RSnake Report 20250309

Hello, and thanks for reading! Saturday, I spoke on a panel at SXSW German Haus. I think the consensus from the panelists was that regulations are stifling innovation in Germany, specifically on dual-use tech, and that balkanization is likely the future for Europe, even if it’s a very undesirable outcome. $520 billion in new government investments in German military will be hamstrung if they don’t reduce their bureaucracy at the same time. It was a short panel but we discussed a lot. Okay, onto the news:

Let’s start with Russian/Ukraine news where Zelensky's sudden change of heart regarding the U.S.-Ukraine mineral deal has people raising eyebrows. Just a few days ago, he was calling it extortion; now, he's ready to sign it “anytime, in any format.” Zelensky’s latest statement sounds almost like an apology tour for Trump, likely pushed upon him by his cabinet and other leaders who would like to bring this conflict to a close. Ukraine is ready to negotiate, and fast-track a peace deal, at least as far as they want the public to know.

Meanwhile, in retaliation for a poor negotiation, the U.S. just pulled the plug on its intelligence support to Ukraine. This means no more ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) flights, no more shared battlefield intelligence, and no more of the classified data that has been key to Ukraine's air defenses and targeting operations. Expect a surge in Russian missile and drone strikes now that Ukraine's radar and SIGINT/HUMINT coverage has massive blind spots.

However, the end of U.S. aid also means the end of U.S. restrictions on Ukraine’s strategy. Certain Russian targets that were previously off-limits—like the electrical infrastructure powering Russian supply trains—are suddenly back in play. This shift could put serious pressure on Russian logistics. The question is, will Ukraine go all in on crippling Russia’s supply chain now that no one in Washington is telling them to hold back?

On the tech front, Ukraine is rolling out the “Werewolf” drone a fast FPV drone hitting speeds of 124 mph. It’s designed to intercept and destroy enemy drones and other airborne threats. That is easily fast enough to intercept ground troops, boats, and most quadcopters and propeller drones.

Ukraine just used sea-based drone carriers to launch FPV attack drones deep into Russian-controlled territory. The drones struck Russian Strela-10 and Osa-AKM air defense systems, proving that even naval drones can play a role in Ukraine’s growing air war. I have long thought that this was the way things were going, but also in attacking war ships, using the smaller air drones as a distraction to waste time, resources, and defensive capabilities while the slower sea drones come in to hit the hull.

Russia, for its part, is trying to keep up. Its latest move? Jury-rigged portable electronic warfare (EW) kits designed to jam Ukrainian FPV drones. These makeshift solutions signal that the Russian infantry is struggling with the sheer volume of drone attacks. If this is their best answer, it’s not a great sign for their battlefield tech superiority. If you watch the video, the soldier is leaning forward, meaning this thing is crazy heavy and likely back-loaded, making it very difficult to carry for long periods of time.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials are making the case for a non-NATO-led air defense umbrella dubbed “Sky Shield.” The concept is simple: a coalition of 120 allied European fighter jets patrolling Ukraine’s skies so that Ukrainian pilots can focus on offense. By being non-NATO it wouldn’t provoke Article V and trigger nuclear war, or at least that's what proponents are claiming.

That leads us to European news, where Italy just told France and the UK, “You can go—not with my soldiers.” Prime Minister Meloni rejected proposals to send Italian troops to Ukraine, making it clear that Rome has no interest in escalating its involvement.

Things got spicy in Serbia’s parliament after opposition lawmakers literally set off smoke grenades and tear gas to protest the government. If your democracy is functioning normally, there’s usually less need for pyrotechnics inside the legislature. Pretty crazy footage though.

Lithuania just withdrew from the international convention banning cluster munitions, becoming the first EU country to do so. It’s also planning to ditch the treaty banning anti-personnel mines. I can see why - as awful as these technologies are, if they plan to compete against the likes of Russia, who doesn’t care about the future of amputee children, you need to be fighting with the most effective weapons you can muster. It’s awful but understandable.

On top of Germany’s $520B, the EU is gearing up to mobilize an eye-watering €800 billion to boost defense spending. With the U.S. stepping back from European security commitments, Brussels is scrambling to build up its own military-industrial complex. But then they came up with this graphic that is very reminiscent of a graphic pornographic photo dubbed “goatse” of a man stretching himself open. Search for that term at your own risk.

