RSnake Report 20241009

Israeli divisions in Lebanon, Putin's birthday surprise, etc.

Author

Robert RSnake Hansen
October 09, 2024

Table of Contents

Hello, and thanks for reading!

Let’s start with the Russia/Ukraine conflict, which doesn’t appear to be slowing. Lots of stuff going on this week.

We are starting to see new systems that can be used by ground combatants to intercept the unencrypted video feeds of cheapo Russian drones. Combined with maps, a small AI may be able, using that video telemetry, to quickly identify the location in the battle space without triangulation. This could identify the exact location of the drone. Some might say the use of AI on the front line is a little too expensive currently, yet we are starting to see drones with chips on them that use AI to determine the terminal ballistics en route to the target when comms are cut due to jamming.

“Ukrainian system for intercepting the analog video stream of Russian FPV drones.”

In a strange move, Putin may have destroyed his own residence in Sochi. This is a bit of a head-scratcher. You can’t destroy it, so I will first? Huh? Guess he’s not quite the military strategist we thought he was, if this is correct. This is happening on Putin’s birthday. Guess it was a gift to himself? Maybe he plans to build something more ballistic missile-proof in its place?

“the main building was demolished”

In other Putin birthday news, hackers have been at it with more attacks against Russian state media. This time, they put up a deep fake of Putin discussing a quick win for Ukraine and that it was his last birthday. I doubt many people will fall for this, but either way, this gets to the hearts and minds of the public and makes them reconsider support for Putin’s ability to be a decisive winner in this conflict.

“Ukrainian hackers celebrate Putin's birthday by hacking russian TV”

There was also a massive set of explosions at an ammo depot that was allegedly a USSR-era dump that was storing North Korean missiles as well as open-air pits of ammo, forcing Russia to call a state of emergency. Now the city south of it in Karachev are in danger, both from exploding rockets, but also, there is a chance these depots also held chemical weapons as well. Not a good scenario for the people who live nearby, and a huge blow to the northern front’s ability to wage war as it is just over 100 miles from Kursk. Happy birthday, Putin. 🎁 

“to the people of Karachev..... run.”

Russia has decided to ban Discord, which does make sense. They are on a censorship roll, trying to limit what their own forces use and the means by which civilians in the country can see how badly they are doing. Socialist regimes have a pretty standard playbook. Of course, that doesn’t matter much if their own media outlets are compromised. Turkey followed suit as well, allegedly. We shall see what effect it has other than making soldiers lives more difficult. That said this is definitely causing software Balkanization.

“Discord messenger blocked in Russia”

Right out of the Mossad handbook, apparently, Ukraine has been delivering boobytrapped exploding comms to Russian forces. There is no evidence this worked or how widespread, but it is interesting to see how fast tactics evolve in the battle space.

“detonator is initiated by turning on the radio and explodes the PVV plastic explosive”

Coal production is declining, and the coal market is being imperiled in Russia. According to  Rosstat, coal production in Russia fell by 6.7% year-on-year in July, and its total volume of 31.5 million tons was the lowest since the 2020 pandemic. This might speed up again as winter approaches, and people will need additional ways to heat their homes and supply energy. Coal may be dirty, but it’s abundant. And oil terminals keep getting destroyed, like the one in Feodosia Crimea (more on that here and here), and it appears to be spreading. In related news, we also see the Russian bond market retracting to lows not seen in almost twenty years.

“still on fire on the second day after the attack”

Onto some brief European news, starting with eastern Europe - Belarus. Lukashenko signed a decree that allowed shooting down shahed drones flying into the territory of Belarus. The document allows the use of military weapons and employees of the prosecutor's office and other paramilitary organizations. So… has Lukashenko had a change of heart? He used to be very buddy-buddy with Putin. Is he worried about what happens to him in a post-conflict world? Does he worry about Russia’s ability to finish this and win? Why the change of stance towards Russia, since they are, after all, the ones shooting Shahed drones over Belarus? Have Western/Ukrainian forces freed him of whatever quiet obligations he had to Russia? 🤔 

“Lukashenko signed a decree”

Hungary had decided to block a G7 loan to Ukraine and extend sanctions against Russia until after the US elections. It’s funny how important our elections are to geopolitical issues in Europe, but nevertheless, here we are. Also, there is a rumor that the okay to use long-range Western/NATO weapons against Russia may also wait until after the elections.

