RSnake Report 20250120

Inauguration day, TikTok unbanned, etc.

What's In the News

Hello, and thanks for reading! Happy Presidential Inauguration Day, and also Martin Luther King Day. I do think it’s odd that they decided to make some overlap there, but either way, here we are. But before we jump into all of that, let’s start overseas, shall we?

Inauguration YMCA dance

In Russian/Ukraine news, Ukraine’s latest innovation in drone warfare involves the integration of laser target designators into small reconnaissance drones, enabling precision strikes on even moving targets using weapons like the Copperhead, AASM Hammer, and JDAM. It reportedly required two years and thousands of hours to implement effectively, underscoring the rapid evolution of battlefield technology, and keep in mind that it will require coordination with larger bomb trucks like the F16 or Sukhoi aircraft at the Ukrainian disposal.

“Ukraine now fields small recon drones with laser target designators”

Meanwhile, on the defensive side, simple mesh nets have proven to be an effective countermeasure against FPV drones, as shown by images of snagged Russian drones. As fiber optic-controlled FPVs gain prominence for their stealth and reliability, such low-tech solutions will remain surprisingly critical. Seeing these around hard targets like oil depots never made much sense to me because they are static targets and can be penetrated by larger drones, but for softer or more mobile targets, like troop or light-armor positions, these nets do make quite a bit of sense.

“Simple mesh nets serve as an essential defense against FPVs”

U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s drone development has been unveiled, with $1.5 billion secretly allocated to support manufacturers and procure components, according to declassified documents. The Biden administration also sent intelligence officers to help establish UAV production programs, fueling the creation of advanced drones within Ukraine. That’s not terribly surprising, and not a particularly well-kept secret, that we have propped up Ukraine’s local production. It was one of the few ways we had a chance of removing our responsibilities to the war, getting them to arm themselves.

“US secretly financed $1.5 billion in the development of Ukrainian drones”

Simultaneously, reports suggest intensified strikes within Russia, including multiple oil depot fires and a radar station destruction in Kherson. The targeted radar, a 1L119 "Nebo-SVU," was eliminated by UAVs, marking another hit to Russia’s air defense capabilities. Keep in mind these are very complex to build and exceedingly expensive at $100M a pop. This is the second one in a week.

“another oil depot in Russia has been struck”

The ingenuity of Ukrainian systems like "Sky Fortress," which uses parabolic microphone arrays to detect low-flying Russian UAVs, demonstrates the increasingly sophisticated methods employed in the conflict. Tied in with some AI, this system works similarly to the system I talked about last time that uses cameras; only this one works at night and in virtually all weather conditions. I like this design because it can detect virtually all types of motorized or rocket-propelled vehicles, including hyper-sonics. The only caveat to that is ballistic missiles which come in at too sharp an angle and lead the shockwave. Cool tech, and we should build the same around US cities.

“thousands of microphones”

As for Russian infrastructure, the Kazan Aircraft Plant, a critical facility for strategic bombers, reportedly came under attack, while saboteurs in St. Petersburg destroyed a locomotive integral to Russian military logistics. It’s not clear if those saboteurs were local citizens or Ukrainian special operations operating far inside of Russia. Let me say here and now: I think Trump will find it very difficult to end this war in 24 hours like he claimed during his campaign. His incoming administration has said it will take closer to 100 days, which sounds more likely to me.

“Tu-160 and Tu-22M3M/Tu-22M3 are manufactured and repaired”

Briefly, in European news, Lithuania announced plans to increase its defense spending to 6% of GDP between 2026 and 2030. This investment proves that the European move to push more defense spending is being taken seriously. It is wise, knowing the belligerents in the region, to fortify its defenses amidst growing regional tensions.

In Southeast Asian news, South Korea’s incarcerated President Yoon’s supporters were caught on video storming a Seoul courthouse in response to his detention. Protesters smashing windows and vandalizing offices, won’t get them far, but might end up spiraling further out of control. Things like this can sometimes end in civil conflicts.