Meanwhile, the Nordic countries, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, have agreed to standardize their mortar and artillery ammunition. It’s a smart logistical move, making it easier to coordinate joint procurement and stockpile management.

And in a move that will have massive geopolitical consequences, Poland is either going to acquire or develop nuclear weapons. European nuclear proliferation is happening. This is entirely the US’s fault - we encourage Ukraine to get rid of theirs with the promise that we’d step in and they wouldn’t need them. Now other countries need nukes because they don’t trust the treaties. ☢️ 

The German defense giant Rheinmetall just revealed footage of its Skyranger 35, a high-tech anti-air turret mounted on a Leopard 1 chassis. If you watch the video, it shows the air-burst ammunition exploding ahead of the target, making it quite effective at disabling drones at a distance with relatively low-cost ammunition.

Onto Southeast Asia, where China released a propaganda video showcasing China’s naval forces getting ready for a potential invasion of Taiwan. While the video itself is obviously scripted, the capabilities on display are very at least mostly real. With Western focus diverted elsewhere, Beijing is methodically building towards their one goal.

A Chinese auto manufacturer is outfitting vehicles with onboard drone launchers, presumably for photos, but also for tactical reconnaissance, or ISR capabilities. The potential for both military and civilian use is enormous, but considering China’s growing surveillance state, expect this tech to be used for more than just traffic monitoring. I keep getting the impression China is trying to get as many drones created as possible so that their civilian population has many of them and is accustomed to using them in civilian life, so that they will be better armed if troops ever invade.

Trade wars are heating up again, as Beijing slaps 100% tariffs on select Canadian imports, including rapeseed oil, oil cakes, and peas, while pork and aquatic products get hit with a 25% hike. This is a clear retaliation against Canada’s alignment with U.S. economic policies.

And then there’s the balloon barrage. Remember when the CCP sent a bunch of balloons over the US? Well, China just sent another 11 balloons toward Taiwan in a single day. The former commander of U.S. Naval Intelligence recently pointed out that these serve roles in electronic warfare, surveillance, and as potential decoys for larger operations. The video does a good job of showing their overflights over time.

Onto Middle East news, where an Israeli flag briefly flew in Suwayda, a Druze-majority city in southwestern Syria, before being promptly torn down and burned. The reaction was immediate and violent, with locals rioting in the streets. There was some talk that perhaps the Druze were more pro-Israeli, and while they may be true, I don’t think it’s as cozy as the press would like to believe.

Meanwhile, the Houthis aren’t exactly subtle with their messaging. Their latest rallying cry? “Make it a world war, we don’t care!” The footage of them chanting for an escalation is as unhinged as it is concerning. It is no surprise that the US has deemed them a terrorist organization. But look at the vast numbers of people who showed up! Gonna need some carpet bombing to take a crowd that large.

And in Syria, HTS (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham) has responded to Assad loyalists attacking their regime by going on a brutal killing spree. Pro-Assad forces are still fighting back, but it turns out they are quick to start asking for help from the Israelis to come to their rescue. Either way, Israel isn’t dealing with groups that it can have a good relationship with, HTS, which is historically anti-Israeli, or Assad loyalists, who have been historically anti-Israel. Not a lot of good options here.

In North American news, in an absolutely stunning turn of events, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is officially and finally out. He had previously announced his resignation but hadn’t followed through with it. After Trump publicly called him out for trying to use the U.S.-Canada tariff war as a political lifeline, Trudeau’s own party ousted him. His final public appearance as PM will be tonight, it is believed. Whether you liked him or not, this marks the end of an era in Canadian politics. I, for one, think he was a wrecking ball for reason and economics and am glad to see him go.

The U.S. is also doubling down on economic warfare, hitting Canada and Mexico with 25% tariffs - just in time to hit right as Trudeau leaves with his tail between his legs. The markets, however, don’t seem to believe the U.S. will actually enforce them—Mexican and Canadian currencies have barely moved. Maybe they know something Washington doesn’t?

POTUS has said that we are getting a new office - the Office of Shipbuilding. That might be a huge win for us, but we also need to take into account that the merchant marines are having a difficult time staffing and the bureaucracy that they are being held to is also a huge problem. So this is a multi-pronged issue that needs to be dealt with.

Missouri’s attorney general just won a $24 billion judgment against China, and he’s made it clear, either Beijing pays up, or the state starts seizing Chinese-owned farmland and assets. Expect some major legal and diplomatic battles over this one.

