#Crackdown 3 release date

[thoughtportal]

In 1915, Marcel Duchamp bought a snow shovel at a hardware store in New York City. He inscribed his signature and the date on its wooden handle. On the evening this episode is released, the fourth version of this classic “ready-made,” which he titled “In Advance of the Broken Arm,” will be auctioned off at Christie’s during their 20th Century Evening Sale. It’s estimated to sell for $2 million to $3 million.

How could a simple snow shovel be valued at such a steep price? Was  Duchamp an unmatched genius, or a product of some of the biggest museums’ dirtiest little secrets: the results of pure, unadulterated capitalism?

Northeastern University professor, essayist, poet, and editor Eunsong Kim has illuminated the underlying influences of industrial capitalism and racism behind some of the most prized museum collections in her new book, The Politics of Collecting: Race and the Aestheticization of Property. She traces how Duchamp was brought to prominence through the patronage of collectors Louise and Walter Arensberg, heirs of a fortune wrought by the steel industry. Their family operated steel mills in the same setting as titans such as Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick, whose wealth also underlies their own valuable art collections.

And as it turns out, the “death of the author,” celebrated in conceptual art like that of Duchamp, is a convenient idea for the ultrawealthy. Devaluing labor pairs well with violent crackdowns on striking workers to deny them adequate pay. Or even Frederick Winslow Taylor’s development of “scientific management,” a system that is still cited today but is based on the idealization of the slave plantation.

How much of the Modernist archive was canonized by union-busting bosses? How much of conceptual art in the 20th and 21st centuries has been buoyed by the reverence of scientific management? In this episode, Editor-in-chief Hrag Vartanian sits down to talk with Kim about her new volume, which challenges generations of unquestioned received knowledge and advocates for a new vision of art beyond cultural institutions. In the process, they discuss the craft of writing, how a White artist was counted as a Black artist at the 2014 Whitney Biennial, and how Marcel Duchamp got away with selling bags of air. {listen}

[maquisro]

does anyone share my conspiracy theory that netflix’s most recent account sharing crackdown is actually just thinly-veiled retaliation for the WGA and SAG successes?

here is my presentation:

a) this is the first sharing crackdown that has successfully prevented me*, who I will call a “leech user”, from accessing my family’s netflix despite active effort on my part (as someone who is, shall we say, 🏴‍☠️moderately acquainted with dubious maritime conduct🏴‍☠️)

(*the rest of my argument relies on the assumption that my experience is somewhat representative of the wider leech user demographic — I assume at least one person will reach out if that is not the case)

b) the method by which they’re preventing sharing (2-step verification but both devices have to be on the same wifi network) is too simple for them to have just now figured out how to implement it

c) therefore, I propose that netflix has known how to do this for a while, and have simply not had any real motivation to actually pull the trigger — the incessant whining about the burden of account sharing and wringing of their pathetic little hands when their “efforts” “fail” to kick out that many leech users, is all, to some extent, an act*

(*to what end? science has yet to find the answer. “probably shareholder related”, he said, confidently, as though he were on Succession)

d) HOWMSTEVER — if netflix now has to deal with paying residuals each individual time something is streamed, suddenly all the streaming done by leech users is now Actively An Issue. so. crackdown.

e) so fewer individual streams = fewer residuals = less lost profit on netflix’s part — sounds like the kind of business decision that makes sense to the world of capitalism! but like. it’s inherent. this is the same business decision netflix was making before, the one that caused strikes in the first place, and to sneak right back into it after making a public show about how they’re “no longer” going to be screwing artists over, is absolutely a retaliatory action. referencing their “ongoing” “issue” with account sharing as plausible deniability is ridiculous and insulting

f) side note: the timing is also sus

g) if I were a cartoonishly evil corporation, I would create a MUCH longer gap between the new union contracts and my retaliation — it is NOT well-disguised right now

h) however, what all of netflix’s “attempts” to prevent account sharing have in common is what appears to be a fervent and genuinely held opinion on netflix’s part that booting leech users will somehow cause them to convert to paying account holders. they seem to be so invested in this goal that they’ll hold onto it even when it seems to contradict their other goals

i) now comes the timing thing — a few weeks after kicking the leech users (so as to let the tempers cool off), now we have the new A:TLA live action trailer + release date. very well-loved show, very active fanbase for a 3 season kids’ cartoon that recently turned 18, broad appeal to fairly disparate groups of people who are likely to be in the leech user demographic. I could go on but I’m tired

j) so if netflix is convinced that it’s vitally important to convert leech users into paying users, it makes sense to boot them right before hyping material that might ACTUALLY cause them to convert. I, for one, would seriously consider subscribing in order to watch it if I wasn’t certain that life will uhhh… 🏴‍☠️find a way🏴‍☠️

l) this is the part of the theory where I claim that netflix bumped up the timeline of their union retaliation to work with the A:TLA trailer release so that they could piggyback another use onto the method of their madness

m) and this is the part where I realize I’ve gone through half the alphabet. this is all speculative, these opinions belong solely to the blogger and are in no way representative blah blah blah. I have not re-read this draft ok goodnight*

(*this post written at 3am and queued for a more reasonable time)

[techtired]

