RSnake Report 20250315

Hello, and thanks for reading! This week, I did a presentation for Qualys on the issues with CVSS and how it compares and contrasts with CISA KEV, as well as a little about EPSS. If you missed it, no worries, you can see the graphs here, including how Vulncheck KEV ties in. The short of it is that there is very little correlation between the KEVs, EPSS and CVSS. That makes sense since CVSS isn’t a measure of risk, but people still treat it like it is. For instance, look at the graph below. It’s a bit of an eye-chart but if EPSS and CVSS agreed you’d see a huge cluster along the red dashed line of agreement, but there is none at all.

Onto Ukraine/Russian news where the situation on the Ukrainian frontlines continues to shift rapidly. Ukrainian elite units have reportedly shattered Russian defenses in southern Toretsk, with the 8th Combined Arms Army “almost entirely eradicated” according to Russian sources. I’ll be honest, this does feel like a minor win given what has happened in the south, but Russia really does not want to leave any Russian territory in their hands.

In conflicting news, Ukrainian troops in Kursk are encircled, with official statements insisting that they’ve been maneuvering to more favorable positions. The battles there remain intense, and if Russia really has managed an encirclement, it would be one of their first major battlefield successes in that region, but there is a fog of war here that is difficult to peer through.

Elon Musk did clarify that he wasn’t making threats and acknowledged Starlink’s importance to Ukrainian military communications. He insists that Starlink will never be turned off in Ukraine. He pointed out that, without it, Ukrainian communications would collapse because Russian forces can jam every other alternative. Ukrainian drone commander Robert Brovdi revealed that 90% of inflicted damage in this war now comes from drones. It’s a complete doctrinal shift.

Washington has restarted military aid to Ukraine. Congressman Waltz confirmed that the Biden administration has lifted its pause on security assistance, and the resupply is back on. It does beg the question what the strategy was there, other than showing Ukraine we aren’t bluffing about our willingness to do hard negotiations.

Ukraine isn’t waiting around for handouts, though. A major drone assault hit Moscow overnight, the most significant since September 2024, when over 140 drones flooded the city’s airspace. Also, chemical warehouses in the suburbs also went up in flames. It baffles the mind that the capital of a former superpower cannot protect itself.

And then there was the ceasefire—almost. The Trump team negotiated a 30-day ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, and some were already polishing the Nobel Peace Prize. The only problem? Russia flat-out rejected it. Putin’s office called it nothing more than an attempt to buy time for Ukraine’s troops, making it clear that Moscow is looking for a victory of some sort.

In response to the battlefield shifts, Russia is resorting to sheer brute force. A massive 3-ton bomb was dropped on a Ukrainian stronghold in Kursk. When you see what three tons can do, and when you also look at the thermobaric carpet bombing being done, it is clear, that Russia isn’t interested in surgical strikes. This really is just eradicating every living thing.

Meanwhile, something curious happened in Moscow—right after a US special representative arrived, a major fire broke out at CHP-16, a power station. Coincidence? Maybe. But given recent events, let’s just say Moscow has had a particularly bad week.

Ukraine’s drone war didn’t stop at the capital either. A Ukrainian drone strike hit a Gazprom facility responsible for transporting hundreds of millions of cubic meters of gas daily. And if that wasn’t enough, another oil refinery in Tuapse was set ablaze, continuing Ukraine’s systematic dismantling of Russia’s energy infrastructure.

On the innovation front, Ukraine has taken another step forward in self-sufficiency. The company "Viry" has produced its first 1,000 FPV drones using 100% Ukrainian-made components—including thermal cameras. That’s a huge milestone for a country that has had to rely heavily on Western imports. And it doesn’t stop there—Ukraine has officially deployed a new 1,000km range Neptune cruise missile, nearly doubling the reach of the Franco-British Storm Shadow. President Zelensky confirmed that the "Long Neptune" has already completed combat missions.

And finally, Ukrainian forces delivered a spectacular fireworks show in Belgorod. A precision drone strike reportedly took out a missile stockpile for Russia’s S-300 and S-400 air defense systems, causing a massive detonation. It almost looks like a movie explosion. Crazy picture!

