In the j/news recently

[FancyMancy]

• US Senate narrowly rejects bill requiring warrant for Americans’ browsing data
• Bill Gates is sending at-home coronavirus tests to Seattle residents
• FDA halts Bill Gates coronavirus testing programme
• Microsoft, Seattle Biotech Buying COVID-19 Patients' Blood
• Average adult will spend 34 years of their life looking at screens, claims study
• Fitbit plans to make emergency ventilators for Covid-19
• China urges US to Stop 'Unreasonable Suppression' of Huawei
• NASA lays down standards on how to explore the Moon
• Pentagon confirms development of hypersonic weapons
• Youtube takes down video from epidemiologist who denounced lockdown orders
• NASA scientists detect evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward
• Vice Media CEO slams Big Tech as ’great threat to journalism’
• Owner of lorry company spent emergency PPP loan on jewelry & a car
• Microsoft’s OpenAI supercomputer has 285,000 CPU cores, 10,000 GPUs
• This AI tool automatically identifies different types of brain injury

US Senate narrowly rejects bill requiring warrant for Americans’ browsing data

A bipartisan amendment that would have forced the government to first establish a probable cause or reasonable suspicion of a crime to obtain a warrant to access Americans' browsing data fell short by 1 vote in the Senate. Brought by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Steve Daines (R-MT), it sought a higher bar than the current law under the Patriot Act Section 215, permitting bulk collection of browsing records.

The US Senate voted to let the FBI access your browser history without a warrant
https://thenextweb.com/security/2020/05/14/the-us-senate-just-voted-to-let-the-fbi-access-your-browser-history-without-a-warrant

Now there's nothing stopping the PATRIOT Act allowing the FBI to slurp web-browsing histories without a warrant
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/05/13/us_spying_laws

Senate Rejects Bid to Prevent Warrantless Government Surveillance of Internet Use
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/warrantless-surveillance-fisa-senate_n_5ebc2bf4c5b6d76cb83cdffa

Senate rejects FISA amendment to bar warrantless surveillance of web browser history
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/senate-rejects-fisa-amendment-to-bar-warrantless-surveillance-of-web-browser-history-library-records
This link does work, but it redirects to a 404 page.

Senate privacy hawks score a win that delays surveillance renewal
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/13/senate-browsing-histories-fisa-254970

Decrypted: No warrants for web data, UK grid cyberattack, CyberArk buys Idaptive
https://techcrunch.com/2020/05/19/decrypted-no-warrants-for-web-data-uk-grid-cyberattack-cyberark-buys-idaptive



Bill Gates is sending at-home coronavirus tests to Seattle residents

Bill Gates said he is funding an at-home self-swab test for those who live in Seattle to uncover how the virus moves through communities. The billionaire philanthropist is working with the Seattle Coronavirus Assessment Network, or SCAN. The programme will test a sample of a diverse group of people and use the results to learn more about who is at a higher risk for coronavirus.

Bill Gates is sending at-home coronavirus tests to Seattle residents
https://bgr.com/2020/05/13/bill-gates-coronavirus-at-home-tests-scan

Bill Gates funds at-home test kits to learn how coronavirus spreads
https://www.cnet.com/news/bill-gates-funds-at-home-test-kits-to-understand-how-coronavirus-spreads

Bill Gates is funding an at-home coronavirus testing programme
https://www.digitaltrends.com/news/bill-gates-is-funding-an-at-home-coronavirus-testing-program-in-seattle



FDA halts Bill Gates coronavirus testing programme

FDA orders Bill Gates-funded program to HALT at-home Covid-19 self-testing
https://www.rt.com/usa/488589-gates-scan-coronavirus-testing-fda

FDA Stops Coronavirus Research Program Backed by Bill Gates
https://www.thedailybeast.com/fda-stops-coronavirus-research-program-backed-by-bill-gates-and-public-health-officials

F.D.A. Halts Coronavirus Testing Programme Backed by Bill Gates
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/15/us/coronavirus-testing-seattle-bill-gates.html



Microsoft, Seattle Biotech Buying COVID-19 Patients' Blood

Microsoft, Seattle Biotech Buying COVID-19 Patients' Blood, Volunteers 'in the Hundreds'
https://interestingengineering.com/microsoft-seattle-biotech-buying-covid-19-patients-blood-volunteers-in-the-hundreds
See also -
Creation of a Database containing GENETIC DATA of Italians approved by a decree-law
https://ancient-forums.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=41256



Average adult will spend 34 years of their life looking at screens, claims study

Researchers claim that over the span of one’s life, an average adult spends not years but decades gazing at their digital devices. As per a poll by Vision Direct conducted among 2000 British adults, the typical person will spend 34 years looking at phones, computers or TVs. During the typical adult lifespan (age 18-81), a person will be glued to their screens for over 13 hours per day.