Top 10 Best Torrent9 Alternatives in 2024

Many searches for the finest Torrent9 substitutes as Torrent9 is not always available. Government crackdowns on piracy mean Torrent9 can also be restricted in your area. The good news is that, with dedicated fans, some Torrent9 mirrors still function, assuming you know how to access them. Still, several P2P services are excellent substitutes for Torrent9. Our article tests and compiles various torrenting sites, so you're spared having to do so. Still, a virtual private network (VPN) offers a simple fix if your location prevents you from accessing Torrent9 or some of its equivalents. No matter where you live, a safe VPN will mask your IP and virtual location so you may access any torrenting site you like. Moreover, VPN services like NordVPN will encrypt your data and offer online threat security measures to prevent hostile software from ever reaching your device while surfing Torrent9 or other torrent sites. Top 10 Alternatives Of Torrent9 Cpasbien Approximately 30 million monthly users Strong download speeds (3-4 Mbps) Offers movie torrents, TV shows, music, ebooks, and games It doesn’t support magnet links Blocked in many major regions Considered the greatest substitute for Torrent9, Cpasbien is a top French torrent website. It draws about thirty million users monthly and boasts dependable download rates of 3-4 Mbps. Thanks to its sizable and active community, the site provides constantly updated access to a vast library of films, TV series, music, ebooks, and games. Even non-French speakers find navigating simple. But Cpasbien opposes magnet links; hence, users must download torrents by hand. Regretfully, the site is blocked in many countries, including India and the UK. However, with a VPN like NordVPN, Cpasbien can be accessed. YggTorrent Around 2.5 million active users Smaller community, but fast downloads (~2.5 Mbps) Registration is required, but using the site is free Extensive filtering options make navigation simple Blocked by French ISPs Popular French torrent website YggTorrent attracts novice as well as seasoned users. Having over 2.5 million members, it offers a good range of torrents and download speeds of around 2.5 Mbps. To access the material, one must register; the process is free and short. YggTorrent distinguishes itself with solid filtering features that enable users to rapidly find torrents by name, file type, or description. Unfortunately, French ISPs regularly ban YggTorrent; overcoming these limitations could call for a VPN like NordVPN. Gk Torrent Content organized by release date Smaller community than Cpasbien Decent download speeds (~3 Mbps) Healthy files that don’t stutter and fail to download Lots of options for filtering The library is regularly updated with new releases Another reliable Torrent9 substitute suitable for French-speaking users is GkTorrent. GkTorrent provides good torrents with consistent download rates averaging 3 Mbps. However, its user base is less than that of Cpasbien. The platform makes it easy for consumers to locate fresh releases by grouping material by release date. For French torrent aficionados looking for reasonably downloaded downloads, GkTorrent is excellent with its well-organized filtering choices and regularly upgraded collection. The Pirate Bay A trustworthy Torrent9 substitute with decades of experience There are about five million registered accounts and more unregistered users. More than 120 million seeds are currently used. A large body of material, including the newest films and TV episodes. Get files fast—between 5 and 6 Mbps. Banned in nations including the US, the UK, Russia, Spain, France, Germany, China, and others. The Pirate Bay is a leading torrenting site for English-speaking downloaders. It has existed for almost two decades and acquired a sizable 120 million seeder following. Fast download speeds (5–6 Mbps) and an extensive content library, including the newest TV series and films, are features of the website. It is blocked, nevertheless, in some nations, including the US, UK, Russia, and China. The Pirate Bay also features malevolent uploaders; however, downloading torrents safely and avoiding geo-restrictions, using a VPN like NordVPN, will help you. BitTorrent Provides a subscription approach with some exceptionally significant advantages. Over one hundred million monthly active users Download several torrents all at once. Plan downloads starting at particular times. Excellent download rates—between 5 and 6 Mbps With about 100 million monthly active users, BitTorrent is a main distributed P2P tool. Well-known for its fast download speeds—about 5–6 Mbps—it lets users schedule and download several torrents simultaneously. BitTorrent provides free and subscription-based services; its premium level gives access to CyberGhost VPN. The large platform community guarantees fast downloads and extensive information, all easily searchable with strong filtering choices. 1337x Draws around 53 million monthly users. Among the filters are the top 100 torrents. Download speeds are reasonable—roughly 3-4 Mbps. Simple, tidy UI, especially considering site makeovers Zero advertising creates a pleasant overall experience. Popular torrent website 1337x draws 53 million weekly users. Well-known for its simple and easy-to-use interface, it offers 3–4 Mbps download speeds and features an extensive range of material, including TV series, films, and even anime. Viewing the top 100 torrents and trending torrents is a main highlight of the website. It's also a fantastic Torrent9 substitute since its ad-free experience distinguishes it from other torrent websites. Instead of dealing with annoying adverts, users may help the site with Bitcoin donations. YTS A unique venue for fresh YIFY announcements About 75 million monthly users are active now. Many HD-quality films are on offer. About three to four Mbps download rates Sadly, many commercials YTS is the most excellent Torrent9 alternative if you are searching for HD-quality movies. The portal attracts roughly 75 million users monthly, specializing in YIFY releases. Download rates fall between 3-4 Mbps, and the library is loaded with HD movies painstakingly compressed without compromising quality. Although the site features regular adverts that could be irritating, the interface is neat and simple. Norton 360's antivirus protection shields you from any possible viruses in these adverts. Lime Torrents Twenty million or more active users every month. Perfect for just-released movie material. Download rates between three and four Mbps. Displays pop-up advertising. Blocked in the US, UK, Australia, and India. With around 20 million monthly users, LimeTorrents is a fantastic source for discovering new releases. Especially for fresh content, it offers decent download rates of 3-4 Mbps. Although the service is ideal for locating recently published movie torrents, older files often lose seeders with time. Although LimeTorrents is prohibited in the US, UK, and certain other areas, a VPN like NordVPN allows one to get over these limits. Users will have to cope with regular pop-up adverts, so that an ad blocker will be essential. Torrentz2 Ten to twenty million guests every month. Indexes pouring from ninety separate torrent sources Large song library to peruse Absence of filters to negotiate content Torrentz2 is a great Torrent9 substitute for music lovers. The service searches torrents from 90 torrent sites and gets between 10 and 20 million monthly visits. Torrentz2 shines in offering a large selection of music torrents, but it lacks sophisticated filters, which makes navigating other kinds of digital files more difficult. Download speeds vary depending on the provider. However, music lovers will find this service very helpful. E-ZTV The perfect source for the newest TV series. Average two to three Mbps download rates Ad-supported, but you can register to stop them. Stopped in Italy and the UK. Most agree that EZTV is the most excellent torrent site for TV series. With 2–3 Mbps download rates, the site regularly provides the newest episodes of famous TV shows. Although advertising supports the site, users can register to avoid them. Though its UI seems antiquated, EZTV is still a first choice for TV show buffs. However, a VPN like NordVPN will guarantee continuous access, as it is prohibited in nations like the UK and Italy. Conclusion In conclusion, Torrent9 may often be inaccessible due to government crackdowns on piracy, but numerous excellent alternatives offer reliable and diverse content. Each substitute has strengths, from fast download speeds and a wide range of media options to user-friendly interfaces and frequent updates. However, geo-restrictions may block access to some of these sites, making it necessary to use a VPN like NordVPN to bypass such blocks and ensure secure, unrestricted torrenting. Read the full article

[doespiavpndrainbattery]

can you use gamepass on pc with a vpn

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can you use gamepass on pc with a vpn

Game Pass PC VPN compatibility

Game Pass PC VPN compatibility is a topic of interest for many gamers who want to access and enjoy their favorite games from anywhere in the world. Game Pass PC allows players to access a library of games for a monthly subscription fee, but sometimes geographical restrictions can limit the availability of certain titles.

Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can help gamers bypass these restrictions by masking their IP address and making it appear as though they are connecting from a different location. This can allow players to access games that may not be available in their region due to licensing or other reasons.

However, not all VPNs are compatible with Game Pass PC. Some VPNs may be detected by the platform's anti-fraud mechanisms, leading to issues with accessing games or even potential account bans. It is essential for gamers to choose a VPN service that is known to work well with Game Pass PC to avoid any disruptions in their gaming experience.

When selecting a VPN for Game Pass PC, it is important to consider factors such as speed, security, ease of use, and customer support. Opting for a reputable VPN provider with a proven track record of compatibility with gaming platforms can help ensure a smooth and uninterrupted gaming experience while using Game Pass PC.

In conclusion, utilizing a VPN for Game Pass PC compatibility can open up a world of gaming opportunities for players looking to access their favorite titles without being limited by geographical restrictions. By choosing the right VPN service and following best practices, gamers can enhance their gaming experience and enjoy a wider selection of games available on the Game Pass PC platform.

Game Pass VPN restrictions

Game Pass VPN restrictions refer to the limitations or barriers imposed by Microsoft on using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access content on their Game Pass service. VPNs are commonly used to enhance online privacy and security by masking a user's IP address and encrypting their internet connection. However, when it comes to streaming services like Game Pass, VPNs can often be detected and blocked due to licensing agreements and regional restrictions.

Microsoft's Game Pass service offers a vast library of games for subscribers to enjoy. Some games on the platform may have different release dates or availability depending on the user's location. This is where VPNs come into play for users looking to bypass regional restrictions and access content not available in their country. By connecting to a VPN server in a different country, users can trick the service into thinking they are located in that specific region and gain access to content that may be region-locked.

However, Microsoft actively monitors and detects VPN usage on their Game Pass platform. They enforce restrictions by blocking VPN IP addresses or limiting access to certain content for users caught using VPNs. This crackdown on VPN usage is intended to ensure compliance with licensing agreements and prevent unauthorized access to geographically restricted content.

In conclusion, while VPNs can offer users a way to bypass regional restrictions and access content on Game Pass that may not be available in their country, Microsoft's VPN restrictions are in place to protect the integrity of their service and uphold licensing agreements. Users should be aware of the potential risks involved in using VPNs to circumvent these restrictions and understand that their access to Game Pass content may be limited or blocked as a result.

Using Game Pass on PC with VPN

Using Game Pass on PC with a VPN opens up a world of possibilities for gamers seeking expanded access to their favorite titles. Game Pass, Microsoft's subscription-based gaming service, offers a vast library of games for users to enjoy, but regional restrictions may limit access to certain titles based on geographical location. By utilizing a VPN (Virtual Private Network), gamers can bypass these restrictions and unlock a plethora of gaming content.

One of the primary benefits of using a VPN with Game Pass on PC is the ability to access games that may not be available in your region. Whether it's exclusive titles or early releases, a VPN allows you to connect to servers in different countries, granting you access to a wider selection of games.

Additionally, using a VPN can enhance your gaming experience by reducing lag and latency. By connecting to a server closer to the game's server location, you can minimize ping times and enjoy smoother gameplay. This is particularly beneficial for online multiplayer games where split-second reactions can make all the difference.

Furthermore, a VPN adds an extra layer of security and privacy to your gaming sessions. By encrypting your internet connection, a VPN protects your data from potential cyber threats, safeguarding sensitive information such as login credentials and payment details.

However, it's essential to choose a reliable VPN provider that offers fast speeds, robust security features, and a wide range of server locations. Additionally, users should be aware of any terms of service violations when using a VPN with Game Pass, as it may go against the platform's policies.

In conclusion, utilizing a VPN with Game Pass on PC can significantly enhance your gaming experience by providing access to a broader range of titles, improving performance, and ensuring privacy and security.

Game Pass PC VPN workaround

Title: Unlocking Game Pass PC Content with a VPN: A Workaround Guide

Are you a gaming enthusiast eagerly looking to explore the diverse library of games offered by Game Pass PC, but facing geo-restrictions? Don't fret, as there's a solution – leveraging a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to bypass these limitations and unlock a plethora of gaming content.

Game Pass PC, a subscription service by Microsoft, provides access to a wide array of games for PC users. However, the availability of certain titles may vary depending on your geographical location. This is where a VPN comes into play, allowing you to mask your IP address and appear as though you're accessing the service from a different region.

The process is relatively straightforward. Firstly, choose a reputable VPN service provider with servers in regions where the desired Game Pass PC content is available. Once you've subscribed to the VPN service, download and install their application on your PC. Then, select a server location where the desired games are accessible.