“the decision may be postponed until November-December”

In a surprise vote, the Swiss have voted to make wearing face coverings, like the burqa and niqabs, illegal in Switzerland. This is likely backlash against the rise in crime in the area, but also a rejection of immigration from Muslim countries. I’m actually not a huge fan of this to be honest, because I think it flies in the face of La Liberté. But until they get the courage to start deporting immigrants, this, I guess, might make a lot of the Muslim population self-select to leave. Maybe? Remains to be seen.

“Burqas and niqabs are officially banned”

Onto Southeast Asia where apparently Bytedance is building a huge web scraper, that dwarfs what companies like Meta have built. This will give them a strategic advantage in AI, however, it will also be severely limited if they try to censor it to CCP ideals for modesty and socialism. It doesn’t matter how many bytes you download - if you intentionally lobotomize knowledge, it will be worse. That said, there is a lot of data on the Internet that people haven’t turned into greater findings that an AI with more data will be better suited for. Correlations - deep ones - require more data.

That could be a big advantage to China during a war effort, when they may be more or less blocked from the Internet. Having copies of it that are queryable locally is very useful. Meanwhile, the CCP is building up knowledge of different kinds of oil platforms in the South China Sea. I would not at all be surprised if the goal was to take these over immediately upon the launch of hostilities to give China more access to local oil and strangle US allies in the process. They will need this oil for their naval and ground forces.

“China Coast Guard has been patrolling near Malaysian oil and gas operations”

Alright, over to the Middle East, where the crown prince of Iran, Pahlavi Reza, has made a bid for democracy in Iran. His speech was excellent and worth listening to. He’s well-spoken and has a wonderful rhetoric about bringing peace to the region and ending the reign of terror that the Mullahs have created. Unfortunately, this is coming amid hawkish cries for escalation in Iran by the likes of Hassan Khomeini, Ayatollah Khomeini’s Grandson. Personally, Prince Pahlavi Reza has my vote, but I wonder if he won’t be assassinated by his own military for siding with the infidels. I worry for his safety, and I hope others in the region take him seriously.

“He says the Mullahs have created chaos in Syria, Iraq, Yemen & Lebanon”

Apparently the oil sanctions on Iran are having some effect, for instance, it is taking a lot more time and care to move crude oil around because sanctions are following them each time they make a handoff. Make a handoff, and whoever took the oil is sanctioned. That means each time, they have to take more care and find a new buyer. That’s a lot of cost for door-to-door transfers. Not to mention, they make very juicy targets for Israel and the West if escalations increase like they have been. It would be better to hit them when they are unladen to avoid an oil spill, but as the Houthis have shown, tankers are quite easy to hit and incapacitate/steal or destroy.

Israeli ground operations are underway against Hezbollah with at least four ground divisions. There is also a naval blockade being put into place at the same time. Fishermen and anyone using boats south of the Awali River are urgently warned to stay off the sea and shore due to imminent attacks against Hezbollah positions in the region.

“Israeli ground operation against Hezbollah”

This is causing Naim Qassem to ask for an unconditional ceasefire without preconditions and a modification of their policy to change their stance on Palestine. This is speculated to be because they have shown such military weakness against Israel to date in Lebanon, as more of their facilities are destroyed daily. Hezbollah needs to regroup, re-arm, and recruit or face likely annihilation and increasingly likely attacks against Iran itself, which has also shown itself unable to inflict any damage on Israel directly. Of course, he is asking the Israelis to stop shooting first, though… so… 😆 

“Check out what’s coming out of the ground”

There’s a good chart on the US and Israeli ships in the region here, and amongst them is the Arleigh Burke, which has already shot down dozens of Houthi drones and missiles, and the USS Cole, which was bombed in Yemen - hat tip to those battle-hardened crews!

Israel has possibly hit one of the locations of a Syrian nuclear program at Qusayr. The map is here. The evidence is scant, and I can’t find much beyond the Spiegel article. However, knowing Israel, it would not come as a surprise if there were a few bombs dropped on any facilities suspected of nuclear research in the region. Though this may be the first, I have seen of them attacking Syria directly.