“President Yoon supporters are storming the Seoul courthouse”

In Middle East news, a CIA analyst admitted to leaking Israeli strike plans on Iran, with ideological motives cited as the driving force. The plea deal, set at 6.5 years, reflects the gravity of this breach of national security. He claimed to be doing so from an ideological perspective. Even more reasons we need to do better vetting of people in charge of state secrets.

“CIA Analyst Admits to Leaking Israeli Strike Plans on Iran”

At the same time, Iran showcased additional footage of its underground naval facilities, revealing storage for Peykaap II missile boats and naval mines, though the promised berthing for vessels was notably absent - or hidden from view. This is the second such video they have released, presumably to reassure people that they are well prepared for serious conflict, despite the miserable display from Operation True Promise, Operation True Promise 2, and Hebollah’s showing in Lebanon over the last few months.

“Iranian media has released footage of the previously announced underground naval facilities”

The tenuous ceasefire in Gaza already appears fragile, with Hamas representatives openly declaring their intent to continue violent operations. Hostage transfers have also begun, with masked Hamas operatives overseeing the process. To believe this conflict is at an end sounds foolish at best, but if Israel can get some hostages back and monitor where the released Hamas prisoners go, this will enable them to kill those same prisoners. It’s undoubtedly cheaper than incarcerating the Hamas prisoners, and their intelligence utility is likely all but exhausted already, I guess.

“Hamas will continue the terrorist ways of their martyred leaders”

Onto Domestic news, where Biden had an unforced error when he proudly declared the Equal Rights 28th Amendment ratified, although no, no it wasn’t. This follows an already contentious decision to pardon General Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and members of the January 6 Committee, citing unjustified political persecution. So much for Biden’s “No one is above the law.”

“What did he do?”

Fauci has to accept the pardon for it to go into effect. This has a weird effect which is that he has to admit that there was wrongdoing in the act of accepting it. He can still be asked to testify and must do so truthfully. If he lies, he can still go to jail for perjuring himself, so this isn’t necessarily the end of this story.

That is the stuff that made the news, and people were focused on. However, if you actually dig into the full list of pardons, one thing that didn’t make the news all is the fact that Biden pardoned both of his brothers and his sister-in-law amongst others last night in the 11th hour. Why though? And why 10 years and not for any specific crimes? I think there is a lot of gross things that have been hidden by his family. It certainly feels gross.

“they may have committed or taken part in during the period from Jan 1 2024”

Drill baby drill, the southern border emergency declared, the unveiling of the external revenue service, DOGE, there being only two genders, and so many other things were discussed during Trump’s speech. Trump is basically undoing almost all that Biden did and didn’t recognize Biden or Obama at all. It was peaceful, but it’s clear the incoming administration has no interest in any of Biden’s policies. It was a condemnation of Biden’s team and he said multiple times US voters have spoken.

In other odd news, Donald Trump’s foray into cryptocurrency has resulted in the $TRUMP meme-coin accounting for nearly 89% of his net worth, according to reports. Melania’s memecoin isn’t that far behind. I have a feeling this is just a huge transfer of wealth to Donald Trump that doesn’t necessarily have the same kinds of oversight as traditional donor rules. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulled out soon.

“now accounts for about 89% of Donald Trump's net worth”

In Tech News, Fortinet is grappling with the fallout from a leak of private keys, though some argue the data is already in the hands of malicious actors, challenging the company’s mitigation efforts. This will be a company we will have a lot to discuss here within the next month. More on that later - stay tuned. Mark my words. Mark them.

Meanwhile, AI’s integration into education sparks excitement, but the rise of “Claude boys,” students deferring decisions to AI models like Anthropic’s Claude, reveals a curious shift in classroom dynamics. Keep in mind that these models are often wrong and quite biased, so be very cautious letting your kids use these things without some adult oversight. Though I could say the same about any Internet website.

“Claude-boys”

ByteDance, however, faces its own existential crisis, with U.S. operations—including TikTok and CapCut—set to go offline, and within 12 hours it was back online. As Trump allies gear up to take control, the messaging around the shutdown has already evolved, reflecting the shifting narratives from complete ban to back to the negotiating table. It is possible this is part of a greater strategic negotiation with China or simply a money grab. It’s unclear.