Digital Overload: Average Adult Will Spend 34 Years of Their Life Staring at Screens
https://www.studyfinds.org/digital-overload-average-adult-will-spend-34-years-of-their-life-staring-at-screens

Average British adult spends the equivalent of 34 YEARS of their life staring at screens
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/1281579/screen-time-average-britain-study

Average adult will spend 34 years of their life looking at screens, poll claims
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/news/screen-time-average-lifetime-years-phone-laptop-tv-a9508751.html



Fitbit plans to make emergency ventilators for Covid-19

Fitbit is shifting its supply chain to make emergency-use ventilators, CEO James Park said. The company is submitting its technology to the FDA soon. A team started working on the ventilators after consulting with physicians, as per Park. Fitbit plans to build the vents to meet the level of demand, both in the US and in countries around the world.

Fitbit is reportedly planning to build ventilators to help treat COVID-19 patients
https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/15/21260593/fitbit-emergency-ventilators-covid-19-james-park

Fitbit is looking to make ventilators for COVID-19 patients
https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/fitbit-covid-19-ventilators

Fitbit hopes to make ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic
https://www.engadget.com/fitbit-ventilators-193604869.html

Fitbit plans to make emergency ventilators for Covid-19
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/15/fitbit-plans-to-make-emergency-ventilators-for-covid-19.html



China urges US to Stop 'Unreasonable Suppression' of Huawei

China asks United States to stop 'unreasonable suppression' of Huawei
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/16/china-asks-united-states-to-stop-unreasonable-suppression-of-huawei.html

China asks United States to stop 'unreasonable suppression' of Huawei
https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/china-asks-united-states-to-stop-unreasonable-suppression-of-huawei

China Tells US to Stop 'Unreasonable Suppression' of Huawei
https://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/china-tells-us-to-stop-unreasonable-suppression-of-huawei-2229985



NASA lays down standards on how to explore the Moon

NASA announced the creation of the Artemis Accords, a set of standards on how to explore the Moon. The agency hopes that other countries will agree to the terms. The laws lay out how humanity will act on the Moon, including how to mine resources from the surface and ways to protect heritage sites. NASA worked with the State Department and the National Space Council to come up with the guidelines.

NASA's Artemis Accords lay out some rules for joint space exploration
https://www.engadget.com/nasa-artemis-accords-202748982.html

NASA Releases Artemis Accords, Basic Principles for International Moon Exploration Pact
https://gadgets.ndtv.com/science/news/nasa-artemis-accords-basic-principles-international-moon-exploration-pact-china-russia-trump-2229724

NASA’s ‘Artemis Accords’ set forth new and old rules for outer space cooperation
https://techcrunch.com/2020/05/15/nasas-artemis-accords-set-forth-new-and-old-rules-for-outer-space-cooperation

NASA announces international Artemis Accords to standardise how to explore the Moon
https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/15/21259946/nasa-artemis-accords-lunar-exploration-moon-outer-space-treaty

"Laws" or "rules" or "principles", and "hopes" others will obey? I thought no-one "owned" the Moon, and America can't put itself ahead of everyone else, no matter how much it thinks it is more important than everyone else. "Interference" from other countries? So those aliens who have stations on the far side of the Moon are helping America choose the best locations, then?



Pentagon confirms development of hypersonic weapons

On Friday a Defense Department spokesman confirmed that the Pentagon is developing hypersonic weapons. The statement came close on the heels of a claim by President Trump around the existence of a "super duper missile". "You’ve heard Russia has five times and China’s working on five or six times, we have one 17 times" quicker, Trump touted.

Trump touts new 'super-duper' missile that can allegedly travel 17 times faster than current missiles
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/498148-trump-touts-new-super-duper-missile-that-can-allegedly-travel-17

Trump touts new 'super duper' missile but Pentagon won't confirm details
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/16/politics/trump-super-duper-missile/index.html

Trump Celebrates New Space Force Flag By Touting ‘Super Duper Missile’
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-space-force-flag_n_5ebf1645c5b67f9cbf83a8e7

Pentagon confirms development of hypersonic weapons after Trump talks up ‘super duper missiles’
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pentagon-confirms-development-of-hypersonic-weapons-after-trump-talks-up-super-duper-missiles

I bet old fart said "mistle" rather than "missile", though! Also - what does it reckon it is going to be a "force" in, as opposed to a service? What for?



Youtube takes down video from epidemiologist who denounced lockdown orders

Dr. Knut Wittkowski, former head of biostatistics & epidaemiology at Rockefeller University, claims Youtube removed a video of him talking about the virus which had more than 1.3 million views. Wittkowski has been a vocal critic of the nation’s current steps to fight COVID-19, deriding social distancing, advocating instead the coronavirus should be allowed to achieve ’herd immunity’.