There have been attacks against Beirut with fair warning to the people there to leave at least 500 meters from the buildings shown. This is an interesting tactic to lower casualties but it also means that the Hezbollah militants also have a chance to leave. Perhaps that’s useful information as they can see where they leave to now that they’ve identified the targets for destruction. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has reportedly shot more than 100 rockets towards Northern Israel - with many interceptions and minimal damage.

“those nearby in the Barj al-Barajneh and Hadath neighborhoods, you are near Hezbollah facilities.”

Onto domestic news where Jack Sullivan has an ultimatum for Israel - disclose which targets you are going after and when you attempt to attack Iran, or we won’t help counter missile strikes against Israel. This is coming at the same time that 60-Minutes interviewed Kamala Harris where she said that Iran is our greatest threat. So, we want Iran to break operational security and tell us things we could leak to Iran, or we won’t even stop an inbound missile barrage of the stated greatest threat to the United States against our ally? Which is it, guys? Do we want to stop Iran or not? I don’t care if you’re hawkish on this or dovish - but pick a lane.

Canadian opposition leader PM Pierre said it beautifully that the destruction of Iran would be a gift to humanity. You should watch this if you haven’t. I do hope he ends up winning over Trudeau - he definitely has a better understanding of the world from what I’ve seen thus far.

“It would be a gift by the Jewish state to humanity”

By the way, this is not the first time anyone has said this, but… Kamala is wrong. China, Russia, and then maybe Iran and North Korea are our greatest threats, but in that order. Saying Iran is number one is a bit worrying, given that their own policies dictate something different entirely. She should probably consult whoever is running Biden’s office for him before doing more interviews. The odd part is she seems to agree with Biden’s policies… on every issue actually. She seems very out of touch with her own department, so either she’s lying, or she’s not being let in on the policy discussions. Either way… 😰 

“it will not support efforts to counter another Iranian missile strike on Israel”

In other news, there was a thwarted terrorist attack that was planned to happen on election day by an Afghani man and his wife’s juvenile son in Oklahoma City. Hopefully, this really was a lone wolf situation, but it was planned to use AK-47 rifles and cause a mass shooting, but the FBI uncovered the plot in advance. They expected to die during the attack.

“ISIS-inspired mass shooting on U.S. Election Day”

Lastly, before we get on with the rest of the news, that hurricane Milton continues its slow march toward the western coast of Florida. It has meager millibar ratings, some of the lowest in history. That may loosen a bit as it makes a bit of landfall in northern Yucatán, but it is still likely to be a Category 3 or greater by the time it makes landfall, which will happen shortly. I’ve had to postpone some meetings due to people fleeing the area… if you’re there, you still have time to leave.

“now down to 914.4mb extrapolated.”

Okay, onto the articles!



An American citizen named Sagui Dekel-Chen was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists during an attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, where his family and community have suffered significant trauma. The kibbutz has experienced the deaths and abductions of many residents, and the community feels abandoned and seeks justice for the hostages and support from their governments.

  • Sagui Dekel-Chen's family and community face severe consequences after his abduction by Hamas.

  • Over half of Kibbutz Nir Oz's residents have been affected by fatalities or hostage situations.

[RSnake: This a personality piece but gives you some idea of what the hostages lived through or are still living through - the few that remain under Hamas captivity are still alive.]

Source: https://www.dailywire.com/news/father-of-hamas-hostage-describes-year-of-living-hell-since-sons-capture

Recent assessments indicate that Iran may have already developed a nuclear weapon, potentially utilizing gun-type bomb designs that do not require extensive testing. Additionally, Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities have reportedly advanced to the point where it could produce sufficient fissile material for a bomb within a short timeframe.

  • Iran may have developed a nuclear weapon.

  • Iran's nuclear enrichment is at a level that could allow for rapid bomb production.

[RSnake: For reference, while the gun type is low-yield and not particularly complex, it is still absolutely lethal. We used it against Hiroshima and produced a yield of approximately 16 kilotons of TNT. It’s easily enough to destroy virtually all soft targets in a dense city.]

Source: https://sofrep.com/?p=209333

A Category 5 hurricane named Milton is approaching the southeastern United States, with winds reaching 160 mph (250 km/h), prompting military bases to initiate evacuation plans and secure assets. The Department of Defense is mobilizing forces to ensure safety and maintain operational continuity while simultaneously engaging in recovery efforts from a recent devastating storm, Hurricane Helene, which caused significant damage and fatalities across multiple states.