“Tiktok has adjusted their closing message”

Concerns about the impact of short videos on cognitive health have resurfaced. Watching them for just 95 minutes daily can reportedly shrink gray matter, impair focus, and worsen mental health, according to NeuroImage. The dependence these platforms foster within months underscores the trade-offs of convenience-driven content consumption. This isn’t just TikTok; it’s Instagram reels, X videos, Meta reels, YouTube shorts, etc., etc.… It’s all the same thing. Seriously, do yourself a favor and stop watching all of them immediately. Go take a walk instead.

“watching short videos for 95 minutes a day reduces the amount of gray matter in the brain by 2.3%”

Okay, onto the articles!

Geopolitics

Approximately 100 Israeli captives remain in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, which resulted in a total of about 250 individuals taken captive. A ceasefire deal has been proposed that includes a prisoner exchange, where captives may be released in phases, with both sides preparing to exchange individuals as part of the ongoing conflict and negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

  • Approximately 100 Israeli captives, including soldiers and civilians, are still believed to be held in Gaza.

  • A ceasefire deal includes provisions for the gradual release of captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

[RSnake: It’s very unlikely that all of them will be returned in this exchange, but quite a few will, is my guess. As you’d imagine, a lot of the Hamas being released in exchange are extremely dangerous terrorists.]

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/18/ceasefire-deal-what-do-we-know-about-israels-captives-held-in-gaza?traffic_source=rss

President Donald Trump’s incoming border czar, Tom Homan, has stated that major immigration raids will take place across the country after Trump takes office, with 24 field offices conducting operations on Tuesday.

  • Tom Homan has been tasked with implementing Trump’s border and immigration agenda.

  • ICE has been restricted from arresting illegal aliens who are only present in the country illegally due to new ICE priorities set by Secretary Mayorkas.

[RSnake: I am almost surprised they’re waiting one full day.]

Source: https://www.dailywire.com/news/tom-homan-on-ice-raids-theres-going-to-be-a-big-raid-all-across-the-country

A helicopter crash last year in Iran has resulted in the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and several high-ranking officials, with official explanations attributing the incident solely to bad weather. However, there are claims of potential sabotage involving foreign powers, and speculation regarding internal political motives linked to succession plans for Iran's leadership follows the incident.

  • The helicopter crash killed President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials during a trip to a dam project.

  • Debates over the cause of the crash involve allegations of both foreign sabotage and internal political maneuvering.

[RSnake: True or not, I am sure a lot of people will continue to question it within Iran.]

Source: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202501181679

The U.S. military and the Pentagon are undergoing significant leadership changes as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin concludes his term during a period marked by major military crises, including the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and ongoing international conflicts. In recent developments, tensions have escalated in the Middle East, with U.S. naval forces engaging in intense military operations in response to Iranian threats and attacks against Israel.

  • Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin faces criticism for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which led to the Taliban's takeover.

  • Under Austin's leadership, U.S. military operations have intensified in response to threats from Iran and its associates in the Middle East.

The United States has imposed extensive sanctions on Russian oil tankers, potentially disrupting about 1.5 million barrels per day of crude oil shipments from Pacific and Arctic regions. This latest round of sanctions is the most aggressive yet since the onset of the Ukraine conflict and may lead to significant alterations in the global oil supply dynamics, particularly affecting shipments to China and other key markets.

  • New US sanctions target 158 oil tankers involved in the Russia oil trade.

  • Analysis projects severe disruption of Russian crude oil exports, significantly impacting global supply.

  • The situation raises concerns about the ability of independent buyers like China and India to navigate the sanctions.

[RSnake: That will add up. There are still quite a few other methods of moving oil around, but once all of those are tightened up, it really will come down to overland transfers to China and Iran. But pushing Russia to the bring has its own risks.]