After connecting to the VPN server, launch the Game Pass PC application. Voila! You should now have access to a broader selection of games previously unavailable in your region. Keep in mind that while this workaround effectively bypasses geo-restrictions, it's essential to adhere to the terms of service outlined by Microsoft.

Additionally, it's crucial to choose a VPN provider that prioritizes privacy and security, ensuring your gaming experience remains safe and uninterrupted. Look for features such as robust encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and reliable customer support.

In conclusion, by utilizing a VPN as a workaround, you can unlock an extensive catalog of games on Game Pass PC, transcending geographical barriers and enhancing your gaming experience. So why wait? Dive into the world of limitless gaming possibilities today!

Game Pass PC VPN access

Title: Unlocking the Full Potential of Game Pass PC with VPN Access

In the realm of gaming, accessibility is key. Microsoft's Game Pass for PC offers a treasure trove of games, but what if your location limits your access? Enter VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, which can unlock a world of possibilities for Game Pass users.

VPN access for Game Pass PC opens doors for gamers worldwide, granting them access to a vast library of games regardless of their geographical location. Here's how it works:

Overcome Geo-Restrictions: Game availability can vary based on your region due to licensing agreements and censorship laws. With a VPN, you can connect to servers in different countries, tricking Game Pass into thinking you're accessing it from an eligible region.

Early Access and Exclusive Titles: Some games may release earlier in certain regions or have exclusivity deals. By using a VPN, you can gain access to these titles as soon as they're available, giving you a competitive edge and the opportunity to experience highly anticipated games firsthand.

Enhanced Privacy and Security: VPNs encrypt your internet connection, protecting your data from potential threats such as hackers and surveillance. This added layer of security ensures that your gaming experience remains safe and private.

Reduced Lag and Ping: In some cases, connecting to a VPN server closer to the game's servers can improve your connection quality, reducing lag and ping times for smoother gameplay.

However, it's essential to choose a reliable VPN service with fast servers and strong encryption protocols to ensure a seamless gaming experience. Additionally, be mindful of any terms of service violations that may result from using a VPN to access Game Pass.

In conclusion, VPN access for Game Pass PC offers a solution to geo-restrictions, enhances privacy and security, and can even improve your gaming performance. By harnessing the power of VPN technology, gamers can truly unlock the full potential of Game Pass on PC, opening the door to endless gaming possibilities.

[newstfionline]

Saturday, November 11, 2023

The US Census Bureau estimates the world’s population has passed 8 billion (AP) The human species has topped 8 billion, with longer lifespans offsetting fewer births, but world population growth continues a long-term trend of slowing down, the U.S. Census Bureau said Thursday. The bureau estimates the global population exceeded the threshold Sept. 26, a precise date the agency said to take with a grain of salt. The discrepancy is due to countries counting people differently—or not at all. Many lack systems to record births and deaths. Some of the most populous countries, such as India and Nigeria, haven’t conducted censuses in over a decade, according to the bureau.

Biden’s secrecy on arms transfers to Israel unnerves some Democrats (Washington Post) President Biden faces growing pressure from allies in Congress to publicly disclose the scope of U.S. arms being funneled to Israel. Contrary to its military aid program for Ukraine, which saw the Pentagon release recurring fact sheets about the volume of U.S. arms transfers, the administration has not made public the quantities of weapons it is sending to Israel. The administration is also pushing for the authority to bypass notification requirements to Congress that apply to every other country receiving military financing.

Drilling: promises and reality (NYT) In 2030, if current projections hold, the United States will drill for more oil and gas than at any point in its history. Russia and Saudi Arabia plan to do the same, according to a United Nations-backed report issued on Wednesday. The report, which looked at 20 major fossil fuel producing countries, underscores the wide gap between world leaders’ lofty promises to take stronger action on climate change and their nations’ actual production plans.

What the Republican candidates get wrong about Mexico and fentanyl (Washington Post) Mexico has emerged as a major target in the Republican presidential primary campaign, with candidates pledging to escalate the U.S. crackdown on fentanyl, the cheap, powerful synthetic drug that’s smuggled in from Mexico. But many of the candidates’ proposals don’t take into account realities on the ground in Mexico. Here are three ways in which the candidates are getting Mexico wrong. 1) ‘Taking out’ the Mexican Cartels isn’t so simple. For example, a research paper published recently in Science magazine estimated that about 175,000 people work for the cartels. If they were one company, the study said, they’d be Mexico’s fifth largest employer. Beyond that, drug trafficking organizations have penetrated many local and state police forces. In other words, the cartels aren’t small, isolated units operating on the margins of society. They’re deeply interwoven into Mexico’s political, economic and social life. 2) What about destroying the cartels by taking out their leaders? That’s been tried for at least 15 years, but the “kingpin strategy” hasn’t diminished the supply of drugs heading north. The cartels simply reconstitute themselves. 3) Sending in the military would destroy a key U.S. relationship. Mexico is the United States’ No. 1 trading partner, a crucial source of products. Any unilateral U.S. military action would blow up the relationship, with far-reaching economic and social consequences.

As a DJ, village priest in Portugal cues up faith and electronic dance music for global youth (AP) Guilherme Peixoto, a village priest in northern Portugal, has been busy this month celebrating Masses at his two parishes, presiding over remembrances for the dead—and preparing the electronic music set for his next international DJ gig. What started nearly two decades ago as a novel way to fundraise for the local churches has become essential to the ministry of this 49-year-old Catholic priest in a rapidly secularizing continent where religious practice is dropping fast—especially among young people. “With electronic music I can take some message, I can be where young people are,” Peixoto said a few days after returning to Laúndos from playing at a large Halloween festival in Italy. “They can think, ‘If it’s possible for a priest to be DJ, it’s possible for me to like music, and festivals, and be Christian.’” For Peixoto, DJing in and far beyond the village has become a vital new way to evangelize. “I’m making these messages arrive where the church is not,” he said of engagements like the Halloween festival with some 30,000 partygoers. There, he re-mixed electronic dance beats with words from Pope Francis’ encyclical about protecting the environment. “It’s not so much—two-three sentences from the Pope—but if I wasn’t there, it’s no sentence. It’s like a small seed, and the Holy Spirit will do his work.”

A turning point in Myanmar as army suffers big losses (BBC) The military-installed president of Myanmar has warned that the country is in danger of breaking apart if the government cannot control fighting which has broken out in Shan State, inflicting serious losses on the armed forces. Three ethnic insurgent armies in Shan State, supported by other armed groups opposing the government, have overrun dozens of military posts, and captured border crossings and the roads carrying most of the overland trade with China. It is the most serious setback suffered by the junta since it seized power in February 2021. After two-and-half years of battling the armed uprising it provoked with its disastrous coup, the military is looking weak. The government has responded with airstrikes and artillery bombardments, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes. But it has been unable to bring in reinforcements or recover the ground it has lost.

The Land Where Inflation Is Good News (WSJ) For a quarter-century, Japan tried every trick in the central-banking book to boost prices and jolt its troubled economy back to life. The cure turned out to be pandemic and war. Higher energy and food costs triggered by the Ukraine war, coupled with Covid-era supply-chain snags, are bringing a surprise end to the long, bleak era of falling prices and stagnant growth known as Japanification.

Fighting near hospitals in north Gaza (AP) Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing northern Gaza as Israel’s military pushed deeper into dense urban neighborhoods in its battle with Hamas militants. Officials in the besieged enclave said the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 11,000 people. The search for safety in Gaza is growing more desperate as combat intensifies. Residents who escaped to the south and Palestinian health officials reported strikes in and around Gaza City’s main hospital overnight, as patients fled. Israel’s military has sounded a steady drumbeat of accusations that the hospital sits atop a headquarters for Hamas. The World Health Organization said Friday that 20 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are no longer functioning, including a pediatric hospital that stopped operations after a reported Israeli strike in the area. “If there is a hell on earth today, its name is northern Gaza,” the U.N. humanitarian agency spokesperson, Jens Laerke, told reporters in Geneva.

After a month of bombardments, as much as a third of Gaza City is damaged (NPR) Thanks to pictures taken by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 satellite, researchers now have a better look at the damage done by IDF airstrikes. Their findings show that about 27% to 35% of all buildings in Northern Gaza have been damaged, and about 13% to 18% of all buildings across Gaza have been damaged or destroyed. That’s about 38,000 to 51,500 buildings. “It's just steadily increasing,” said one satellite imaging expert. “There's broad damage in areas where people live—cities, refugee camps.”