In European News, Germany is stepping up in the defense game as a financial backer for Ukraine and a direct supplier of cutting-edge weaponry. Enter the Helsing HX-2 drone, an AI-supported targeting drone co-developed by a German defense startup and Ukrainian engineers. If Berlin had been hesitant about getting its hands dirty in the early days of the war, that ship would have long since sailed.

Berlin has also inked a deal with Diehl to triple the supply of IRIS-T SLM/SLS surface-to-air missiles and launchers to Ukraine. The agreement significantly accelerates Germany’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses. With Russia’s increasingly desperate missile barrages, Kyiv can use every air defense system it can get.

Meanwhile, France is shifting into full wartime production mode, announcing a massive acceleration in its output of Rafale fighters, AASMs, anti-tank missiles, and drones. French Minister of Defense Sébastien Lecornu confirmed that the government is working with private industry to ramp up production, pushing civilian-military partnerships to meet demand. In short: the European defense industry is rapidly mobilizing, and Moscow’s problems are only growing. I heard something similar when talking with the Consulate General at the German Consulate - they believe the US is no longer coming, and a France and German allegiance is the future. Rheinmetall and SAAB stocks are through the roof, understandably.

Onto South East Asian news where China is making quiet but unmistakable moves in preparation for a potential Taiwan invasion. A new fleet of specialized amphibious landing barges was unveiled. Reports suggest they are tailor-made for delivering troops and heavy equipment directly onto Taiwan’s beaches. These are easy targets so I would expect prior softening of coastal defense before they were deployed.

Employees at DeepSeek, an AI company with growing global influence due to their “thinking” model, have reportedly been forced to hand over their passports so they can’t leave the country. The move reeks of desperation. The US is kicking people out and China won’t let you leave. That is interesting, and it also just makes it that much less likely they will get the talent they need if helping China’s AI endeavors locks you into the mainland for the rest of your life.

A J-15 carrier-based fighter crashed during training over Hainan Island. The pilot ejected and was rescued, but in typical CCP fashion, videos and photos of the incident disappeared from Chinese social media faster than a dissident blogger. Considering the J-15’s track record of engine failures and structural issues, this wasn’t exactly a shocker. But it is rare to see these failures, even if they are common, due to the censorship regime.

In North American news, the U.S.-flagged tanker M/T Stena Immaculate was lost after a collision off the U.K. coast, and this wasn’t just any tanker. It was one of ten in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Tanker Security Program, responsible for delivering jet fuel to American military forces. In other words, a crucial piece of U.S. logistics just went up in flames, and the captain of the other ship? Russian. Obviously. The crew is in custody, but that is not exactly a big slap on the wrist for the Kremlin.

Meanwhile, Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney made it clear that tariffs on U.S. goods are staying put until the White House starts playing nice. But before Canadians get too cozy with their new PM, some rather unfortunate photos have surfaced. Carney was snapped at an elite gathering with none other than Jeffrey Epstein’s madame, Ghislaine Maxwell. And not just any gathering, this was at his sister-in-law’s estate, a known hotspot for the world’s less-than-squeaky-clean elites. I’m not saying there is dirt there, but…

As if things weren’t already tense, Ontario Premier Doug Ford decided to escalate things by threatening to cut off power to the U.S. over trade disputes. Ford didn’t mince words, squarely blaming Trump and declaring that he will do “whatever it takes” to protect Ontario. Of course he walked back those threats almost immediately, so there wasn’t much to say about his convictions. It did, however, get him meetings in the US, likely because it now appears he is a man who can be dealt with or bullied anyway.

There was some controversy over at USAID, where staff were reportedly instructed to destroy sensitive documents at the agency’s now-former headquarters. The all-day shredding event raises all sorts of uncomfortable questions. There may be a valid reason for wanting to destroy docs before shutting down the office so they don’t fall into the wrong hands. Was it simply personnel PII or something more?

On the military tech front, Mach Industries just unveiled drone swarms that look like falling bats - it’s hard to explain. Footage showcases highly coordinated and likely very difficult to hit swarms. And if that wasn’t enough, they also demonstrated balloon-dropped drones. The future of surface warfare might be about low-cost methods of hanging high over a battle-space and reducing the cost and time to intercept.