But the story is more complicated because now there seems to be rumbling that a strain of bird flu, H5N1 might have originated from a lab in Athens, GA. If we are suing the CCP for Covid, are they going to get to sue the US for H5N1? Yet another reason to get any US companies out of China and sell off any assets there if that turns out to be true.

Regarding leaving NATO, Ron Paul had a little video on his take on it and why he has historically thought that NATO was unnecessary and perhaps even detrimental. He didn’t even really cover off on Article V, but it does seem like this is getting more traction as a discussion point. We shall see, but at minimum a threat of US withdrawal will dramatically decrease US spending. Glen Beck (haven’t heard that name in a while) also had a video about what Trump may be up to - playing 4D chess, which might be worth your time if you want to see how all this plays out. That said, this video with Trump gave me a strange sensation, as if he wants to become closer to Russia and possibly China too - and if you really try to think through that possibility it is an odd world order that emerges. Love to hear your thoughts!

There was a 5-4 decision in the Supreme Court against Trump’s request to restrict billions in foreign aid. Some are calling the Republican appointed justices names and saying that it opens up the lower courts’ abilities to throw wrenches at the president’s executive orders, but I think they actually did what they were supposed to do - uphold the law. It stems from Nixon (doesn’t it all). Back in 1974 he tried to withhold funding and Congress passed a law that limits Presidential impoundment. The idea being, if Congress owns the purse, the President cannot frustrate the will of Congress, beyond his veto right. Of course, the President has other options like nonacquiescence a la ex parte Merryman. Or, you know, get Congress to vote, like the law states. I am all about trimming waste but not at the expense of the law.

In other news, Democratic politicians put out a set of videos that were all identical. We have seen similar situations with how a single script was used in news nationwide, and now again at the highest levels of Democratic politics. Pretty gross and blatant. It does make sense that they’d have the same talking points, but the same script? Identically? Word for word? 🙄 I think the total number of politicians that produced the same videos was something like 20 or more. The question is: who controls their narrative, and do you choose to go along with whomever controls them?

In another sign of changing global dynamics, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) just announced a $100 billion investment in the U.S. This is a massive win for the U.S. tech sector and a direct counter to the CCP semiconductor ambitions.

In Tech news, Cortical Labs just launched the first commercial biological computer, a system where human neurons are directly integrated onto silicon chips. Crazy huh, maybe we’re all brains in a box! But this does allow for a different kind of learning and thinking. Weird and exciting.

There is a really nasty new supply-chain vulnerability in ESP32 WiFi/Bluetooth chips, which are extremely common. Basically billions of machines are vulnerable due to undocumented/hidden code that was embedded in the chips. More or less nearly every device you own that has WiFi/Bluetooth is likely vulnerable. What kind of fucked up government would intentionally ship billions of vulnerable chips and why is it China? 👎️ This isn’t remotely exploitable (that we know of - yet) but would allow attackers to gain deep access and persistent access. And now you get a small hint of why I told the Germans that they need to focus on balkanization.

The DOJ is seriously forcing Google to divest Chrome as part of its crackdown on Big Tech monopolies. The argument is that Chrome is an “important search access point” and a major reason why Google dominates online search. If this actually happens, the internet as we know it could change dramatically. I am wary of whomever wants to buy it though - anyone who wants that much control over ads surely has some questionable ideas.

And in military tech, Leonidas, a direct energy EMP weapon designed to fry drone swarms out of the sky. Developed by Epirus, this system is meant to replace the outdated “one missile per drone” model, instead delivering an EW low-cost-per-shot solution against mass drone attacks. Given the way drones are dominating modern battlefields, this tech couldn’t come soon enough.

Okay, onto the articles!

An active-duty U.S. Army soldier and two others have been arrested for allegedly conspiring to steal and sell military secrets to individuals in China. The indictments include charges of obtaining classified information and documents related to U.S. military capabilities and readiness.

• Active-duty soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord have been indicted for attempting to transmit national defense information to China.

• The allegations involve the collection and sale of classified military documents and hard drives.

[RSnake: China has enough intel and money to buy up lots of assets in the US government.]

Source: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/03/07/lewis-mcchord-soldiers-accused-of-conspiring-steal-sell-military-secrets.html

Russia has launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, resulting in injuries and further depletion of critical services. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is scheduled to hold talks with U.S. officials to discuss measures for a potential ceasefire, with Turkish support for the initiative, while Russia maintains that targeting energy facilities is justified.