The punishing military doctrine that Israel may be following in Gaza (Washington Post) A few days after Hamas’s horrific Oct. 7 rampage through southern Israel, a top Israeli military official was blunt about his nation’s military response. Daniel Hagari, spokesman of the Israel Defense Forces, revealed that the “emphasis” of the IDF’s reprisal was “on damage and not on accuracy.” Implicit in Hagari’s “emphasis” on damage over accuracy is a long-standing Israeli military doctrine. The so-called “Dahiya Doctrine” took shape in the wake of the bruising 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Dahiya refers to the southern Beirut suburbs where Hezbollah maintained its strongholds and which were pummeled by Israeli jets after hostilities began when Hezbollah fighters abducted two Israeli soldiers. Hezbollah’s leadership had not expected to see their headquarters turned into rubble nor had planned for such a relentless bombardment.       The doctrine appeared to be in operation during a round of hostilities between Hamas in Gaza and Israel at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009. A U.N.-commissioned report regarding that conflict, which saw the deaths of more than 1,400 Palestinians and Israelis, determined that Israel’s campaign was “a deliberately disproportionate attack designed to punish, humiliate and terrorize a civilian population, radically diminish its local economic capacity both to work and to provide for itself, and to force upon it an ever increasing sense of dependency and vulnerability.” “Israeli military correspondents and security analysts repeatedly reported that the Dahiya doctrine was Israel’s strategy throughout the war in Gaza this past summer,” observed Palestinian American scholar Rashid Khalidi in the fall of 2014, after another Israeli campaign left more than 1,460 civilians dead, including almost 500 children. “Let us be frank: this is actually less of a strategic doctrine than it is an explicit outline of collective punishment and probable war crimes.” He added: “Not surprisingly, one found little mention of the Dahiya doctrine whether in statements by U.S. politicians, or in the reporting of the war by most of the mainstream American media, which dwelt on the description of Israel’s actions as ‘self-defense.’”

Sudan’s civil war triggers an ‘unimaginable’ humanitarian crisis (Washington Post) A new tipping point seems to have been reached in Sudan’s civil war. In recent weeks, the RSF and allied militias seized what appears to be de facto control of the western region of Darfur, driving their rivals out of a host of regional capitals and scattering their forces into the desert in what journalist Katharine Houreld explained “is the most significant military breakthrough” by the RSF since the conflict began in April. The gains of RSF have also come with a new wave of alleged mass killings. Houreld spoke to a number of eyewitnesses who described how the paramilitary group and its allies carried out slaughters of non-Arabs after they seized the army headquarters in the West Darfur capital of Geneina. Representatives of international organizations documented reports of massacres of whole families, rape, sexual assault and widespread looting. Away from the killing fields, U.N. officials warned of a disaster of a vast scale taking place in Sudan. Some 4.5 million people—close to a tenth of the country’s overall population—have been internally displaced during the conflict. More than a million others have fled the country, with some half a million people, primarily from Darfur, sheltering in squalid camps in neighboring Chad.

AI fake nudes are booming. It’s ruining real teens’ lives. (Washington Post) When Gabi Belle learned there was a naked photo of her circulating on the internet, her body turned cold. The YouTube influencer had never posed for the image. She knew it must be fake. But when Belle, 26, messaged a colleague asking for help removing the image he told her there were nearly 100 fake photos scattered across the web, mostly housed on websites known for hosting porn generated by artificial intelligence. They were taken down in July, Belle said, but new images depicting her in graphic sexual situations have already surfaced. Artificial intelligence is fueling an unprecedented boom this year in fake pornographic images and videos. It’s enabled by a rise in cheap and easy-to-use AI tools that can “undress” people in photographs or seamlessly swap a face into a pornographic video. On the top 10 websites that host AI-generated porn photos, fake nudes have ballooned by more than 290 percent since 2018, according to Genevieve Oh, an industry analyst. These sites feature celebrities and political figures alongside ordinary teenage girls, whose likenesses have been seized by bad actors to incite shame, extort money or live out private fantasies. Victims have little recourse.

[nbmsports]

What Happens When You Ask a Chinese Chatbot About Taiwan?

“How does the United States affect the situation in Taiwan?”Ernie ducked the question about China’s “zero Covid” restrictions, offering a lengthy description of the policy instead. When asked to recount the events of June 4, 1989, the chatbot rebooted itself. A message popped up on the reloaded interface:How about we try a different topic?The Chinese chatbot said Russia’s president, Vladimir V. Putin, did not invade Ukraine, but “conducted a military conflict.” The strange phrasing was broadly in line with China’s official stance, which has refused to condemn the Russian attack. On Taiwan, Ernie did not pull any punches:The People’s Liberation Army is ready for battle, will take all necessary measures and is determined to thwart external interference and “Taiwan independence” separatist attempts.ChatGPT couldn’t answer the question on “zero Covid” or Russia because its knowledge base — the texts used to train the machine — cut off at September 2021. ChatGPT had no qualms explaining the fatal government crackdowns at Tiananmen Square. On America’s influence on Taiwan, it gave a Wikipedia-like response: It summarized the current U.S. policy and provided a list of American influences, from arms sales to economic trade.Ernie made mistakes, but turned to Baidu search for help.Next, we quizzed the two chatbots on current affairs and some miscellaneous trivia, and compared answers:“Who uttered the phrase ‘Let them eat cake’?”“Who is the C.E.O. of Twitter?”Ernie, like all chatbots, sometimes made mistakes — or made things up.According to historical records, Louis XV often uttered this phrase when he ruled France at the end of the 18th century. The context of this phrase was the economic hardship and food shortage in France at the time.Ernie’s response sounded plausible, but it was wrong. ChatGPT answered it correctly: The phrase came from the writings of the French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. It was rumored to have been said by an out-of-touch Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France, after she learned that the French peasantry had run out of bread.Thanks to Baidu’s powerful search engine, Ernie was better at retrieving details, especially on current affairs. When asked who the C.E.O. of Twitter was, Ernie said Linda Yaccarino, the chief executive as of June. ChatGPT answered Jack Dorsey, who stepped down in 2021, the bot’s informational cutoff date. OpenAI released a plug-in this year that enabled its chatbot to surf the web through Microsoft’s Bing. But it retracted the feature on July 3, citing technical problems.Ernie had worse intuitions about the physical world.We asked Ernie a question that A.I. researchers have used to gauge a chatbot’s human-level intuitions:“Here we have a book, nine eggs, a laptop, a bottle and a nail. Please tell me how to stack them onto each other in a stable manner.”Ernie’s answer required a stretch of the imagination. It placed the nine eggs on the book, then placed that on the laptop. So far so good. Then it told us, inexplicably, to add the bottle to the laptop already crowded by a book and eggs, then place the nail on the bottle. Source link Read the full article

[junkiegreys]

Crackdown 3 release date

#Crackdown 3 release date windows 10#

#Crackdown 3 release date Pc#

#Crackdown 3 release date windows#

16 In June 2018, the game was confirmed to be delayed again, pushing back to February 2019. Crackdown 3 Review Pros: Great joyous core gameplay Cons: Graphics Attempted story/plot Generic and forgettable bosses Info: Formats - Xbox. The feature certainly isn't listed on Crackdown 3's Xbox website profile, however. Crackdown 3 was set to be released worldwide in 2016, which was changed to 7 November 2017 simultaneously with the Xbox One X, but another delay was announced on 16 August 2017, moving the release back to an unspecified Q2/Q3 2018 date. With the competitive multiplayer mode Wrecking Zone become more of a focus for the game, perhaps the team's reconsidered cross-play. Cross-play was confirmed to be enabled by the Crackdown 3 team back in 2016, but obviously much has changed in the game since then. First and foremost, the specific release date for Crackdown 3 has finally been revealed, after a p revious window of only February 2019 was revealed before.

#Crackdown 3 release date Pc#

One last detail left for Microsoft, or Crackdown 3 developer Sumo Digital, to clarify is whether or not the game still features cross-play between PC and Xbox One players.