For those of you who still have PTSD from 2008, it looks like another subprime mortgage crisis might be brewing. The last time we saw trends like this, banks were “too big to fail,” and everyday Americans were left holding the bag. 64+% of borrowers have a debt to income ratio of >43%. That means defaults are likely coming again.

Lastly, in Tech news, X suffered a massive cyberattack, and it wasn’t your average hacker group. Elon Musk himself confirmed that this was a highly coordinated assault, possibly involving a nation-state. A pro-Palestine group has taken credit, but it originated from Ukrainian IP space. 🤷‍♂️ 

A startup just unveiled “Zippy,” a robotic chef trained on millions of Michelin-star recipes. Zippy can cook at a professional level, learn new dishes from a single demonstration, and integrate seamlessly into commercial kitchens. It does seem silly to some degree and a lot of upfront cost, but when something needs to be made the same way thousands and thousands of times in a row, it actually could reduce churn/cost and errors in commercial kitchens.

Lastly, there is still some perception that AI can’t do artwork, or that there is something sacred or unique about art. Nope. New printing technology can replicate classic works down to the microscopic brushstroke level, meaning, for all practical purposes, forged masterpieces could be indistinguishable from the real thing. The only question is if the paintings are uniquely interesting. There is a fallacy that consumers carefully distinguish the artist from the art, and I think that idea is quickly being proven disastrously wrong. People only care about how they feel once they experience the art, no matter who, or what, made it.

Okay, onto the articles!

The United States is reassessing its military strategy, focusing on reducing overseas commitments and reallocating resources towards domestic needs and security. Polls indicate a significant preference among Americans for prioritizing homeland defense over foreign military engagements, as the financial and human costs of past conflicts have become unsustainable. The need for diplomatic efforts and economic resilience is being emphasized to better secure U.S. interests in a changing global landscape.

• The U.S. has spent $8 trillion on conflicts since 9/11, leading to significant financial and human costs.

• A shift towards diplomacy and domestic security is being prioritized over prolonged military engagements abroad.

[RSnake: I keep telling my friends, we are withdrawing back to the pre-WWII paradigm of isolationism. The only difference is we still have too many entanglements elsewhere in the world that we need to get in control of supply-chain-wise. Either bring it home or secure it with boats, jets, drones, and missiles.]

Source: https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2025/03/14/getting_out_of_forever_wars_1097553.html

Iran is employing technology including drones and mobile apps to enforce strict dress codes for women, leading to severe punishments for non-compliance. A recent UN report details systematic discrimination, state-sponsored vigilantism, and human rights violations within the country, alongside a troubling trend of extrajudicial executions and sexual violence in custody.

• Iran utilizes technology such as drones and facial recognition to enforce hijab laws.

• The UN report reveals severe human rights abuses, including torture and extrajudicial killings.

[RSnake: Well, there is an ugly use of technology, right there.]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0kg15jkpdeo

The Trump administration is considering targeting the citizens of as many as 43 countries with a new travel ban to the United States, which would be broader than previous restrictions.

• The draft list proposes three tiers of countries: "red" (11 countries), "orange" (10 countries), and "yellow" (22 countries) with varying levels of travel restrictions.

• Some countries on the list may be removed or modified in final negotiations with the White House.

[RSnake: That is certainly one way to curb the number of immigrants. The problem is it is fairly indiscriminate. There are many awesome people living in other countries that can contribute a lot to tech/GDP, etc. I do hope we get a bit smarter about this policy.]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/us/politics/trump-travel-ban.html

Vladimir Putin is not considering a ceasefire in Ukraine and is likely to prolong the conflict while maintaining Moscow's strategic goals of seizing control over Ukraine. Recent assessments indicate that the Kremlin is unwilling to engage in genuine peace negotiations and continues to seek military advantages.

• Putin's government seeks to prolong the war in Ukraine and is likely to reject any ceasefire proposals.

• US intelligence suggests Putin remains committed to his expansionist goals regarding Ukraine.

• Military activities continue with both Ukrainian and Russian forces making limited advancements in various regions.

