramping up their robotics efforts, signaling a competitive landscape among organizations aiming to achieve artificial general intelligence through physical robots capable of interacting in the real world.

• Humanoid robots are being developed to operate effectively in human-designed environments, indicating a significant technological advancement.

• Companies like OpenAI are hiring experts to enhance their robotics programs, signifying the importance of physical intelligence in achieving artificial general intelligence.

[RSnake: I think this is still a little way off, but people are certainly very interested in having help around their homes. Elon was right to say that we’ll all need at least one and likely more than one in our homes. That’s billions of units minimum.]

Source: https://www.wired.com/story/uncanny-valley-podcast-move-aside-chatbots-ai-humanoids-are-here/

Notion has launched its first AI agent, which can automatically generate notes and perform complex tasks using data from user pages and external platforms. This new feature aims to enhance productivity by enabling users to create, update, and manage various outputs across different sources with the capability of handling multistep tasks.

• Notion has introduced an AI agent that can automate note-taking and analysis for various business tasks.

• The agent uses data from multiple sources, improving user productivity by offering advanced task automation.

[RSnake: Good for them. Meanwhile Obsidian is working on a module to import data from Notion into markdown. I’m rooting for Obsidian, but we’ll see.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=3047228

Alphabet, Google's parent company, achieved a market valuation of $3 trillion for the first time, joining a select group of extremely valuable companies. This milestone is attributed to the company's strong investment in artificial intelligence, recent legal victories regarding its monopoly status, and diversified revenue streams from various technology products.

• Alphabet's market value skyrocketed past $3 trillion largely due to AI investments.

• A U.S. court ruling helped Alphabet retain control of its key assets, boosting investor confidence.

[RSnake: It’s just a matter of time until we end up with our first Trillionaire, too. Musk is vying for that position. His net worth is already half way there.]

Source: https://fortune.com/2025/09/15/google-3-trillion-valuation-market-cap-artificial-intelligence-monopoly-antitrust/

Australia announces new emissions targets, warning of extreme weather conditions due to climate change, and a report predicts 1.5 million Australians will be threatened by rising seas by 2050.

• Australia aims to cut its carbon emissions by at least 62% compared to 2005 levels over the next decade.

• A landmark risk assessment warned Australia faces a future of increasingly extreme weather conditions as a result of man-made climate change.

[RSnake: They need to be very careful to ramp power production, too.]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgn6mvvxm3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

The Department of Defense (DOD) has received a disclaimer of opinion on its financial statement audit for the seventh consecutive year, indicating insufficient evidence to support its financial statements. DOD's financial management operations are hindered by identified material weaknesses affecting over $4 trillion in reported assets, which poses a risk of material misstatements. The National Defense Authorization Act requires DOD to obtain a clean audit opinion by December 31, 2028, to enhance financial transparency and accountability.

• DOD has not achieved a clean audit opinion on its financial statements, impacting accountability.

• Material weaknesses identified affect a significant portion of DOD’s reported financial data.

[RSnake: I don’t think anyone’s going to be shocked that the DoD has misplaced a lot of equipment.]

Source: https://news.usni.org/?p=118181

President Trump and President Xi Jinping are scheduled to discuss a deal to prevent the popular app TikTok from being banned in the United States. The deal would involve separating TikTok from its Chinese owner, ByteDance, due to national security concerns raised by U.S. lawmakers. If finalized, this agreement could impact TikTok's operations and ownership structure significantly.

• Trump and Xi are finalizing a deal to separate TikTok from ByteDance to avoid a ban in the U.S.

• The U.S. government is involved in the corporate deal-making process regarding TikTok's ownership.

[RSnake: I’ve heard this story before. Lol. We’ll see.]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/business/media/trump-and-xi-set-to-finalize-tiktok-deal.html

McDonald’s USA is investing $200 million into regenerative farm practices, aimed at reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. This initiative, which spans 4 million acres across 38 states, is a significant step towards promoting sustainable agriculture and natural resource stewardship in the fast food industry.

• McDonald’s is committing to regenerative agriculture to promote soil health.

• The investment will impact cattle ranching practices across multiple states.

[RSnake: Good for them. I wonder if this is under pressure from RFK Jr.]

Source: https://www.dailywire.com/news/maha-changes-are-coming-to-mcdonalds

Nexstar is preparing for a $6.2 billion merger with Tegna, raising antitrust concerns from the FCC. Meanwhile, the suspension of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' has stirred political debates and discussions regarding media bias and free speech, particularly in the context of recent incidents involving violent acts linked to ideologies.

• Nexstar and Tegna are set for a significant merger that could face regulatory scrutiny.

• 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' has been suspended, leading to discussions on media bias and free speech.

[RSnake: This will haunt the Republicans.]

Source: https://www.dailywire.com/news/one-theory-about-kimmel-cancellation-has-to-do-with-major-media-merger

SpaceX has received approval to significantly increase its rocket launches in Texas, following a federal judge's dismissal of a lawsuit by environmental activists. The lawsuit claimed the FAA failed to conduct a thorough environmental review before granting the necessary permits, but the judge found the FAA's assessments to be sufficient. This ruling supports SpaceX's plans to expand its launch operations at the Starbase facility despite environmental concerns.

• A federal judge has ruled in favor of SpaceX, allowing the company to ramp up rocket launches at its Texas site.

• Environmental groups challenged the FAA's approval of SpaceX's expansion, but the court found the FAA's environmental assessments to be adequate.

[RSnake: Good. They might actually save the human race if they aren’t hamstrung. I saw this image the other day, and I had to share it. Simply amazing.]

Source: https://www.dailywire.com/news/spacex-wins-again-judge-tosses-environmental-challenge-to-starbase-launches

Prices for organic food in the U.S. are anticipated to rise significantly due to new tariffs on imported organic sugar, which make up over 90% of the sugar used by manufacturers. With restrictions on duty-free imports set to take effect, the cost of organic sugar is projected to increase by an average of 30%, potentially forcing manufacturers to raise prices or reduce production, especially impacting smaller producers.

• New tariffs on imported organic sugar will raise prices for organic food.

• The U.S. lacks sufficient domestic production of organic sugar to meet demand.

• Small organic food manufacturers are particularly vulnerable to cost increases.

[RSnake: I had to read this twice, but sugar is in a lot of these products, apparently. Organically sweetened with sugar.]

Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91406786/organic-food-prices-tariffs-specialty-sugar