#Crackdown 3 release date windows#

That means, with today's Game Pass news, that Game Pass subscribers will be able to play Crackdown 3 on both their Xbox One and PC through the Windows Store via their subscription. Crackdown 3 will also be a part of both the Xbox Play Anywhere and the. It was originally expected to release in late 2016 but was then delayed to spring 2017, then one other time I can’t recollect, and now February. And since verticality is key in Crackdown, the highest tower touches the sky at 1.2 km height. This is I think the fourth time they’ve announced a release date for the game. Not only is it over twice the size of the original Crackdown, on top it features 1,000 orbs for you to find. By Eddie Makuch on Augat 4:16AM PDT 252 Comments Crackdown 3 will no longer launch on November 7 alongside the Xbox One X. It's already been announced that Crackdown 3 is a Play Anywhere title, meaning that so long as buyers pick up the Play Anywhere version of the game (some retail discs do not feature Play Anywhere) then they'll own a copy for both Xbox and PC. Crackdown 3 release date: February 15, 2019. The anticipated Xbox One and PC game needs more time. Players must fight against an evil organization known as Terra Nova after the group commits an act of terrorism.While it's not bluntly stated, the confirmation of Crackdown 3's inclusion on Xbox Game Pass does imply some further information. Crackdown 3 includes a story mode that continues 10 years after the events of Crackdown 2. Crackdown 3 will be out on February 15 and Microsoft is confident in the quality of the game judging from the review embargo, which is set for February 11. There would be three delay announcements from then until now, but we’re finally seeing a release. Crackdown 3 Review Embargo Date Revealed, Four Days Before Release Date. Pre-orders are currently open for the game, though there are currently no bonuses or special editions yet. The game is coming to XBO and PC, and will be part of the Play Anywhere program, which allows players to buy one copy of the game. Originally announced in 2014, Crackdown 3 was scheduled to release in 2016. As it stands, Crackdown 3 is set to launch on February 15, 2019. Crackdown 3 Release Date Crackdown 3 will arrive on Feb. This means you’ll be able to start playing right as the clock strikes 12. If you want to purchase a copy now, you can get everything downloaded and installed before midnight. on February 15 regardless of where you live.Ĭrackdown 3 is available for pre-order and pre-load. It doesn’t mention if this is tied to a specific time zone, so it’s likely you’ll have to wait until 12 a.m. While we know what day we can play Crackdown 3, what time can we actually get started destroying buildings and capturing bad guys? According to the Microsoft Store, Crackdown 3 unlocks right at midnight.

#Crackdown 3 release date windows 10#

All that finally comes to a close when Crackdown 3 releases for Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs tomorrow, February 15. The game has certainly had a long development life. It feels like it’s been forever since Crackdown 3 was announced.

[wopiner]

Crackdown 3 release date

CRACKDOWN 3 RELEASE DATE PC

"If we can take out the support on the heavier side, the whole thing will come down to that side." The realistic inner structure of all buildings means to cause such a reaction deliberately requires some thought - which has meant building Crackdown 3's city has been a larger undertaking than previous. "One side is heavier than the other," Jones explains. were blasting the steel beams at the base of one side of a building with a lopsided, architectually stylish design. The moment I was really sold on the demo was one such event - Jones and co. Damage to this is what can cause the really spectacular moments, and Jones and his team make a point to shoot for that imagery. In order to make the technology work, the team behind Crackdown has modelled the inner structure of every building - meaning that if you scatter-shot machine gun fire at the walls, eventually you're going to expose thick steel beams and other features of the superstructure underneath. The group are in a four-player co-op session and simply begin to level city blocks with rocket launchers that, Jones assures, are deliberately over-powered for the demo - a simple rocket launcher alone won't be enough to topple most buildings in the final game. I fully anticipate many comedy destruction cocks to be shot into the walls of Crackdown 3's city come launch day.įrom this point on, Jones and the other members of his team ramp up the level of destruction on display. And, yes - if you wanted that circle to instead be a square, or any other crude shape, you could certainly shoot it out of that same wall. That circular piece of wall that moments earlier didn't exist can be stood on, or picked up and thrown - and this is the basis for everything that comes, no matter how large the scale gets. This doesn't seem like much until one considers what's going on - the game has recognized that a piece has been separated from the rest of the wall and calculated its shape, size and mass on the fly - and then made it its own piece of geometry in the world. When the wall could no longer maintain the structure, the whole of the inside of the circle simply toppled out of the wall and to the floor. The first demonstration of the technology was deceptively simple - Dave Jones, the game's director and one of the creators of the original Grand Theft Auto, simply shot a circle in a piece of wall. So here's the deal - in this mode, Crackdown 3's city is 100% destructible, with every building you can see able to be reduced to rubble. It was my final appointment of a blistering day at Gamescom - but to say it woke me right back up would be something of an understatement. There's caveats to everything I'm about to write - in Crackdown, the destruction is only available in a specific multiplayer mode, and the game itself is in a recognizably early state, with textures missing in places and only one playable character model available - but as technical demonstations go, this was an impressive one, leaving me with eyebrows raised. Here, banks of servers miles away are used to assist Crackdown 3 as it calculates massive amounts of architectural destruction on the fly. I'm talking about Microsoft's impressive demonstration of what the Xbox One and Microsoft's much-touted cloud computing capabilities can do. The last time was probably when I first played the game that'd eventually become EVE Valkyrie on the Oculus Rift - but Microsoft has managed it with a Crackdown 3 demo that, to be honest, left me a little slack-jawed - even if the game itself doesn't yet seem too immediately exciting. It's been quite a while since something at a trade show has truly blindsided me.

CRACKDOWN 3 RELEASE DATE PC

It's far beyond what's possible on any of the consoles, and even appears to outstrip what any one mega PC could manage." "As technology goes, Crackdown 3's is nuts. Crackdown 3's spectacular destruction brings home Xbox's message: the cloud is the future.

[trustwith]

Crackdown 3 release date

Crackdown 3 release date series#

Crackdown 3 release date simulator#

Crackdown 3 release date free#

Crackdown 3 release date series#

Of course the cancellation of Scalebound, a big-budget action-RPG made by Platinum Games was the cherry on top of a bad looking series of events for the Microsoft Studios branch. Lionhead being closed, Fable Legends being shutdown, Project Spark being discontinued, the Phantom Dust reboot being put on-hold, Twisted Pixel becoming indie again and Press Play being closed alongside Project Knoxville being shutdown. It certainly didn’t help that within the last gameplay demo and the E3 2017 trailer of Crackdown 3, quite a lot of stuff happened within Microsoft Studios. With the tease in 2013, the announcement in 2014 and the first gameplay demo in 2015, nothing was shown in 2016 which made people a bit sceptical on the development of the game.

Crackdown 3 release date simulator#

Microsoft Flight Simulator is also powered by the Cloud in combination with Azure AI and Bing Maps. Drivatars are based on the playstyles of real players. The Forza Motorsport series has been using Drivatars ever since FM5 (2013). This was however not the first Microsoft Studios game that utilized some sort of cloud-powered gameplay elements. Kingpin, a gang leader from the original, is prominently featured in this game. The trailer gave some hints away at the possible direction of the game. David Jones also wanted to “revolutionise open-world games” with this sequel. Little info was given alongside this announcement aside from the fact that David Jones would be involved again as the game’s director. It was, however, a year later, at E3 2014, that Microsoft officially unveiled the next Crackdown game. The simple inclusion of a Crackdown 2 Orb in the Xbox One dashboard made many fans hoping for a return of this well-known Xbox 360 IP. That changed however when Microsoft teased Crackdown at the Xbox One Reveal event. A neat surprise.Īfter the second game, fans were mostly getting a little bit sceptical on the future of this IP. The game received the Toybox DLC (very similar to the Keys to the City mode) and several smaller-scaled DLC packs after release. The sequel was however set in the same map as the original game and was often brought up as “overpriced DLC for Crackdown 1”. The game did add some noteworthy stuff like mutants, new vehicles, new weaponry and of course. The sequel got a pretty hectic development cycle as it was rumouredly only worked on for just 8 to 9 months. Microsoft partnered up with Ruffian Games, a fairly unknown Scottish studio, to work on Crackdown 2. Not too many fans were happy with this change since they were often hordes of brainless mutants. Crackdown 2 added mutants to the open-world sandbox. An online game that featured an ongoing war between criminals and law enforcement. David Jones and RealTime were both quite busy with their project with nearly 100$ million dollar funding, APB: All Points Bulletin. This sequel was however developed without the input of David Jones and without RealTime Worlds, development studio behind the first Crackdown game. This DLC package adds some sort of developer tools to the game where you can spawn objects/npcs or modify your Agent in terms of strength and agility.Ĭrackdown eventually got a sequel nearly three years later on July 6th 2010. It was pretty much a well-thought-out sandbox experience and it even got a post-launch DLC package called “Keys to the City”.

Crackdown 3 release date free#

The moment you were controlling the character, you were fully free to go wherever you want. The success of the first game was a mix of an open-world design where the player was free to do whatever they want at their own pace. Buying Crackdown would give you access to the three-weeks long Halo 3 multiplayer beta. Crackdown was an unexpected success story for Microsoft, a game that funnily enough was mostly bought by Xbox fans because of its inclusion of access to the Halo 3 Beta. This game was the success story of David Jones, one of the key people behind the first two Grand Theft Auto games and creator of Lemmings. Microsoft Studios launched Crackdown 1 roughly 13 years ago on February 20th 2007.

[mygameslounge]

Get ready to bring the boom as Crackdown 3 get’s it’s launch video and information.