[RSnake: This is hyperbolic. I am certain Putin is considering it, but not with how things are currently going, and with any hope his generals are giving him that they are making real progress.]

Source: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/03/15/7503010/

Turkey has reportedly amassed a significant number of militants and foreign jihadists, potentially leveraging these groups to influence geopolitical negotiations in Syria and beyond. The Turkish intelligence agency, MİT, has transformed its role from domestic security into a key player in shaping foreign policy, supporting proxy conflicts and fostering regional instability while asserting its military capabilities on a global scale.

• Turkey's intelligence agency has created clandestine cells of militants to pursue its foreign policy goals.

• The involvement of these groups poses a potential threat to global stability and security, as they may return to their home countries trained in combat and sabotage.

[RSnake: They are certainly on the front lines with what is happening in Syria and especially Northern Syria. I do hope they can find a way to carve out some space for the Kurds and get to peace.]

Source: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/?p=232517

China has developed an advanced infrared AI technology capable of surpassing human pilots in aerial combat. This innovation could significantly alter military dynamics, leaving traditional fighter jets like the U.S. F-15 at a disadvantage and escalating the arms race between world powers, particularly in the realm of military AI and aviation technology.

• China's infrared AI technology can predict and counter human pilot maneuvers, making advanced fighter jets vulnerable.

• The U.S. is investing heavily in AI for military applications to maintain its strategic advantage in aerial warfare.

[RSnake: We also have this tech. The AI won every single dogfight with human adversaries until they intentionally hobbled the AI.]

Source: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/?p=232318

Rodrigo Duterte, the former President of the Philippines, has been arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug crackdown that allegedly resulted in thousands of deaths. He is the first former Asian head of state to face the ICC, and his case has drawn international attention with various global responses, including criticism from China regarding the ICC's actions.

• Duterte faces allegations for overseeing a brutal anti-drug campaign resulting in thousands of deaths during his presidency.

• His arrest by the ICC may impact international perceptions of justice and accountability for leaders accused of human rights violations.

[RSnake: Interesting, he did a lot to clean up the country. But at the same time there was a lot of awful things that happened as a result.]

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/13/duterte-takes-responsibility-for-philippines-drug-war-in-video-message?traffic_source=rss

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the M23 rebel group has recently captured key cities and is advancing towards the capital, Kinshasa, while being supported by Rwandan troops. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with thousands killed this year, and has raised fears of a broader regional war as Ugandan forces also engage in the DRC. The ongoing struggle is deeply rooted in historical grievances involving resource exploitation and complex ethnic tensions, leading to widespread humanitarian crises.

• M23 rebels have captured key cities and are advancing towards Kinshasa with Rwandan support.

• The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and raised fears of a broader regional war with the involvement of Uganda.

• The situation is complicated by historical grievances, resource exploitation, and ethnic tensions.

[RSnake: The more I look at these groups the more I think there is nothing to be done. Not to say that one side isn’t slightly better than the other here and there, but it’s not like there are just one or two or ten different groups. Some times there are well more than 100 different competing groups. There’s no mediating that.]

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/13/people-need-a-break-drc-conflict-reignites-dark-memories-of-congo-wars?traffic_source=rss

A large-scale phishing campaign targeting Coinbase users has emerged, involving emails claiming a mandatory transition to self-custodial wallets. The emails instruct recipients to set up new wallets using pre-generated recovery phrases controlled by attackers, enabling them to steal cryptocurrency. Additionally, CISA reports that a ransomware known as Medusa has affected over 300 critical infrastructure organizations.

• A phishing attack impersonating Coinbase instructs users to set up wallets with controlled recovery phrases.

• Over 300 critical infrastructure organizations have been targeted by Medusa ransomware.

[RSnake: Phishing, and the human element in general, will always be a fatal flaw in systems like this.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/coinbase-phishing-email-tricks-users-with-fake-wallet-migration/

Microsoft has experienced a week-long Exchange Online outage, causing email failures and delays, and a ClickFix attack that delivered infostealers and RATs in fake Booking.com emails.

• A recent service update introduced a code issue that resulted in impact for a portion of service infrastructure, causing email delivery failures and delays.