• Russia conducted a significant missile and drone attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

• Discussions for a potential ceasefire are underway between Ukraine, the U.S., and Turkey.

[RSnake: To be expected. Some people claim that there was collusion ahead of time and that there was no way Putin could have launched that attack that quickly after Trump pulled intel and access to US weapons. I don’t know if that is accurate but it’s interesting either way.]

Source: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/03/07/russia-bombards-ukraines-energy-grid-after-zelenskyy-says-his-team-will-hold-talks-us.html

Poland is initiating large-scale military training for all adult males in response to security threats, aiming to increase its army size significantly. The Polish government is also considering nuclear options and has ramped up defense spending, amassing substantial arms contracts with the United States and South Korea. Public anxiety in Poland regarding future security is rising, particularly amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

• Poland plans to require military training for all adult males to enhance national defense.

• The country is increasing defense spending and exploring nuclear weapons options in light of regional security concerns.

[RSnake: Good - they have been discussing that for a while. This is a good idea, but more broadly speaking it is a good idea too, not just for Eastern Europe. More on that here, including a military budget increase to 4% of GDP.]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy83r93l208o

A suspected terrorist extradited to the US following his capture in Afghanistan has made a court appearance, acknowledging federal charges and facing life in prison if convicted.

• Mohammad Sharifullah, an ISIS-K operative, was extradited to the US and faces charges for allegedly orchestrating the deadly Abbey Gate attack.

• Sharifullah allegedly admitted to involvement in multiple terror attacks, including the Kabul embassy bombing and a recent Moscow concert venue attack.

[RSnake: Sounds like a real gem.]

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/abbey-gate-terror-suspect-makes-1st-court-appearance/story?id=119486289

The United States has struggled to establish a new order in the region following its invasion of Iraq, leading to chaos, insecurity, and a humanitarian crisis. The administration's actions have been criticized for being driven by ideology rather than expertise. The consequences of these decisions are still felt today.

• The US invasion of Iraq led to a humanitarian crisis, with chaos, insecurity, and a lack of basic necessities like running water, security, and food supplies.

• The administration's actions have been criticized for being driven by ideology rather than expertise, leading to a multifront takeover of the US government.

[RSnake: Something similar happened the first administration, where he ended up with a lot of kind of random people who really weren’t that qualified. But Biden also had a random group too. I don’t think that is unusual exactly, except that perhaps expertise in the government is declining on the whole.]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/opinion/trump-musk-ukraine-iraq.html

The U.S. investment firm BlackRock is in negotiations to acquire ports surrounding the Panama Canal, a move that aligns with President Trump's desire to regain U.S. control over the strategic waterway. This $19 billion deal is seen as a significant shift in influence and is backed by high-level discussions within the U.S. government, with implications for U.S.-China relations in the region.

• BlackRock is acquiring control of ports near the Panama Canal to shift influence from China.

• The deal has received support from high-ranking U.S. government officials and aligns with Trump's America First policy.

[RSnake: That’s good news for the US - icing out the CCP in that region will add a lot more US power to the region.]

Source: https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/41324-fink-phoned-trump-directly-to-pitch-blackrocks-panama-deal

Florida has launched a criminal investigation into Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate, alleging they solicited, trafficked and preyed upon women worldwide, including minors.

• Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been accused of soliciting, trafficking and preying upon women around the world, including minors.

• The investigation is being led by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier's office, with a preliminary inquiry underway since last week.

Source: https://www.dailywire.com/news/florida-opens-criminal-investigation-into-tate-brothers

Iran's nuclear program is advancing, with a reported increase in its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which has raised alarm among international powers. The United States and the European Union have expressed deep concern over Iran's activities, suggesting they may be moving closer to the capability of developing nuclear weapons, while Iran denies these intentions and refuses to engage in discussions about its nuclear strategy.

• Iran unveiled a new ballistic missile named Khaibar with a range of 2,000 km.

• The U.S. asserts that Iran's nuclear program poses a significant threat to global peace.

• Iran's uranium stockpile has reached levels sufficient to potentially produce six nuclear bombs.

[RSnake: 2,000 km range and nuclear armed - there is one target, and Israel knows it.]