  • Hurricane Milton is intensifying and is expected to land in Florida with catastrophic winds.

  • The military is actively relocating aircraft and ships while continuing recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene.

[RSnake: It is making landfall either right now or imminently.]

Source: https://sofrep.com/?p=209316

Four mayors in Mexico have requested federal protection following the brutal decapitation of newly elected Mayor Alejandro Arcos in Guerrero. The violence in the region is linked to organized crime, with a historic increase in mayors being targeted, as Guerrero state recorded 1,890 murders last year due to cartel activity.

  • Four mayors from Guerrero and Guanajuato requested protection after the murder of Mayor Alejandro Arcos.

  • High levels of violence in Guerrero state are attributed to organized crime, particularly drug cartels.

On October 8, 2024, Iran launched a ballistic missile barrage against Tel Aviv in response to Israel's recent military actions, which included targeted strikes that eliminated key leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas. Despite the scale of Iran's attack, Israel is expected to maintain its military and political dominance in the region, continuing its strategic operations and diplomatic engagement with regional partners. The ongoing conflict has led to significant humanitarian consequences, including the displacement of over 80,000 Israelis.

  • Iran's missile attack represents a direct reaction to the killing of key military leaders by Israel.

  • Israel's military superiority and ongoing diplomatic efforts are likely to maintain its regional influence despite recent escalations.

[RSnake: Israel was targeted as well. 2 Israelis were killed in the latest strike. It’s tragic but at the same time it just shows how impotent un-targeted Hezbollah missiles really are compared to the surgical strikes that Israel is employing. This is along the lines of even a broken clock is right twice a day. Somewhere near a thousand missiles have been fired by Hezbollah since the beginning of the war and there are barely any casualties on the Israeli side. No wonder they are seeking a ceasefire.]

Source: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/?p=45573



Haiti is experiencing severe instability and increased violence due to gang attacks, exemplified by a recent massacre that left at least 70 people dead and displaced over 6,200. Powerful armed groups, such as the Gran Grif gang, are conducting widespread assaults across the nation, prompting international intervention efforts, including a Kenyan-led policing mission that faces funding and resource challenges.

  • Recent gang violence in Haiti has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with thousands displaced and in search of safety.

  • International efforts to stabilize the situation, including a Kenyan-led police mission, are struggling with resource limitations.

Israel has intensified its military operations in southern Lebanon, conducting air strikes on Hezbollah positions and targeting areas that have resulted in casualties and a mass displacement crisis. Hezbollah has retaliated with missile attacks into northern Israel, causing injuries and escalating tensions significantly along the border region.

  • Israel launched 120 air strikes in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah.

  • Hezbollah responded with rocket attacks on northern Israel, marking a significant escalation in ongoing hostilities.

  • The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis with over one million displaced individuals in Lebanon.

[RSnake: Yes, Israel launched 120, and likely almost all of them hit their targets, whereas Hezbollah launched a similar amount and has a hit rate of somewhere between 1-5% so far, it seems, depending on if you count managing to hit the ground with no casualties as a hit or not.]

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/7/israel-steps-up-lebanon-bombing-as-hezbollah-attacks-haifa?traffic_source=rss

The world is entering a third nuclear age characterized by rising tensions among global powers, particularly the United States, Russia, and China. Strategic stability is increasingly challenged by the expansion of nuclear arsenals, a potential absence of arms control agreements, and the geopolitical ambitions of these states, raising the likelihood of nuclear conflict in a multi-peer environment.

  • The third nuclear age is characterized by heightened risks of nuclear conflict due to aggressive postures from nuclear-armed states.

  • The absence of binding arms control agreements between major powers could destabilize international security and strategic stability.

[RSnake: Said another way, Cold War II. And hopefully not a World War III.]

Source: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/?p=794680

Raytheon has successfully completed controlled environmental tests for the Barracuda Mine Neutralization System, which validates its capability to autonomously detect and neutralize naval mines in various underwater conditions. This development is essential for advancing the U.S. Navy's efforts in mine warfare, with the program moving towards production and operational readiness by 2027.

  • Raytheon conducted tests for the Barracuda Mine Neutralization System, demonstrating its autonomy in detecting and neutralizing undersea mines.