Source: https://gcaptain.com/?p=220660

Ukraine continues to endure a prolonged conflict with Russia, which began in February 2022, with significant territorial loss and civilian casualties. While Ukraine has received ongoing support from Western nations, Russian forces have established control over substantial areas, particularly in the Donetsk region. The war has triggered a significant refugee crisis and has shifted military tactics, including the use of drones by both sides for strategic advantages.

  • Ukraine has lost nearly 20% of its territory since the beginning of the invasion.

  • The conflict has resulted in one of the largest refugee crises in modern history.

[RSnake: It won’t end quickly. The question is, what are both sides willing to lose because this won’t be a one-sided peace agreement.]

Source: https://www.ft.com/content/4351d5b0-0888-4b47-9368-6bc4dfbccbf5

Cybersecurity

The FCC has mandated U.S. telecommunications companies to enhance cybersecurity measures in response to critical vulnerabilities exposed by recent breaches, specifically related to a campaign named Salt Typhoon. This ruling requires telecoms to implement security protocols to protect against unauthorized access and regularly certify their cybersecurity risk management plans.

  • FCC has ordered enhanced security measures for telecom companies.

  • Recent breaches revealed significant vulnerabilities in U.S. telecommunications.

[RSnake: Yeah, but… this is the US government’s own fault in some ways. Remember, the systems that the Chinese compromised were the same systems that the US uses to spy on people.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/fcc-orders-telecoms-to-secure-their-networks-after-salt-tyhpoon-hacks/

A U.S. Army soldier has been arrested and charged with unlawfully transferring confidential phone records, linked to a significant data breach involving AT&T and Verizon. This incident is related to a broader hacking case involving a cloud computing company that affected numerous organizations and resulted in the theft of sensitive personal information.

  • A U.S. Army communications specialist has been linked to the large theft of phone records.

  • The data breach affected major companies and involved significant amounts of personal and sensitive data.

[RSnake: This is related to the Snowflake compromise that happened in 2024.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=2949154

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on a Shanghai-based individual and a Sichuan-based cybersecurity company for their involvement in significant espionage attacks, including breaches of the Treasury Department and U.S. telecom networks. These actions follow ongoing concerns over increasing cyber threats from Chinese actors and include efforts to enhance security protocols within U.S. telecom companies.

  • U.S. sanctions target individuals and companies linked to major cyber attacks.

  • Sanctions aim to curb ongoing espionage threats from Chinese actors.

[RSnake: Increased balkanization. You are seeing it happen in slow-motion with each of these rulings.]

Source: https://www.vulnu.com/p/u-s-issues-sanctions-linked-to-telecom-treasury-breaches

Fortinet devices' data stolen and leaked on Dark Web; vulnerability disclosed by Fortinet in 2024 affecting authentication bypass; threat actor claims vulnerability was exploited since 2022.

  • Data from over 15,000 Fortinet devices stolen and leaked on the Dark Web due to CVE-2022-40684 authentication bypass vulnerability.

  • FortiOS operating system and FortiProxy Web gateway also affected by the same vulnerability, allowing unauthenticated attackers to perform administrative operations on vulnerable devices via specially crafted HTTP requests.

[RSnake: Remember, mark my words, folks. This will be a much more interesting story soon.]

Source: https://www.darkreading.com/endpoint-security/15k-fortinet-device-configs-leaked-dark-web

A cyber-intelligence campaign linked to a Russian threat actor has been targeting diplomatic entities in Kazakhstan, focusing on phishing attacks to gather intelligence on governmental and organizational operations. This activity mirrors broader geopolitical tensions as Kazakhstan seeks to expand its relationships outside of Russia amidst its shifting international stance.

  • A cyber campaign by a Russian actor has been targeting diplomatic entities in Kazakhstan.

  • The campaign is part of Russia's broader strategy to monitor Kazakhstan's growing ties with Western nations.

[RSnake: Interesting. Putin really doesn’t want to lose support from the Kazaks. It makes sense; they really have had a pretty tenuous agreement to date, and culturally, they are quite different. That said, with the RU/IR trade agreement, perhaps Putin is willing to do more to embrace the radical Muslim population.]