Source: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202503044346

US stock futures and currencies such as the Mexican Peso and Canadian Loonie saw rises following indications from the Trump administration about a potential tariff compromise amid ongoing trade tensions. President Trump has recently imposed tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, prompting retaliatory measures from those countries, which have created a backdrop of heightened uncertainty in global markets.

• US tariffs were imposed on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China.

• Retaliatory tariffs were enacted by Canada and Mexico, with China also responding with tariffs on US agricultural products.

[RSnake: The market is definitely reacting, and the US is down against the Euro. Devaluing the dollar means that it is cheaper for other countries to buy US products. So that is good, as long as we become a net exporter instead of importer.]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/china-canada-retaliate-against-trumps-tariff-war-global-stocks-slide

North Korean hackers are reportedly involved with the Qilin ransomware gang, as over 37,000 VMware ESXi servers are vulnerable to ongoing attacks. A critical vulnerability in the Edimax IC-7100 IP camera is being actively exploited by botnet malware, with U.S. authorities urging users to isolate affected devices.

• North Korean hackers have joined the Qilin ransomware gang.

• A critical command injection vulnerability in Edimax IC-7100 IP cameras is under active exploitation by botnets.

• Over 37,000 VMware ESXi servers are currently vulnerable to attacks.

[RSnake: That is a lot of virtual machines and cameras.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/unpatched-edimax-ip-camera-flaw-actively-exploited-in-botnet-attacks/

U.S. federal agents have linked a series of cyberheists, including a $150 million cryptocurrency theft, to attackers who allegedly exploited stolen master passwords from a password manager service breached in 2022. Investigations indicate that these breaches allowed hackers to access victims' accounts and steal large amounts of cryptocurrency, while some of the stolen funds have been partially recovered by authorities.

• U.S. federal investigations found that recent large-scale cryptocurrency thefts are connected to past breaches of a password manager.

• Authorities have seized a portion of the stolen cryptocurrency, indicating ongoing law enforcement efforts to recover illicitly obtained funds.

• Victims shared common vulnerabilities related to password management practices.

Source: https://krebsonsecurity.com/?p=70634

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged administrators of the Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex for allegedly facilitating money laundering related to criminal activities and for violating U.S. sanctions. Garantex has reportedly processed over $96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions since 2019, including funds linked to cybercrime organizations such as North Korea's Lazarus Group. In response to the indictment, Garantex has suspended its services and reported on attempts from scammers impersonating the exchange.

• The U.S. DOJ has charged Garantex administrators with money laundering and sanctions violations.

• Garantex has processed billions in transactions potentially linked to criminal organizations.

• The exchange has suspended services amid ongoing scrutiny and legal actions.

[RSnake: Sure, but extradition treaties aren’t going to fly until we get better relationships with Russia and the chances are this is likely a government sponsored gang.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=2977045

Chinese cyber-espionage group 'Silk Typhoon' has shifted its tactics to target remote management tools and cloud services, leading to breaches in multiple industries, including government and healthcare. The group now exploits unpatched applications and stolen credentials to compromise customer networks and move laterally within cloud environments.

• Silk Typhoon has shifted from organization-level breaches to targeting IT service providers for wider access.

• The group exploits critical vulnerabilities as zero-days, including the Ivanti Pulse Connect VPN flaw.

[RSnake: An as-of-yet unpublished report I saw claimed that you are 3x more likely to get compromised if you have an external facing admin console.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/silk-typhoon-hackers-now-target-it-supply-chains-to-breach-networks/

A new botnet named Eleven11bot has infected over 86,000 IoT devices for DDoS attacks, primarily targeting telecommunication service providers and online gaming servers.

• The botnet, composed of compromised webcams and NVRs, has grown rapidly to exceed 30,000 devices and is one of the largest DDoS botnets observed since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

• The malware is spread by brute-forcing weak or common admin user credentials, leveraging known default credentials for specific IoT models, and actively scanning networks for exposed Telnet and SSH ports.

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-eleven11bot-botnet-infects-86-000-devices-for-ddos-attacks/

Broadcom has addressed three critical zero-day vulnerabilities in VMware products that were actively exploited in attacks. These security flaws, which enable attackers with privileged access to escape from virtual machines and gain control over the hypervisor, pose significant risks to enterprises that rely on VMware to manage sensitive data.

• Three zero-day vulnerabilities affecting VMware products have been fixed.