  • The program is critical for modern naval operations, with production set to begin in 2027.

[RSnake: This will likely become a bigger deal as blue water navies come under attack near ports or as landing craft become needed.]

Source: https://www.navalnews.com/?p=62687

The mayor of Chilpancingo, Mexico, was murdered just six days after assuming office, with his decapitated head found on a truck. This incident is part of a troubling wave of violence against politicians amid ongoing cartel-related issues in Guerrero state, which saw significant violence last year.

  • Alejandro Arcos, the newly elected mayor, was killed shortly after taking office.

  • The region has a history of violence tied to drug cartels, leading to concerns for political safety.

Transnational crime networks in Southeast Asia have been linked to human and narcotic trafficking, fraud, and smuggling, posing a threat to regional stability and global security.

  • China-backed networks in Laos and Cambodia exploit corruption and weak governance for drug trafficking, cyber scams, and human trafficking.

  • Organized crime groups from Japan, such as the Yakuza, have become involved in criminal activities in cities like Sihanoukville, Poipet, and Bavet.

[RSnake: To say this isn’t the hand of the CCP is missing the point. If it were a different leadership - say the Taiwanese leaders, we wouldn’t have streets filled with Fentanyl addicts.]

Source: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/?p=45556

North Korea is escalating its nuclear capabilities and military posture, actively disengaging from previous diplomatic efforts with the United States while strengthening ties with Russia and China. Kim Jong Un has declared South Korea as a principal enemy and announced a shift away from reunification efforts, increasing tensions in Northeast Asia amidst ongoing geopolitical competition between major powers.

  • North Korea is ramping up its nuclear arsenal and military preparations.

  • The relationship between North Korea, Russia, and China is becoming more pronounced, impacting regional security dynamics.

[RSnake: I see North Korea getting into a cottage industry supplying arms and exporting soldiers to Russia. It’s a great source of revenue and barter they have historically locked off from.]

Source: https://foreignpolicy.com/?p=1158743

Air-raid warnings have been issued in Kyiv and surrounding areas due to unidentified drone activity, with air defense systems responding to the threats.

  • Ukrainian authorities have reported multiple instances of Russian drone attacks, including strikes on oil refineries and civilian ships.

  • The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant losses for Russia, with reports of over 1,300 soldiers killed and 47 artillery systems destroyed in a single day.

[RSnake: The number of Shahed drones being launched steadily increases over time, with random fluctuations. But the trend-line is definitely up because it reduces the human losses on the Russian side.]

Source: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/10/8/7478647/

The Western Balkans is experiencing geopolitical tensions as the United States and the European Union grapple with the region's potential for democratic and economic growth amid challenges from Russian and Chinese influence. Recent assessments indicate a need for urgent collaboration between the US and EU to prioritize democratic reforms and economic revitalization to secure the region's integration with the West.

  • The Western Balkans faces significant geopolitical challenges due to Russian and Chinese influence.

  • There is a pressing need for the US and EU to enhance cooperation to foster democratic and economic growth in the region.

In 2024, the technology sector continues to experience a notable wave of layoffs, with over 130,000 job cuts reported across 457 companies within just the first few months. This trend reflects a broader industry shift towards embracing automation and artificial intelligence, leading companies to reassess workforce needs and operational strategies amid challenging market conditions.

  • More than 130,000 tech jobs have been cut in 2024 alone, affecting numerous companies.

  • The layoffs indicate a strategic shift towards automation and AI within the industry.

[RSnake: Oracle is amongst them trying to sneak in substantial layoffs. Our eagle-eye spotted it here. Layoffs will continue as long as uncertainty in the market continues and consumer spending is curbed by debt and fears for their future employment.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=2607662

Microsoft and Google are exploring nuclear energy as a power source for their AI data centers amid increasing demand for reliable electricity. Texas officials express concern over the potential strain on the power grid from data centers co-locating with existing power plants, prompting discussions about new energy generation solutions to support the growing AI sector.

  • Nuclear energy is being considered as a critical power source for AI data centers.

  • Texas officials are concerned about the impact of data centers on grid resource adequacy.