• The outage is limited to a small subset of messages that trigger NDR failures and intermittent plain text calendar invite emails with winmail.dat attachments.

[RSnake: Yeah, I was effected by this as well. So if I owe you an email, let me know. Lol]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/week-long-exchange-online-outage-causes-email-failures-delays/

A violent splinter group known as 'No Lives Matter' has emerged from an extremist crime network, engaging in real-world violence while evading efforts by international law enforcement to contain their activities. The group is linked to a range of violent crimes in North America and Europe, with members inspired by a distorted amalgamation of ideologies and driven by online notoriety from horrific acts. Authorities are facing challenges in combating the group's spread due to its lack of a coherent structure, as violent behaviors transition from online activities to real-life attacks, alarming government officials and extremism researchers alike.

• No Lives Matter is a violent splinter group connected to a broader extremist crime network, involved in multiple attacks.

• The group releases guides for violence and has been tied to various violent incidents across Europe and North America.

[RSnake: Clever name for a bunch of nihilists.]

Source: https://www.wired.com/story/no-lives-matter-764-violence/

A popular GitHub Action has been compromised with a payload that appears to attempt to dump secrets, impacting thousands of CI pipelines.

• Users can remove the compromised action from their repositories and update their workflows to use safer alternatives.

• Semgrep is a security tool that helps organizations shift left security without introducing friction, and it has released a rule to find usages of the compromised action.

[RSnake: I saw some X.com people saying that if you take pictures of your github .env file it will blur it out when you post it to X. It does not. Don’t fall for this stuff.]

Source: https://semgrep.dev/blog/2025/popular-github-action-tj-actionschanged-files-is-compromised/

CISA has added a significant Apple Webkit vulnerability, CVE-2025-24201, to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog following an Apple fix. This vulnerability posed a risk to multiple Apple products and was reportedly used in a sophisticated attack targeting specific individuals. Apple issued emergency patches to address the flaw, which allows potential attacker escape from the Apple sandbox.

• CISA has recognized a critical vulnerability in Apple software affecting multiple devices.

• Apple has released emergency fixes for a vulnerability involved in targeted attacks.

[RSnake: At some point I’ll go into how things get onto KEV - I wish it were a good story that would make you feel good, since it is how the government decides the importance of fixing issues. It is not a good story.]

Source: https://www.vulnu.com/p/cisa-adds-apple-cve-2025-24201-to-kev-catalog

Governments in the UK, France, Sweden, and the EU are implementing measures that could diminish end-to-end encryption, posing potential risks to user privacy and security. This follows longstanding tensions between privacy advocates and law enforcement over the need for access to encrypted communications to combat crime and terrorism. Additionally, ongoing debates about technologies for scanning encrypted messages raise concerns over their implications for personal data security.

• Governments are considering technical measures to undermine or eliminate encryption protections.

• Privacy advocates warn that creating backdoors or client-side scanning would pose significant risks to user security.

[RSnake: Yet another reason talent will start to egress out of that region. Anyone who takes privacy and security seriously cannot live in situations like this. Honestly, this will be one of the bigger areas, this and censorship, and GDPR, that makes the EU and US unable to be aligned. When something is illegal in one country and not in the other it drives balkanization.]

Source: https://www.wired.com/story/a-new-era-of-attacks-on-encryption-is-starting-to-heat-up/

The FBI is investigating a rise in swatting incidents targeting conservative influencers, where false emergency calls are made to provoke armed police responses. Several individuals have reported being swatted multiple times, leading to dangerous situations for them and their families, prompting law enforcement to act against this trend.

• The FBI is investigating an increase in swatting incidents directed at conservative media figures.

• Victims report dangerous and traumatic experiences, with law enforcement responding to false claims of violence.

[RSnake: Not surprising - the radical progressive was never about love and tolerance. It was all about power re-distribution.]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/fbi-investigating-alarming-rise-swatting-incidents-targeting-conservative-influencers

AeroVironment has received a contract from the Defense Innovation Unit to develop and deploy autonomous precision munitions under Project Artemis, aimed at enhancing military capabilities. This initiative focuses on creating long-range, one-way uncrewed aircraft systems that can operate in challenging environments, addressing urgent military needs.