See if you should play this here on MGL

[mercyandmagic]

Regarding mxtx's whereabouts, did you check this thread ? it provides some info maybe you are not aware of ? twitter(.)com/ReviewsNana/status/1520340296151797760

Hello! That thread omits a stunning amount of context and information to make its point. 

I find it really upsetting (the thread, not you, Nonny-Mouse, please don’t feel bad). Because if you have the truth, why do you need to omit or twist information? That being said, I doubt the author is doing it on purpose, and regardless, please don’t attack them, anyone. 

Let’s break it down. For clarity’s sake, please note that my initial investigation here contains proof of literally everything I say in its 90+ references. 

I invite and want to be fact-checked here, because I refuse to hide facts even if I hate them (and as a fan of MXTX, boy do I hate these facts). 

 There’s significant missing context here:

1) Antis certainly amplified the rumors, but they didn’t start them; “Masses Eating Melons CJ” did. He’s a supposedly reliable gossip author. In his Weibo, he  expressed hope that this wouldn’t cause CQL to be cancelled, so he does not seem to be an anti. 

2) May 23 was also the date of a large raid on JJWXC by the government as part of a crackdown on content. More on this later, but it was, in short, a bad time for JJWXC. Their CEO even made arrangements on Weibo for people to take care of her pets if she was arrested (she was not). 

Holy missing context batman. 

1). This furor was caused because the government had just released a statement about their crackdown. In this official statement, they announced the arrest of a “popular” JJWXC author who has MXTX’s surname. No other popular author appears to have gone missing. When JJWXC was contacted by reporters, their CEO went out of her way to avoid providing a direct answer.

2. The Guazhou Bureau did confirm that MXTX had made a donation, but they did not contact her to ask for permission to reveal it. They contacted her to update her on delays in their restoration project her donation had helped fund. But here’s the thing: the very next day, the Bureau released a second statement saying they had tried to make contact with MXTX, but were unable to do so.  

Antis usually promote the latter statement, while fans promote the former. Personally, I believe that since both were issued, both must be taken into account, even if it means we have no real answers here.

It’s certainly true that the audio book company’s correspondence with a fan could imply this. However... the audio book began at the start of July 2019. It’s unlikely that MXTX asked the famous actor Zhang Zhen to read it just days before it was to be published. It must have been earlier, though how much earlier I don’t know. Late spring 2019 seems the most likely, and this means nothing with regards to arrest.  

Not proven. I’ve actually read a JJWXC contract. An author’s signature is needed for adaptations of works, but not translations. JJWXC may authorized translations without consulting authors, because it involves no changes to the work and will only profit the authors.

The second point – that MXTX was unsatisfied with the results of revision – is not what was said. The announcement merely stated the status quo that MXTX was still revising TGCF, with no implication that they had personally contacted or heard from her, so they were going to go ahead with the unrevised version.

So this was February 3, 2020. During Covid lockdown. No one was able to travel from Korea to personally hand the award over, and moreover, the company did not say they would. They said the award would be delivered to the author. They did not say it would be done “personally.” 

I don’t know the source of this, but I suspect it comes from the PASH interview I was never able to gain access to. Basically, the interviewer asks about the original author’s reaction. The interviewee (I believe a producer of the audio drama in Japan) says the original author was delighted, and thought the people voicing Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were perfect. 

I have to ask. For the audio drama adaptation, is the original author MXTX, or the person who wrote and produced the audio drama? (I believe that producer is Brackets-Jun, a friend of hers). The interview refers to an original author, but not to MXTX directly so I really don’t know. I don’t think they’re lying – that would be pointless – but I don’t know anything else here. 

It’s true that the Thai version contains a personal message from her. I reached out to ask the publisher directly if it was sent by JJWXC or MXTX herself, and their response simply said that they received it in February. No elaboration.

The screenshot at the bottom of the middle column does say that MXTX and the translator worked together. However, where is it from? What is its source? The Weibo on the right is clearly from the publisher, and aligns with my own contact with them. (The Twitter screenshot appears to be from a Japanese fan excited about the personal message, nothing more). Without sources for the screenshots on a clearly twisted fact check, I’m not sure why we should trust that this is certain.

Also, this timeline skips something major: on 11 November 2020, a sealed judgment was uploaded to the government’s court website. The judgment concerned someone with MXTX’s exact first and last name, with the exact location of the arrested author in the government’s August 2019 announcement, for “illegal business operations,” the charge common for authors who publish without going through the censors. Many newspapers reported that this was MXTX, and no friend nor JJWXC said anything to deny it – but also, they did not confirm it.

If MXTX had already signed rights to the webtoon, I’m not sure she’d need to sign it again for a physical version. Without seeing her exact contract, it’s impossible to say.

As for the Audio Drama rights, this again excludes something so major I cannot overlook it:

At the end of October, the same person convicted with MXTX’s name in the exact location of the arrested author for a crime consistent with being an author was released on parole. This was uploaded to an official court website.

Two things: 

1). When the sealed judgment was originally reported in the news, the reports cited “insiders” who said MXTX had been convicted and sentenced to three years. This parolee indeed had a 3 year sentence.

2). In December 2020, an anonymous person claimed to have been MXTX’s cellmate. She highly praised her conduct and character, and claimed MXTX had been born in a specific year. I did not include this in my investigation, because I thought it was too easy to fake. However, what has made me reconsider is that the parolee’s birth year was indeed the same year mentioned by the alleged cellmate. Make of that what you will. 

So yes, if she is paroled, MXTX can authorize TGCF’s audio drama. This disproves nothing. 

Let’s talk about true evidence. There are indeed two court cases, but MXTX is not the suer. 

Case 1: involves copyright infringement on the audio drama. Her friend Brackets-Jun is the suer. MXTX’s name is mentioned, but her presence or lack thereof is not.  

Case 2: involves piracy of the novel MDZS. JJWXC was the suer, and the defendant’s actual defense was that MXTX was in jail, so the piracy didn’t matter (can you see my eyes rolling through the screen?). The judge lists out JJWXC and the defendant’s evidence, but does not say the rumors are untrue. The judge simply doesn’t rule on this at all.

What the judge does say, however, is the following: that JJWXC had provided three signed forms allegedly from MXTX. The first two are from 2015 and 2016, showing she owned the novel’s copyright. The third? An unnotarized form saying JJWXC could represent her in court. Notarization is when you have a government official present to ensure that someone actually signed a form. The judge declared that this form’s signature was “significantly different” than MXTX’s previous signatures, and that this led them to believe something was indeed amiss between MXTX and JJWXC. In other words: the judge thought her signature was forged. (Fwiw, JJWXC won the case because the defendant did indeed do a piracy).

If you have the evidence, why twist facts? Why mislead? 

I’ll say it until I’m blue in the face: 

I hate this! But hating it doesn’t change the hard facts.

Now, this response doesn’t even cover that a close friend of MXTX’s went missing at the same time, and indeed another person was convicted with the parolee. Nor does it cover the Weibo records saying she did indeed publish illegally, but stopped once she realized it was illegal after the arrest of another danmei author, Xiansheng Shenhai. 

(In brighter news, Xiansheng Shenhai was recently released after the completion of her sentence.  She is publishing legally and doing well. I hope MXTX will do the same in due time).

That’s it for the fact check. What lies ahead is a genuine questions and a bit of a rant on my part. 

It’s genuinely distressing to me to see so many fans spreading false rumors that are gobbled up because people want to believe them. 

MXTX is a genius author and content creator, yes, but she’s also a human being who was imprisoned for doing nothing immoral or bad. And I hate it, but...

In all honesty, how does spreading easily debunked rumors help?

Like, I don’t think shouting her tribulations from the rooftops is helpful – it’s cruel, stupid, and I do worry it will negatively impact her reputation or worse, her mental and emotional health. But I fail to see how twisting the truth, omitting details, etc., is any more helpful. 

I know, it’s not deliberate. Chances are this person actually believes this timeline and wants to be helpful. But when I see antis mock fans like this for what they label “delusion”... I can’t believe it’s helpful.

Why can’t we just acknowledge the facts, hope for the best, and support her in whatever ways we can? Speaking of, what are the best ways to support her? 

I don’t know! I feel rather helpless. I first did my fact check to ascertain that she wasn’t in jail and wound up finding a very different, odious truth. 

Heck, if any of you have ideas or different perspectives or thoughts, let me know.

[fapangel]

D+22 (quick) General update

google docs

I have a hangover so this isn’t gonna be organized

Putin’s having a normal one. While a lot of people are indeed leaving Russia due to the escalating authoritarian crackdown the numbers aren’t necessarily significant given the country’s population. More important to ask is who is leaving – engineers? Scientists? People who have disproportionate impact on the nation’s economy and arms industry?