[RSnake: Fusion power can’t come fast enough - if it ever comes at all. But in the meantime, we should invest in thorium reactors that have non-proliferation built in and are much safer if they are attacked than traditional Uranium reactors.]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/google-turns-nuclear-power-power-its-data-centers

Google has reversed its decision to eliminate third-party cookies from its Chrome browser, a move that has implications for user privacy and digital advertising practices. This decision follows pressures from privacy advocates, regulators, and advertisers, and highlights the ongoing debate about data tracking in the digital landscape.

  • Google's decision to retain third-party cookies has raised concerns about user privacy in the face of increased online surveillance.

  • This reversal indicates a shift in digital advertising dynamics, with advertisers needing to adapt to the continued presence of cookies.

[RSnake: Google did something anti-consumer? No way!! No, but seriously, if you have been living under a rock for the last decade or so, Google is absolutely a bad actor, so this comes as no surprise that they want better ways to track you. That is, after all, the core of their ad business, which, to be clear, is their only meaningful business. It’s so big that they actually count YouTube ads differently, adding up to around 75% of their $300+B per year profit. That’s a lot of privacy they have to break.]

Source: https://www.wired.com/story/google-chrome-third-party-cookies-privacy-rollback/

A U.S. judge has ordered Google to allow third-party app stores access to the Google Play catalog, potentially changing the landscape of the Android app marketplace. This ruling aims to increase competition by prohibiting Google from enforcing its in-app billing system and limiting partnerships that hinder rival stores. The injunction is set to take effect in November 2024, while Google plans to appeal the decision.

  • Google must allow access to its full catalog of apps for rival app stores.

  • The ruling prohibits Google from requiring its billing system for apps.

  • Google intends to appeal the judge's decision before the injunction takes effect.

[RSnake: That is a huge deal. This is one of the significant reasons cell phone providers are stuck using Google search - having access to Google Play is a requirement. Suddenly, cell phone companies can make good products that don’t require sending everything off to Google and still allow them the collection of apps in the catalog. Another article about it here.]

Source: https://www.theverge.com/policy/2024/10/7/24243316/epic-google-permanent-injunction-ruling-third-party-stores

A spacecraft called Hera has been launched to investigate an asteroid that was previously altered by NASA to test planetary defense measures. The mission aims to gather data about the asteroid Dimorphos to improve future interception efforts against potentially hazardous asteroids. There are ongoing advancements in space technology and international collaboration to address the risks posed by near-Earth objects.

  • Hera launched to study Dimorphos, an asteroid altered by NASA's DART mission.

  • The mission aims to improve interception strategies for potentially hazardous asteroids.

[RSnake: Cool - almost out of sci-fi, but it’s real.]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly694y5kgeo

The excitement surrounding the metaverse, initially driven by prominent tech companies and brands, has significantly diminished, leading to many chief metaverse officers changing roles or leaving their positions as companies pivot towards artificial intelligence. The metaverse, which once promised vast opportunities in virtual commerce, is struggling with low user engagement and a lack of clear direction, prompting major brands to reconsider their strategies and investments in this space, with a growing focus on augmented reality instead.

  • Many chief metaverse officers are transitioning to new roles as companies shift focus from the metaverse to artificial intelligence.

  • The initial enthusiasm for the metaverse has evaporated due to low user engagement and a lack of clear direction from brands.

  • Brands are increasingly exploring augmented reality as a more viable alternative to the metaverse.

[RSnake: This idea was just way way too early. It looked worse than anything else that was out at the time. All of the MMORPGs were better graphics, with more functionality and… often, a plot. Or at least weapons to pummel your friends. For this to work, it has got to get past some uncanny valley hurdles, get out of the way of the users as much as possible, and that means no censorship and maybe not even any oversight. I don’t think most of the social companies have the stomach for that, and of course it leads to Very Bad Things when you allow uncensored and unmonitored content to exist.]

Source: https://www.wired.com/story/where-have-all-the-chief-metaverse-officers-gone/

Tesla is set to unveil its highly anticipated Robotaxi vehicle at an event in Burbank, California. The company is expected to showcase a vehicle designed without a steering wheel or pedals, aiming for autonomous capabilities, and has a history of promises regarding its Full Self-Driving technology.

  • Tesla is launching a new Robotaxi vehicle at a major event.

  • The vehicle will be fully autonomous and designed without traditional controls.