• AeroVironment secures a contract for next-generation autonomous precision munitions.

• Project Artemis aims to rapidly test long-range, one-way uncrewed aircraft systems for military use.

• The initiative is part of a strategic push to maintain U.S. and allied military advantages.

[RSnake: One way… also known as suicide drones.]

Source: https://thereadable.co/avs-cutting-edge-one-way-attack-uas-secures-diu-backing-under-project-artemis/

Data creation is booming with more data generated in the next three years than in the rest of human history, driven by AI and other technologies.

• Global data has reached 101 zettabytes as of 2022, more than double the 41 zettabytes from 2019.

• The global AI market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 36.6% from 2024 to 2030.

[RSnake: Uh… sorta… this will largely be synthetic data. It is what I also call incestuous data, which will create the “great middling” of data where everything is a copy of a copy of a copy. ]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/visualizing-all-worlds-data

A strategic alliance has been formed between DDN, Mistral AI, and Fluidstack to enhance enterprise AI by providing a powerful infrastructure for deploying large language models. This partnership aims to deliver scalable, cost-effective, and efficient AI solutions to enterprises, governments, and cloud providers, ultimately accelerating innovation and maximizing business impact.

• A new partnership aims to simplify AI infrastructure deployment for enterprises.

• The collaboration focuses on delivering high-performance AI solutions that improve scalability and reduce costs.

[RSnake: I’m not saying these guys won’t be it, but there will be a ton of competition for deployment of LLMs, especially for local models, coming up soon.]

Source: https://thereadable.co/ddn-and-fluidstack-join-forces-with-mistral-ai-to-accelerate-enterprise-ai/

SpaceX launches rocket with crew to relieve stranded astronauts, bringing them back home after extended stay due to technical issues with experimental spacecraft Starliner.

• Boeing Starliner astronauts were left in space due to technical issues with the spacecraft.

• NASA decided it was better to bring the astronauts back on SpaceX's Dragon capsule instead of Starliner.

[RSnake: I was assured they weren’t stranded. Lol]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8y62jrwgwo

Google has officially phased out the Google Assistant, transitioning most Android devices to its new AI, Gemini. This change affects a wide range of devices, while specific older models with limited RAM will not be updated. The new system aims to create a more conversational and interactive user experience across various technologies.

• Google Assistant is being replaced by Gemini across most Android devices.

• Gemini aims to enhance user interaction through a more conversational AI design.

[RSnake: Sucks to be on older devices. That said, while I am sure the search assistant is decent, it also phones home every request to Google.]

Source: https://gizmodo.com/?p=2000576352

The US software development job market has experienced a dramatic swing from a surge in hiring in 2021 and 2022 to widespread layoffs and hiring freezes in 2023 due to economic headwinds, with job listings now at their lowest in five years.

• The US software development job market has seen a decline in job postings since February 2020, with a peak of 92.90% growth in November 2021 and a current decline of over 33% from 2020 levels.

• The decline in software development job postings is attributed to economic uncertainty, widespread layoffs, and a shift in focus by tech companies toward efficiency rather than expansion.

[RSnake: Yep, it is an awful macro economic situation in many ways.]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/learn-code-visualizing-decline-american-software-developer-jobs

NASA launched the Spherex space telescope to map the entire sky and study millions of galaxies, aiming to observe the cosmic glow from the earliest galaxies after the Big Bang. Additionally, four satellites designed to examine the sun's corona were sent into orbit as part of the same mission. This significant advancement in astrophysics may provide new insights into the origins of the universe and the processes that formed solar systems.

• NASA's Spherex telescope will take six months to map the entire sky using infrared detectors.

• The mission aims to analyze the collective glow from galaxies to understand their formation and the aftermath of the Big Bang.

[RSnake: By doing four passes, they’ll be able to see things that are visibly moving too, which might be interesting.]

Source: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/03/12/nasas-newest-space-telescope-blasts-off-map-entire-sky-and-millions-of-galaxies.html

JPMorgan Chase ends political debanking policy change with a new rule protecting customers from discrimination based on religious or political views, after years of public pressure and engagement with shareholders.