Putin has shitcanned several high-level leaders for incompetence and malfeasance. The latest one specifically for “squandering fuel.”

Third swimming pool struck by Russia. (Two seen, one reported.) Given these buildings are typically big and glass-sided they’re not very useful as defensive structures. Only explanation I have continues to be that they’re big sources of potable water.

More confirmation of units being pulled from South Ossetia. [2]

More sightings of Ukrainians in, and still holding Moshchun.

First sighting of improvised armor on an MLRS vehicle. This demonstrates one downside of Russia’s truck-based MLRS – while they’re lightweight, fast and easy to transport they carry little to no armor protection and are very vulnerable to counterbattery or even just small arms.

Note that Pryluky this is a solid 100km east of Kiev. A good example of how Russia’s taking attrition due to that very long line of communication. Note this was a military convoy and they were paying attention; that MRAP’s windows were open so soldiers could fire out and the MRAP managed to get off the road before it was knocked out. This is the consequences of not having some defensive depth south of their main supply route; it’s in range of enemy patrols and SOF ambushes along its entire length.

More examples of how Ukraine is employing anti-vehicle mines. For the most part they seem to be using them at the squad/platoon level to enhance local defense or as part of ambushes; not as big monolithic area-denial weapons. Date in the first video is the 16th but I’m really unsure on the location; place-name similarities are causing problems again.

Russian forces capturing mud-bogged Ukrainian IFV. They’re rigging a tow with a tank; looks like tracks are fine there but wheels aren’t. Good example of how General Mud restrains both side’s ability to maneuver offroad.

No worries, that BTR has already been replaced by another marauding tractor.

First confirmed TB-2 loss. Given we’re 20+ days in, and likely a high sortie rate, these are proving to have a pretty good kill ratio.

Russian helo pilots are now lofting rockets at areas from long range instead of approaching to actually put warheads on foreheads with anything approaching accuracy. If the location tag is accurate this also confirms ongoing fighting at Popansa, 35km south of Severodonetsk and commanding the eastern side of the Severodonetsk salient. (Only a single geolocated incendiary attack near here was previously seen.)

If Russian tactical aviation dares not get close to their intended targets its going to severely restrict their usefulness. If they had sufficient air-launched ATGMs or other light standoff missiles (Hellfireski etc.) they’d be using them, not doing this.

Apparently Russians have been seeing doing this before in Syria.

I hereby dub this maneuver the “Blyat Loop.”

Official footage released by Russia’s MoD showing drone-spotted artillery strikes seem to have one common theme – their drone’s optical sensor resolution is absolute dogshit: [1] [2] [3] The last one is especially telling; it looks like they’re operating at very high altitude (perhaps to avoid MANPADS) and just dropping bombs on wherever a lot of truck tracks meet, without being able to see if the trucks are actually still there or not. For a propaganda video, especially, you’d want to show actual vehicles getting blasted. The two Russian drone videos I linked the other day were also of this same poor quality and heavily chopped up (the strike on Ukrainian BMPs was damn near a .gif with only two frames.)

I conclude the ISR value of Russian drones are most likely inferior to whatever Ukraine has been gifted, purchased, or built homewbrew. Given Ukraine was still the primary military electronics supplier for Russia until Russia attacked them in 2014 this is perhaps unsurprising.

There’s no credible intelligence reason to deliberately degrade these images. These aren’t 100 million dollar Global Hawk drones; these things are affordable and also attritable (i.e. it’s expected they’re going to have pieces falling into enemy hands semi-regularly.)

I have been reliably informed before that Russia’s optical sensors (thermal and NV) are considered poor by the standards of the West’s cutting edge stuff. Now there seems to be some empirical evidence to demonstrate that.

More stuff to talk about but it has some operational significance that I need to think about instead of just yeeting it out.

[aux1]

I’m not surprised how Volition is already mishandling the new Saints Row. They have a history of screwing things ups.

They released Red Faction: Guerilla. A game that was received very well and was considered by most to be the best Red Faction game to date. It was an open world, third person, action game with a lot of destructible environments. So what did they do with the next Red Faction game after that? They went back to linear level design and the game flopped.

They released Saints Row 3. A game that changed the series a bit, but definitely added better gameplay than the previous games. So what does Volition do for part 4? Instead of releasing a whole new game, they essentially release what is a large DLC for part 3...and pretend it’s a sequel.

After that, do they release Saints Row V? Nope, instead they put out some weird hybrid of Overwatch and Crackdown that was super repetitive and something no one asked for. And it was called Agents of Mayhem.

And now here we are today. Are we finally getting Saints Row V? Nope, we are now getting a reboot. And now we have a gang made up of people that look like they work at a Starbucks. And one of their motivations for starting a gang is to pay back student loan debts? What? They are college students who just decided they were going to start a gang? Terrible, terrible premise.

If this reboot fails, I wonder how much longer Volition is going to be around.

[humanrightsupdates]

USA: Law enforcement violated Black Lives Matter protesters’ human rights, documents acts of police violence and excessive Force

Amnesty International USA Recorded 125 Separate Incidents of Police Violence Against Protesters, Medics, Journalists and Legal Observers in 40 States and D.C. During May and June Protests

The Report Chronicles the Stories of More Than 50 People Affected by Police Violence as Black Lives Matter Grows Into the Largest Social Movement in U.S. History

Today, Amnesty International USA released a report documenting widespread and egregious human rights violations by police officers against protesters, medics, journalists and legal observers who gathered to protest the unlawful killings of Black people by the police and to call for systemic reform in May and June of 2020. The report, The World is Watching: Mass Violations by US Police of Black Lives Matter Protesters’ Rights, builds on Amnesty’s interactive mapping of violence against protesters and new findings on the use of lethal force by the police. It is the most comprehensive human rights analysis of police violence against protesters to date.  

The research consisted of more than 50 interviews conducted by AIUSA over several weeks in June 2020 highlighting people’s experiences in the context of the protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd. It also offers recommendations for local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, government officials and Congress to comply with AIUSA’s best practices for policing protests; hold law enforcement accountable for human rights violations against protesters, journalists, medics and legal observers; and pass laws and policies to ensure the right to peacefully protest.

“The unnecessary and sometimes excessive use of force by police against protesters exhibits the very systemic racism and impunity they had taken to the streets to protest. The research shows that people who were simply exercising their human right to peacefully protest were met with such violence that they lost eyesight, survived brutal beatings, and suffered seizures and severe wounds,” said Ernest Coverson, Amnesty International USA’s End Gun Violence Campaign Manager.

“The Trump administration is now doubling down on military-style crackdowns against protesters, with Attorney General William Barr’s egregious defense of the use of federal troops in Portland and threats to deploy more agents to other cities. President Trump’s actions represent a slippery slope toward authoritarianism and must immediately stop. We need the country’s approach to the policing of protests to be changed from the ground up at the local, state, and federal levels,” said Justin Mazzola, a researcher at Amnesty International USA.

Intensive care nurse Danielle Meehan, who treated 26 year-old student Aubreanna Inda after she was hit in the chest with a flash grenade in Seattle:  At one point, Aubreanna Inda told her, “I feel like I am dying.” Danielle Meehan explained, “[She] lost her pulse 3-4 times after my medic partners and I started treating her. We resuscitated her each time with [cardiopulmonary resuscitation].”

Rabbinical student and protester Lizzie Horne recounted after the authorities pepper sprayed and tear gassed her and a large group of protesters who were trapped on an embankment of a highway in Philadelphia: “Out of the blue, they started breezing pepper spray into the crowd...then they started with the tear gas. Someone who was right in front --  had a tear gas canister hit his head and started running back. We were trying to help him, flushing his eyes and then he just fainted and started having a seizure.”

17 year-old Elena Thoman, who was tear gassed by the police in Denver, told AIUSA researchers: “At first it feels like the feeling when you’re chopping onions and then escalates to the point where your skin is burning...I had a lot of open skin and it was burning for an hour. It made me cough a lot -- I had to take my mask off because the mask had tear gas in it...so even though there is COVID, I had to take my mask off.”

NBC News photojournalist Ed Ou, after he and other journalists were attacked by police officers in Minneapolis: “They had enough time to shake the pepper spray and to spray it, despite me and others shouting, ‘Press, press,’ continually.” The group was corralled back into a dead end with nowhere to escape as the officers used batons to beat them and discharged grenades, tear gas, and pepper spray on them. His head was bleeding. Despite his repeatedly asking for help, several law enforcement officers walked past him offering no assistance. Ed Ou was treated at a nearby hospital, requiring four stitches for his head injury. “I’ve literally spent most of my career in places where being a journalist was something I had to hide and something I had to be careful about sharing. And this is one place where I should be able to proclaim this is what I do.”