[RSnake: I am really excited about this, but I will definitely not be the first person to get into one. When this technology gets far along enough, outside of emergency situations, I see no need for a vehicle. The rental generation will truly be here.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=2894056

A phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) platform called Mamba 2FA has been used in AiTM attacks targeting Microsoft 365 accounts, offering threat actors an adversary-in-the-middle mechanism to bypass multi-factor authentication protections. The PhaaS is currently sold to cybercriminals for $250/month and has been tracking activity since May 2024. Organizations can protect against such operations by using hardware security keys, certificate-based authentication, geo-blocking, IP allowlisting, device allowlisting, and token lifespan shortening.

  • Mamba 2FA is a PhaaS platform sold to cybercriminals for $250/month and has been used in AiTM attacks targeting Microsoft 365 accounts.

  • The platform allows threat actors to bypass multi-factor authentication protections and has been tracking activity since May 2024.

[RSnake: This isn’t anything new, but it’s definitely getting a lot more sophisticated in light of how easy it is to create customized phishing emails with AI.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-mamba-2fa-bypass-service-targets-microsoft-365-accounts/

Microsoft's October 2024 Patch Tuesday addresses five zero-day vulnerabilities, including two that are actively exploited in the wild, and a total of 118 vulnerabilities across its software products. This update includes critical fixes for security flaws that could allow remote code execution and privilege escalation, reinforcing the urgency for organizations to apply these patches promptly to safeguard their systems.

  • Microsoft fixes five zero-day vulnerabilities, two of which are actively exploited.

  • The update addresses critical vulnerabilities that could lead to remote code execution and privilege escalation.

[RSnake: Patch up! Also, Apple just put out the new Siri Intelligence if you haven’t patched up to see it. Mostly it affects Notes, Siri and iPhone Mirroring so far.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-october-2024-patch-tuesday-fixes-5-zero-days-118-flaws/

Former Uber Chief Information Security Officer Joseph Sullivan is petitioning for a new trial, claiming that key information was omitted during the original proceedings that affected the jury's decision. He was previously convicted for covering up a data breach and faces significant scrutiny regarding compliance with data-handling laws in corporate governance. The prosecution contends that any errors during the trial did not affect the clear nature of Sullivan's obstruction of justice.

  • Joseph Sullivan is seeking a new trial based on alleged jury instruction errors during his original trial.

  • His conviction has led to increased legal scrutiny of executive accountability in data breach situations.

Chinese government-linked hackers have targeted U.S. telecommunications firms, including AT&T, Lumen, and Verizon, to potentially uncover counterintelligence measures used by U.S. agencies. This development is raising national security issues within the U.S. government amidst ongoing tensions between China and the United States.

  • Chinese hackers aimed at U.S. telecom providers could threaten national security by exposing counterintelligence operations.

  • The incident illustrates the ongoing cyber conflict between the U.S. and China, with significant implications for U.S.-China relations.

[RSnake: Just the latest in clandestine warfare - learning the battle-space before a kinetic action is taken. Cyber really is the 5th domain of war. Sea, Air, Land, Space, Cyber.]

Source: https://foreignpolicy.com/?p=1159100

A Chinese state-sponsored hacking group known as Salt Typhoon has infiltrated major US broadband provider networks, compromising systems used for law enforcement wiretapping. This breach is considered a potentially catastrophic security incident, as it may allow the attackers to collect intelligence and possibly disrupt communications in the future.

  • Salt Typhoon accessed wiretapping systems of AT&T and Verizon.

  • The breach poses a significant threat to national security and law enforcement.

Russian authorities have arrested the founder of Cryptex, a company subject to U.S. sanctions, along with 95 other individuals linked to him. A Ukrainian national has pleaded guilty to participating in the Raccoon Stealer malware operation, which compromised over 50 million credentials globally, leading to extensive investigations by U.S. law enforcement.

  • The founder of Cryptex was arrested under U.S. sanctions, indicating a crackdown on cybercrime networks.

  • Raccoon Stealer malware has resulted in massive data breaches, affecting millions worldwide and prompting significant law enforcement actions.

American Water, the largest publicly traded water utility in the U.S., shut down certain systems following a cyberattack, prompting investigations and notifying law enforcement. Meanwhile, a TLP:AMBER advisory has been issued regarding Russian-linked cyberattacks on the water sector, reflecting ongoing concerns over cybersecurity vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.

  • American Water was forced to shut down some systems after a cyberattack.