• JPMorgan Chase ends its social risk policy, which allowed vague terms like intolerance and hate to determine whether a customer was fit to continue doing business at Chase.

• The company has agreed to explicitly protect customers and employees from discrimination based on religious or political views, after public pressure from groups such as ADF & Bowyer Research.

[RSnake: More information here. Meanwhile Capital one de-banked 300 different pro-Trump organizations according to a lawsuit.]

Source: https://www.dailywire.com/news/major-win-jpmorgan-chase-ends-political-debanking

The U.S. economy is showing signs of distress with high levels of debt, rising inflation, and significant budget deficits. Many Americans are struggling financially, indicated by their reliance on multiple jobs to meet basic needs, while inflationary pressures continue to rise, causing consumer expectations of future inflation to be at a high level not seen since the early 1980s. Experts warn that the current economic situation may lead to stagflation, combining recession and inflation, if not addressed by policymakers.

• High levels of national debt and inflation are troubling many Americans.

• The potential for stagflation is increasing as economic pressures mount.

[RSnake: It would be great to get some debt relief, but I don’t see how the US does that in the middle of austerity measures and huge debt payments to foreign creditors.]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/schiff-its-time-economic-reckoning

Tesla has warned the Trump administration that potential retaliatory tariffs from a trade war could negatively impact US electric vehicle manufacturers. The company has suggested implementing trade measures in a phased manner to allow for better preparation and compliance within the industry.

• Tesla cautions that retaliatory tariffs may harm US automotive companies.

• The company recommends a phased approach to trade measures for better industry preparation.

[RSnake: Especially with people burning and defacing Teslas. So you can’t buy foreign due to the cost and you can’t buy domestic because radical progressives will deface it with a Buddhist manji instead of a Swastika, just showing their ignorance. 🙄 The environmentalists are notably quiet, I’ve noticed.]

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/tesla-warns-trump-administration-that-trade-war-could-harm-us-ev-companies-consider-the-downstream-impacts/articleshow/119034232.cms

Pharmaceutical and life sciences companies are increasingly prioritizing track-and-trace technology to ensure the integrity and safety of temperature-sensitive products during transit. This technology provides real-time visibility, enhances customer satisfaction through accurate deliveries, meets regulatory compliance requirements, and improves supply chain efficiency amid a fragmented logistics network.

• Track-and-trace technology is crucial for reducing damage to temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products during transit.

• The adoption of this technology enhances real-time visibility, customer satisfaction, and compliance with regulatory standards.

[RSnake: As it should be - especially with medical fluids and tech that are perishable.]

Source: https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/41231-why-pharma-companies-must-prioritize-track-and-trace-tech-in-2025

Swedish fintech company Klarna has taken steps toward its U.S. IPO, aiming to raise at least $1 billion at a $15 billion valuation. The company reported significant revenue growth and a net profit for 2024, contrasting its previous year's loss, and has been implementing its own AI systems to reduce operational costs.

• Klarna is pursuing an IPO to raise at least $1 billion.

• The company reported a profit for 2024 after incurring losses in the previous year.

[RSnake: You buying Klarna? We haven’t seen many blockbuster IPOs this year, so it’s about time we do.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=2980677

iRobot has reported a significant decline in revenue, with a 44 percent drop compared to the previous year, leading to concerns about its financial viability. The company's stock has plummeted nearly 25 percent following the news, and iRobot's future hinges on the success of new product launches amidst a challenging economic landscape and regulatory hurdles. Additionally, a previously planned acquisition deal with Amazon was terminated due to antitrust issues, further complicating iRobot's position.

• iRobot's revenue has fallen by 44 percent compared to last year.

• The company's stock has dropped nearly 25 percent following the financial report.

• Recent restructuring efforts have included significant staff cuts and a product overhaul.

[RSnake: I have never thought they were on the cutting edge. I wouldn’t be surprised if competitors are eating their lunch with equivalent products. When our non-networked Roomba broke we didn’t replace it.]

Source: https://mashable.com/article/irobot-roomba-shut-down-financial

The U.S. spirits industry is facing significant challenges as new tariffs imposed by the European Union and retaliatory measures from the U.S. threaten export markets for American whiskey. Producers are re-evaluating their export strategies, with some considering a shift to focus more on domestic sales due to uncertainty and potential price increases for consumers.