• These vulnerabilities allow privileged attackers to escape virtual machines and access hypervisor controls.

• Active exploitation of these vulnerabilities has been observed.

[RSnake: That is a lot of attack surface hanging out there.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/broadcom-fixes-three-vmware-zero-days-exploited-in-attacks/

New vulnerabilities in Windows and routers are being actively exploited, with hackers able to gain root-level privileges and access unauthorized data. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has added these exploits to its list, warning U.S. federal agencies about the current threats. The vulnerabilities include a bug that allows hackers to bypass authentication on Cisco routers and a bug in Windows operating systems.

• Hackers can exploit CVE-2023-20118 to remotely execute arbitrary commands on certain VPN routers, gaining root-level privileges and access to unauthorized data.

• CVE-2018-8639 affects a broad swath of Windows operating systems, including older versions such as Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008.

[RSnake: Again, those external devices with admin consoles are the new playground for state actors.]

Source: https://mashable.com/article/cisa-windows-cisco-router-active-vulnerabilities

OpenAI is planning to introduce AI models designed for tasks typically requiring advanced expertise, with a reported pricing structure that includes a $20,000 monthly tier focused on high-level research assistance. These 'PhD-level' AI agents are posited to outperform existing models in academic and technical benchmarks, but skepticism remains regarding their practical effectiveness and reliability in critical research. Significant investment from companies like SoftBank indicates a strong business interest in these advancements despite the high costs associated with them.ty

• OpenAI may launch specialized AI agents priced at $20,000 monthly, targeting advanced research tasks.

• These AI models have demonstrated strong performance in various benchmarks, raising interest from businesses seeking advanced capabilities.

• Skepticism remains regarding the accuracy and reliability of these models for critical research applications.

[RSnake: These overpriced models are a bit of a gimmick as far as I have seen. Definitely not worth the price. Not even tempting. But it does show that they are moving away from consumer tech and focusing on a different market for the time being.]

Source: https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/03/what-does-phd-level-ai-mean-openais-rumored-20000-agent-plan-explained/

Meta has developed Strobelight, a profiling orchestration service that enhances efficiency across its server fleet by integrating various open-source technologies. Strobelight collects and analyzes performance data from numerous profilers, enabling engineers to identify and resolve resource bottlenecks, leading to significant server capacity savings.

• Strobelight combines multiple profiling technologies to improve server efficiency at Meta.

• Engineers can utilize Strobelight to identify performance bottlenecks and optimize code, resulting in significant resource savings.

[RSnake: That could be useful. Code monitoring code monitoring code.]

Source: https://engineering.fb.com/2025/01/21/production-engineering/strobelight-a-profiling-service-built-on-open-source-technology/

The U.S. military is investing in the GeneCapture program, which aims to develop a portable diagnostic tool capable of rapidly identifying pathogens within an hour at a significantly lower cost than conventional tests. As researchers focus on preparing for potential future pandemics, the technology could enhance medical capabilities and responses in military settings. Clinical trials are pending approval from the FDA, which is a key step before deployment.

• The GeneCapture program is being developed to provide rapid diagnosis of infections and pathogens on the battlefield.

• The technology is expected to improve preparedness for future pandemics and medical responses during military operations.

[RSnake: That’s a cool idea, but I’m not sure anything super portable would be good enough to do that. Feels a bit like Theranos’ idea.]

Source: https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2025/03/07/pentagon-investing-millions-in-battlefield-rapid-disease-detection/

SpaceX's Starship exploded during a test flight, resulting in space debris and grounding flights at Orlando International Airport. The rocket, which aimed to reach space and deploy mock satellites, lost contact shortly after launch and subsequently experienced a rapid disassembly. An investigation has been initiated, with the Federal Aviation Administration requiring SpaceX to investigate the incident.

• SpaceX's Starship explosion resulted in visible wreckage over Florida.

• Flights at Orlando International Airport were briefly grounded due to the debris.

• The incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.

[RSnake: He got a lot of flack for this. It’s not actually that big of a deal, these things happen when you are rapidly prototyping. The real issue is he is running out of time before the set horizon of the moon and Mars launches are planned. Things need to be very stable and reliable by then.]

Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91292952/spacexs-starship-explodes-again-wreckage-seen-florida

Global economies are increasingly shifting towards Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and stablecoins, with implications for the financial system.