  • The attack has prompted investigations and joint efforts with law enforcement.

[RSnake: LCRA is just as bad from everything I have heard. Water and power companies have no money so most cyber criminals don’t bother. But nation states, on the other hand, love these targets.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/american-water-shuts-down-online-services-after-cyberattack/

MoneyGram has confirmed that hackers stole personal information and transaction data from its customers during a cyberattack last month, which caused a week-long outage of its website and app. The stolen data includes names, contact information, and transaction details, with potential exposure of limited Social Security numbers and government identification documents. An investigation is ongoing, and MoneyGram has notified U.K. data protection regulators of the breach as required by law.

  • Hackers accessed and acquired personal information of MoneyGram customers.

  • The company is investigating the extent of the breach and has informed regulatory authorities.

Malicious domains are increasingly prevalent on the internet, posing risks to both companies and individuals. A novel TLS-based fingerprinting approach has been developed to enhance the tracking and detection of these domains, resulting in the identification of 67 previously unknown malicious domains.

  • Malicious domains can serve a variety of harmful content, including malware and phishing schemes.

  • The new fingerprinting technique improves upon existing methods by utilizing enriched TLS fingerprints combined with HTTP header data.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is launching new measures to address funding challenges for European startups and unicorns. The proposed 'Action Plan' includes enhancing the venture capital market to facilitate innovation and prevent companies from relocating to the US, acknowledging Europe's lag behind its competitors in tech commercialization.


Boeing Co. is facing potential downgrades to its credit rating due to ongoing financial pressures, including an extensive labor strike that has halted production of its 737 Max aircraft, causing a daily loss of approximately $100 million in sales. The company is projected to incur a cash outflow of around $10 billion in 2024 and may struggle to meet its debt obligations without additional funding.


Procurement teams are facing a significant gap between their goals for digital transformation and their current capabilities, as outlined in a new study. The research indicates a projected 187% increase in artificial intelligence adoption within procurement functions by next year, despite currently low utilization rates of technology and automation in the industry. Additionally, there is an acknowledged need for cultural shifts in organizations to support these technological advances and redefine success metrics beyond cost-saving measures.

  • There is a critical disconnect between procurement ambitions for transformation and their execution capabilities.

  • AI adoption in procurement is expected to grow significantly, but current utilization is low.

  • Organizations need to shift their focus from cost-cutting to innovation and resilience.


A significant conflict has arisen between WordPress and WP Engine regarding trademark usage and features related to WordPress hosting. The founder of WordPress has accused WP Engine of undermining key functionalities of the platform, while WP Engine has retaliated with legal action and claims of misrepresentation.

  • Dispute centers on trademark usage and operational practices for WordPress hosting.

  • Impacts a large portion of the web as WordPress powers around 40% of websites.

Retailers are experiencing significant losses due to shrink, which amounted to $112 billion in 2023, a substantial increase from the previous year. To address inventory loss during shipping and delivery, retailers are increasingly adopting advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and RFID to monitor and reduce theft and misplacement of products.

  • Shrink in retail is a massive financial issue, with losses hitting $112 billion in 2023.

  • Advanced technologies like AI and RFID are being utilized to tackle inventory loss during the delivery process.

[RSnake: Probably doesn’t help that many Democratically run cities have de-criminalized petty theft.]

Source: https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/40406-how-ai-brings-clarity-to-lost-or-stolen-products-from-dc-to-store

The US tax code is set to change next year, with the upcoming presidential election influencing the decisions that will need to be made regarding tax provisions. The expiration of tax provisions from 2017 could result in many Americans facing increased income taxes if new legislation is not passed by the end of 2025.

  • The presidential election will significantly impact tax policies in the US.

  • If new tax laws are not enacted by 2025, many Americans will face higher income taxes.

FEMA is facing a severe staffing shortage as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, with only 9 percent of its disaster workers available for response. This follows a series of recent natural disasters across the country, leading to diminished staffing levels compared to previous years, creating challenges in dealing with multiple ongoing disaster situations.

  • FEMA has only 9 percent of its personnel available to respond to Hurricane Milton.

  • The agency is currently managing over 100 major disaster declarations simultaneously.

[RSnake: At least we still have the National Guard. Stay safe out there!]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/07/climate/hurricane-milton-fema-staff-shortage.html

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