• New tariffs on American whiskey by the EU are prompting U.S. distillers to reconsider their export strategies.

• The trade tensions have substantial implications for pricing and choices available to consumers in the liquor market.

[RSnake: I only buy American Whiskey. 😃 ]

Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91298140/can-americas-whiskey-industry-survive-the-latest-round-of-tariffs

Dollar General plans to close 141 stores, including 96 Dollar General locations and 45 pOpshelf stores, in response to underperforming sales and changing market conditions. This move is part of a trend in the retail sector, where high-profile chains are shuttering locations as consumers cut discretionary spending and shift to online shopping amidst economic pressures.

• Dollar General is closing 141 stores due to poor performance and market evaluation.

• The retail industry is experiencing a wave of store closures as consumers increasingly favor online shopping.

[RSnake: Wow, that is going to hurt a lot of the poor, who rely on these low-cost outlets for most of their goods. Hopefully others, like Walmart can make up the difference for those people.]

Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91298441/dollar-general-stores-closing-2025-list-of-locations-popshelf-retail

Stock markets are experiencing significant volatility, with many investors facing substantial losses. Economic uncertainties are heightened by potential trade tensions, particularly between the U.S. and other nations such as China, Mexico, and Canada, which may result in a recession. In addition, trends indicate a growing concern among consumers about spending amid fears of economic downturns, affecting key stock market sectors.

• Many investors are reevaluating their financial strategies due to recent stock market losses.

• Economic uncertainty is fueled by trade tensions and signs of consumer caution impacting market performance.

[RSnake: Yeah it was a rough week, but remember, if you don’t sell when the market is down you don’t realize the loss. I have weathered some nasty downturns with a few stocks that eventually rebounded and even made me money. As long as I never sell the dip, there’s no loss. That all assumes the stock doesn’t go to zero though. 😆]

Source: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/its-been-a-scary-ride-my-family-has-800-000-in-stocks-we-lost-2-years-of-market-gains-in-a-few-weeks-do-we-sell-or-buy-0ede181c?mod=mw_rss_topstories

A majority of Americans disapprove of Trump's management of the economy amidst stock market turmoil and fears of a recession, according to recent polls. Trump's economic policies have led to significant market losses, with tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum imports resulting in retaliatory measures from Canada and the EU. Support for his immigration policies remains relatively high despite economic dissatisfaction.

• 56 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump's economic management.

• The S&P 500 has lost over $3 trillion since February due to market reactions to Trump's tariffs.

[RSnake: It’s a CNN poll that they used, and CNN also called Kamala as winning the election. So…. That said, many Americans are indeed suffering.]

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025/3/13/us-public-souring-on-trumps-handling-of-economy-polls-show?traffic_source=rss

The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) have finalized a six-year master contract that addresses wages and automation at East and Gulf Coast ports. This agreement protects union jobs and includes provisions for wage increases, improved healthcare, and the introduction of new technologies in port operations.

• ILA and USMX signed a six-year contract ending disputes over wages and automation.

• The contract includes protections against automation and improved working conditions for union members.

[RSnake: That is good news, and hopefully keeps both sides happy for a while.]

Source: https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/41354-ila-and-usmx-officially-seal-six-year-port-contract

Intel has appointed Lip-Bu Tan as its new CEO amid efforts to revitalize the company's struggling semiconductor business, which has seen a significant decline in market share and stock price. The company's challenges, including a failure to innovate and a drop in share price, have raised alarm within the U.S. government, particularly as Intel holds a crucial role in the country's semiconductor manufacturing landscape following federal funding under the CHIPS Act.

• Lip-Bu Tan is appointed as new CEO of Intel to address turnaround efforts in the semiconductor sector.

• Intel is facing significant business challenges, including job cuts and a steep decline in share price.

• The U.S. government is concerned about Intel's ability to complete federally funded manufacturing projects.

[RSnake: He is Malaysian but came from a Malaysian-Chinese family and his family ran a Malaysian-Chinese newspaper. So it’s not clear where his allegiances are.]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/12/technology/intel-new-ceo-tan.html