Source: https://www.darkreading.com/cyberattacks-data-breaches/russian-apt-phishes-kazakh-govt-strategic-intel

A malicious package named 'pycord-self' has been discovered on the Python package index, targeting Discord developers by stealing authentication tokens and creating a backdoor for remote system control. This package, masquerading as a legitimate Discord library, has been downloaded multiple times and poses a significant risk, allowing attackers to hijack accounts even with two-factor authentication enabled.

  • A malicious package has been uploaded to PyPi that challenges the security of Discord developers.

  • The package can steal authentication tokens and set up a backdoor for continuous system access.

[RSnake: Another supply-chain issue. This is becoming more and more common and a black mark on the open source community.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/malicious-pypi-package-steals-discord-auth-tokens-from-devs/

Technology

Global demand for advanced semiconductor solutions is surging, driven by transformative technologies like AI and 5G.

  • TSMC’s Q4 revenue exceeded guidance by 2.3%, reflecting an impressive quarter-on-quarter growth of 14.3% and a year-on-year surge of 37.1%. Operating profits soared by 18% QoQ and 62% YoY.

  • Blaize, a Nasdaq-listed pioneer in Edge AI technology, is driving significant advancements in industries such as automotive, industrial IoT, and smart cities with its innovative solutions.

[RSnake: I think whomever of them is willing to invest overseas will have the most staying power. TSMC is one such company.]

Source: https://thereadable.co/burkhan-world-investments-celebrates-tsmcs-stellar-earnings-and-underpins-its-investment-in-blaize-holdings-bzai/

General Motors has been banned for five years from selling driving behavior and geolocation data to third parties due to a Federal Trade Commission investigation which found that consumers were not adequately informed about such data collection practices. The settlement requires G.M. to enhance consumer consent processes and allows drivers to more easily opt-out of data tracking while still permitting the sharing of anonymous driving data.

  • General Motors collected and sold detailed driving behavior and geolocation data from OnStar users without proper consumer notification.

  • The ban aims to protect consumer privacy and requires G.M. to improve data handling practices.

[RSnake: We saw this in the last newsletter, but more data on it. And more here.]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/technology/general-motors-driving-data-settlement.html

Business

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Walgreens, accusing the pharmacy chain of filling millions of illegitimate prescriptions for controlled substances, including opioids, over the past decade. The lawsuit claims Walgreens violated federal law and contributed to the opioid crisis by dispensing prescriptions without proper verification and disregarding internal evidence of unlawful practices.

  • Walgreens is accused of filling millions of prescriptions for opioids without a legitimate purpose.

  • Federal prosecutors are seeking to hold Walgreens accountable for its role in the opioid crisis.

[RSnake: Wow, that’s a lot of drugs flooding our streets. Fines aren’t enough to make sure companies realize this isn’t behavior that will end well for them in the long run.]

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/us-accuses-walgreens-filling-millions-illegitimate-prescriptions-including-117815152

Donald Trump has launched a cryptocurrency called $TRUMP, which rapidly gained a market capitalization of nearly $6 billion shortly after its debut. The project has faced skepticism regarding its legitimacy, but Trump has reassured supporters about its authenticity and plans for further coin releases in the coming years.

  • $TRUMP coin's launch led to significant market activity, raising questions about its legitimacy and potential scams.

  • Donald Trump's previous opposition to cryptocurrency has shifted, as he now supports the sector and intends to reduce regulations.

[RSnake: It’s a lot higher than that now! But for how long? This is almost certainly a rug-pull.]

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/trump-coin-donald-trumps-cryptocurrency-sparks-a-6-billion-frenzy/articleshow/117360645.cms

Canoo, an electric vehicle startup, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Delaware, ceasing operations immediately. The company has reported assets valued at $126 million and liabilities exceeding $164 million while struggling to secure support from investors and government loan programs.

  • Canoo has ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy due to financial difficulties.

  • The company is being liquidated, with a Bankruptcy Trustee appointed to manage the process.

[RSnake: That’s a huge amount of liabilities. It could be picked up by one of the larger manufacturers, but I doubt they want it given the fact that many are bearish on EV and self-driving vehicles at the moment.]