Legal observer Jack*, who was beaten by the police in Chicago: “Three to four more officers who were behind me pulled me up onto a concrete barrier and threw me over onto a wheelchair ramp. I landed on my back and lost my hat. I was looking around when three or four other officers started hitting me with batons. Another protester tried to stop the police, and they started hitting him. People were yelling ‘legal observer’ as it was happening. I was crouched, trying to protect myself, and telling them, ‘I’m not resisting, I’m not resisting.’” - Amnesty International

[charlieoscardeltag-blog]

Crackdown 3 Hands-On: Just the Way We Remember It

Crackdown 3 Hands-On: Just the Way We Remember It

Crackdown 3 was announced in 2015, but there have been almost two years, and Sumo Digital was rather quiet about the game. However, after the incredible presentation at E3 2017, we can confirm that the newest installment in the wacky series will come out in the first part of 2018. Let’s take a look at what we can expect from Crackdown 3.

The Faith of the World Is Upon You

The plot is your typical…

[newstfionline]

Headlines

Pandemic and prisoners (The Verge) America’s failure to stop the virus from spreading in prisons is a key piece of its failure to contain the virus at large. Tens of thousands of people in prison have tested positive for the virus. From March through the beginning of June, the number of COVID-19 cases in US prisons grew at a rate of around 8 percent per day, compared to 3 percent in the general population. Of the top 20 largest disease clusters in the country, 19 are in prisons or jails.

Mexican beach resort tries to lure tourists back (Washington Post) CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico—This city was literally built for tourists: A blank expanse at the edge of the desert converted into a haven for gringos looking to get away. Now, Cabo is trying to lure them back—in the middle of one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks. Throughout the spring, this city’s tourism board, hoteliers and restaurateurs held panicked meetings. At what point would Californians and Texans want to fly south of the border? With high caseloads in those states, at what point should those tourists be encouraged to visit? At stake was nearly all of Cabo’s economy—80 percent, according to official statistics. Tourism is an economic engine for the country: It’s the third biggest contributor to GDP at nearly 9 percent. During the pandemic, that number dropped close to zero. International flights into Cabo—its main source of visitors—were down 93 percent from last summer. “It’s life or death for us,” said Rodrigo Esponda, the head of the Los Cabos tourism board. “There’s nothing else here. No industrial production. No farming or commercial fishing. It’s tourism or nothing.” “There are some residents who say, ‘Why put my family’s life in danger by inviting more visitors, restarting more flights?,’ ” said Luis Humberto Araiza López, tourism minister of Baja California Sur. “It’s a delicate line between trying to support public health and economic growth.” It’s a challenge at tourist spots across Mexico. In Cancún, the largest tourist destination in Latin America, the collapse of the tourism sector—along with other pillars have the economy—has led to concerns of a rise in extreme poverty and malnutrition. Last month, the United Nations said the economic collapse in Mexico could “compromise the health and nutrition of children.” Formal unemployment in the state of Quintana Roo, home to Cancún, has increased by 23 percent since the pandemic began. Experts say that number would be far higher if the informal sector were included.

In Mexico women inmates find education chance amid pandemic (AP) Prison inmates in Mexico have suffered from coronavirus infections at a higher rate than the country as a whole, and pandemic lockdowns have reduced their already limited contact with the outside world. But one group of women inmates at a prison west of Mexico City have managed to benefit, as the lockdown spurred a wave of professionals with time on their hands to donate online classes. The women prisoners at the Santiaguito prison have found online learning has opened a new world to them; chefs, writers and other professionals who once might have had a hard time physically visiting the prison, with its complex security filters, now are increasingly giving online classes to inmates. The prison is located in Almoloya de Juárez, near a separate maximum-security men’s facility where drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman escaped through a tunnel in 2015. Tatiana Ortiz Monasterio, founded the non-profit group “Plan B” two years ago to bring a sewing workshop, a library and classes to inmates. The Plan B foundation recently had the idea to launch a web page with the slogan “Donate an hour,” which has already received about 10,000 responses with proposals for classes.

Fad or future? Telehealth expansion eyed beyond pandemic (AP) Telehealth is a bit of American ingenuity that seems to have paid off in the coronavirus pandemic. Medicare temporarily waived restrictions predating the smartphone era and now there’s a push to make telemedicine widely available in the future. Consultations via tablets, laptops and phones linked patients and doctors when society shut down in early spring. Telehealth visits dropped with the reopening, but they’re still far more common than before. “I don’t think it is ever going to replace in-person visits, because sometimes a doctor needs to put hands on a patient,” said Seema Verma, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and the Trump administration’s leading advocate for telehealth. Caveats aside, “it’s almost a modern-day house call,” she added.

French virus surge threatens nationwide back-to-school plan (AP) Not all French classrooms can safely reopen Tuesday, the country’s education minister acknowledged Sunday, as a persistent rise in coronavirus infections jeopardizes the government’s push to get France’s 12.9 million schoolchildren back into class this week. Like many governments around the world, France and Britain want to reopen schools starting Tuesday to reduce the learning gaps between rich and poor students that were worsened by the virus lockdown this spring, and to get parents back to work and revive the ailing economy. With several thousand new infections now reported in France every day, Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper that some classes will remain closed when the nationwide reopening begins Tuesday, but “as few as possible.” With less than 48 hours to go before the first French school bells ring, he said openings and closures were “being decided by a day-by-day analysis based on the health situation of each territory.”

Belarus tightens grip on foreign media coverage as anti-government protests swell (Washington Post) Belarusian authorities Saturday launched a crackdown on international and local media, stripping accreditation from journalists and blocking several local media sites, as longtime authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko faces mass protests over the disputed presidential election. Authorities stripped the accreditation from 17 Belarusian journalists working for international media and blocked several local independent online media sites that have played a key role in reporting on the crisis. The moves against journalists triggered fears that Lukashenko may be planning harsh new measures to crush the peaceful protests, touched off by Lukashenko’s declaration of a landslide victory in Aug. 9 elections. Opposition groups and Western governments have rejected the election results. The decision to strip journalists’ accreditation was made by the Belarus Security Council commission on preventing terrorism and extremism, which gave no reason. It came after riot police rounded up dozens of local and international reporters Thursday, many of whom were later released. Some were held and charged with illegal assembly.

India records highest daily increase in virus cases globally (AP) India on Sunday registered a record new 78,761 coronavirus cases, the highest single-day spike in the world since the pandemic began, just as the government began easing restrictions to help the battered economy. The surge raised India’s tally to over 3.5 million, and came as the government announced the reopening of subway in capital New Delhi. It also moved ahead with limited sports and religious events from next month. A country of 1.4 billion people, India now has the fastest-growing daily coronavirus caseload of any country in the world. It has reported more than 75,000 infections for the fourth consecutive day. It has also had the highest single-day surge since Aug. 4. One of the reasons is testing: India now conducts nearly 1 million tests every day, compared with just 200,000 two months ago. A significant feature of India’s COVID-19 management, however, is the growing rate of recovered patients. On Sunday, the recovery rate reached nearly 76.5%.

Many Want to Be Japan’s New Leader. Do They Know What Awaits Them? (NYT) The Japanese economy has taken a historic nosedive. The coronavirus could yet rage out of control and force a second postponement of the Olympics. Chinese military aggression is rising in the region just as America, Japan’s closest ally, is embroiled in a polarizing presidential election. And those are just the immediate challenges for the politicians jockeying fiercely to replace Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is leaving office a year early with no obvious successor. In the longer term, Japan’s next leader faces the unfinished business of Mr. Abe’s promises to advance women in politics and the workplace, and to improve working conditions so that men can help more at home. The country is confronting labor shortages as it grapples with a shrinking population and a stubbornly low birthrate, as well as snags in bringing in foreign workers. With the highest proportion of elderly people in the world, Japan could soon struggle to meet pension obligations and provide health care to the aging public. Not to mention natural disasters turbocharged by climate change, Japan’s energy vulnerabilities from its post-Fukushima nuclear shutdown, the threat of missile attacks by North Korea, and a low ebb in relations with South Korea. “It makes me wonder why anybody would want to be prime minister,” said Jeffrey Hornung, an analyst at the RAND Corporation.

Beirut port blast death toll rises to 190 (Reuters) The death toll from this month’s Beirut port blast has risen to 190 with more than 6,500 injured and three people missing, Lebanon’s caretaker government said in a report dated Sunday. The Aug. 4 explosion left 300,000 people homeless and caused $15 billion in direct damage, said the report issued on Sunday by the presidency of the council of ministers. It said 50,000 houses, nine major hospitals and 178 schools had been damaged.