Epidemiologist’s Video On Coronavirus ‘Herd Immunity’ Had 1.3 Million Views, Until YouTube Removed It
https://dailycaller.com/2020/05/16/knut-wittkowski-youtube-censorship-coronavirus-herd-immunity

YouTube removes viral video from epidemiologist who denounced strict lockdown orders
https://www.theblaze.com/news/youtube-removes-viral-video-from-epidemiologist-who-denounced-strict-lockdown-orders

YouTube censors epidemiologist Knut Wittkowski for opposing lockdown
https://nypost.com/2020/05/16/youtube-censors-epidemiologist-knut-wittkowski-for-opposing-lockdown



NASA scientists detect evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward
https://nypost.com/2020/05/19/nasa-finds-evidence-of-parallel-universe-where-time-runs-backward-report
Too much Star Trek. So they can't detect the actual "edge of the Universe" but they can detect past it to "other universes"? Riiiight. OK, then - but I'm sure there is a bullshit explanation, such as that every single other universe - all infinite number of them - occupy the exact same space as we do. I might cram more sardines on the outside of my tin.



Vice Media CEO slams Big Tech as ’great threat to journalism’
Vice Media is laying off about 155 employees globally as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to strain the media industry. CEO Nancy Dubuc, however, did not place the blame for this solely on the pandemic, but instead slammed the Big Tech companies for taking the lion’s share of digital advertising growth. In a memo announcing layoffs, Dubuc said "Big Tech" poses a "great threat to journalism".

Vice Media CEO slams Big Tech as 'great threat to journalism' in layoffs memo
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/15/vice-media-ceo-slams-big-tech-as-great-threat-to-journalism.html

Vice Media to lay off more than 150 employees
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/vice-media-to-lay-off-more-than-150-employees-2020-05-15-121032752

Vice Media CEO slams ‘Big Tech’ as ‘great threat to journalism’ amid cuts
https://nypost.com/2020/05/15/vice-media-reveals-more-layoffs-as-coronavirus-slams-digital-operations



Owner of lorry company spent emergency PPP loan on jewelry & a car

Reality star Arkansas Mo has allegedly used an emergency loan obtained under the federal government’s PPP to lease a car and buy jewelry in addition to making child support payments. Fayne, the sole owner of Flame Trucking in Georgia, received a $2 million bank loan of which he spend $1.5 million on unauthourised purchases. Fayne has been arrested and charged with bank fraud.

'Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta' star Arkansas Mo spent emergency loan on Rolls Royce, jewelry, authorities say
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/love-hip-hop-atlanta-arkansas-mo-emergency-loan-rolls-royce-jewelry

Maurice Fayne, 'Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta' star, arrested for fraud, federal officials say
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/13/us/maurice-fayne-arrest/index.html

Reality star allegedly spent $1.5 million from federal small business program on jewelry, Rolls-Royce
https://www.chron.com/news/article/Reality-star-allegedly-spent-1-5-million-from-15275375.php

I wonder why the bank refused to permit this loan, seeing that he looks the type & fits a description to do such a thing. Oh, noes - waysizum!



Microsoft’s OpenAI supercomputer has 285,000 CPU cores, 10,000 GPUs

Microsoft builds a supercomputer for OpenAI for training massive AI models
https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-builds-a-supercomputer-for-openai-for-training-massive-ai-models

Microsoft teamed up with OpenAI to build a massive AI supercomputer in Azure
https://techcrunch.com/2020/05/19/microsoft-says-it-teamed-up-with-openai-to-build-a-massive-ai-supercomputer-in-azure

Build 2020: Microsoft to unleash an AI supercomputer built on Azure
https://www.onmsft.com/news/build-2020-microsoft-to-unleash-an-ai-supercomputer-built-on-azure

Microsoft just built ‘one of the top five most powerful’ supercomputers on the planet
https://thenextweb.com/neural/2020/05/19/microsoft-just-built-one-of-the-top-five-most-powerful-supercomputers-on-the-planet

Microsoft's OpenAI supercomputer has 285,000 CPU cores, 10,000 GPUs
https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-openai-supercomputer-azure-150001119.html

Microsoft Announces ‘World’s Fifth Most Powerful’ Supercomputer in Partnership With OpenAI
https://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/microsoft-supercomputer-openai-large-ai-models-training-build-2020-2231660



This AI tool automatically identifies different types of brain injury

It could help develop personalised treatments for head injuries
https://thenextweb.com/neural/2020/05/18/this-ai-tool-automatically-identifies-different-types-of-brain-injury