Source: https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/18/24346599/canoo-ev-chapter-7-bankruptcy-filing-announced

Cognosphere, the developer of Genshin Impact, has reached a $20 million settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission over concerns related to their marketing of loot boxes, specifically targeting minors. The settlement requires the company to implement parental consent measures and delete personal data of users under 13 years old.

  • Cognosphere is banned from selling loot boxes to teens under sixteen without parental consent.

  • HoYoverse must comply with COPPA rules and delete data on users under 13.

[RSnake: Marketing gambling to kids. That is actually what it is. It’s a dopamine hit because you don’t know what’s in the box, similar to pulling a slot machine handle.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/gaming/ftc-cracks-down-on-genshin-impact-gacha-loot-box-practices/

The Biden administration has initiated price negotiations for 15 medications, including popular weight loss and diabetes drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, as part of a new law allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices directly with manufacturers. This move is expected to generate significant savings for taxpayers and Medicare enrollees, although some drugs will not be available for obesity treatment under current Medicare guidelines. The negotiations mark a shift in how Medicare handles prescription drug pricing, having been prohibited from such actions for years, with more medications to be included in future negotiations.

  • 15 drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, will undergo price negotiations by Medicare.

  • Significant savings for taxpayers and Medicare enrollees are anticipated as a result.

[RSnake: I really am curious if these drugs will have a huge long-term negative side effect. Only time will tell, but imagine those lawsuits.]

Source: https://apnews.com/article/drug-prices-medicare-biden-trump-aae2271614f5959b484e5f081313f2e1

Wildfires in Los Angeles have displaced thousands of residents, leading to increases in rental prices in the area. Real estate platforms are responding to price gouging concerns related to the emergency, while local authorities are monitoring and regulating rental practices to protect affected individuals.

  • Wildfires have caused extensive damage and displacement in Los Angeles.

  • Rental prices are spiking dramatically due to increased demand and limited housing options.

[RSnake: A friend of mine in Idaho was getting no views on their new property they were trying to sell. Then it jumped up to well over 100. People want to leave the state, and they’re considering it in droves.]

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/la-wildfires-create-spike-rent-prices-forcing-rental/story?id=117753128

AT&T has withdrawn its wireless home internet service in New York due to the state's Affordable Broadband Act, which requires internet providers with over 20,000 customers to offer two affordable broadband plans.

  • The US Supreme Court declined to intervene in the law, allowing it to finally come into effect this month.

  • New York's Affordable Broadband Act requires internet providers to offer two affordable broadband plans to low-income households that qualify for social assistance benefits like Medicaid or the National School Lunch Program.

[RSnake: This is what happens when governments force minimums on companies - shortages. This is a perfect example of it. The ones who are the best pull out completely in the face of regulation.]

Source: https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/17/24346159/att-new-york-affordable-broadband-act-5g

Joann Fabrics has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time as it attempts to facilitate a sale amidst significant financial pressures. The company is seeking court approval to sell its assets while continuing to operate its stores and online platform, and has received interest from potential buyers who wish to keep the retailer running. If a better offer cannot be found, the stalking horse bidder plans to liquidate the stores and conduct going-out-of-business sales.

  • Joann Fabrics has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy again as it aims to sell its assets.

  • The company is currently operating normally while seeking better offers to avoid liquidation.

Workers at Costco, represented by the Teamsters union, have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a nationwide strike due to disputes over wages and benefits. The union claims that despite Costco's significant profits, the company has not met their demands for a fair contract, prompting preparations for potential strike action in the coming weeks.

  • Teamsters union members at Costco voted over 85% in favor of a potential nationwide strike.

  • The union argues that Costco's record profits have not translated into fair wages or benefits for its employees.

[RSnake: This will only hurt the most vulnerable population unless they can settle quickly.]

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/costcos-unionized-workers-vote-authorize-nationwide-strike/story?id=117875222

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Full Disclosure: None of this is advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and my opinions. Please be careful, do your own research, and consult a professional before taking action on anything posited here.