• CBDCs and stablecoins could revolutionize the way we think about money and financial systems.

• The use of CBDCs and stablecoins may lead to increased financial inclusion, reduced transaction costs, and improved monetary policy options.

[RSnake: I will, at some point, write up something that explains how we got to where we are, and how commodities like Gold and non-Fiat backed crypto might actually be a good idea after all. It’s a long story, and probably best told in a different context, so I’ll leave that to another project for another day.]

Source: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/?p=828823

India's stock market is experiencing a significant downturn, with the benchmark Nifty 50 index facing its longest losing streak in 29 years, reflecting a $900 billion loss in investor value. This decline is compounded by economic challenges, stagnant wages, and a high inflation rate affecting the middle class, leading to increased anxiety among new investors who have entered the market in recent years. Many individuals are reconsidering their investment strategies as they confront unexpected losses and the possibility of a prolonged market correction.

• The Nifty 50 index has declined for five straight months, marking its longest losing streak in 29 years.

• The stock market downturn is impacting India's middle class, who are facing economic challenges and stagnant wages.

• New investors, drawn by previous market gains, are now grappling with unexpected losses.

[RSnake: Wow, good for India!]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz7vlezv05no

A Swedish company, EcoDataCenter, has raised $478 million in funding to expand its eco-friendly data centers that cater to the growing AI compute demand. The company aims to develop sustainable technologies while its facilities are already utilized by major clients like CoreWeave and BMW, reflecting a significant investment trend in the data center sector driven by the AI boom.

• EcoDataCenter raised $478 million to support the development of green data centers amid increasing AI traffic.

• The company's facilities are utilized by major clients, indicating a trend toward sustainable infrastructure in data management.

[RSnake: That’s a lot of capital, but the European rules and regs really do make this complicated for investors in AI if they house their software in Europe.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=2975437

The US economy added 151,000 jobs in February 2025, which was below the expected 170,000, and the unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.1%. Despite this, stock markets showed little concern, recovering some losses from earlier declines attributed to President Trump's tariff policies. Inflation pressures continue, with a notable rise in prices, impacting consumer confidence amid expectations of a potential recession.

• February job additions fell short of expectations, showing potential labor market weaknesses.

• Stock markets reacted positively despite economic uncertainties caused by tariffs and inflation.

[RSnake: I wonder how much of that were governmental layoffs, which is an odd thing to count, since they were a drain on taxpayers. Still, though, growing unemployment tends to make voters unhappy.]

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/disappointing-jobs-report-under-first-month-of-trump-term-is-this-warning-sign-for-us-economy/articleshow/118792871.cms

CMA CGM has launched its first methanol-powered ship, part of a $2 billion deal with Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, with plans to introduce 11 more similar vessels in the coming years. This initiative aims to contribute to the company's goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and to promote decarbonization in the shipping industry.

• CMA CGM's first dual-fuel methanol vessel has a capacity of 13,000 twenty-foot equivalent units.

• The launch is a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions in the shipping sector.

[RSnake: Interesting. I hadn’t heard of methanol being a viable fuel for boats. We have plenty of trees, and they are renewable, so maybe that’s where the idea stems from, despite the fact that it’s probably a very pricy fuel.]

Source: https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/41329-cma-cgm-debuts-its-first-methanol-powered-ship

The trucking industry is facing challenges related to inefficiency and labor costs as companies shift toward automation and artificial intelligence. By 2026, it's anticipated that many enterprises will have automated more than half of their network activities, allowing for improved decision-making and operational efficiency across the sector.

• The trucking industry is moving towards automation to address inefficiencies in operations.

• Artificial decision intelligence is being implemented to enhance decision-making and resource optimization.

[RSnake: The trucks too will have to be automated too.]

Source: https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/41173-using-artificial-decision-intelligence-to-tackle-operational-trucking-challenges

President Trump hosted a crypto summit at the White House with leaders from top U.S. cryptocurrency companies. This event marked a significant shift in federal policy towards the crypto industry, with the Securities and Exchange Commission easing regulations and dropping lawsuits against major exchanges.

• President Trump held a summit with top U.S. crypto executives, showcasing a shift in federal policy.

• The SEC has relaxed its stance, easing regulations and ceasing legal actions against major cryptocurrency firms.

[RSnake: I am curious how this strategy evolves. Are you HODL? 💎 ]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/technology/trump-crypto-summit.html