https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/story/millennial-disaster-preppers-survivalist

Despite being the somewhat crispied face of (extremely limited) unrest in Los Angeles in response to ICE activity, Waymo hasn’t suddenly decided it’s time to get snitchin’.

Waymo Tells Cops: ‘Get A Warrant’

Despite being the somewhat crispied face of (extremely limited) unrest in Los Angeles in response to ICE activity, Waymo hasn’t suddenly decided it’s time to get snitchin’. In fac…

^Techdirt

Slovakia is vetoing new Russia sanctions, again, while demanding more EU cash, despite corruption scandals.

Archived version: archive.is/20250912074352/euob…

Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.

Pro-Putin Slovak PM vetoes sanctions, wants more EU money

^{Andrew Rettman (EUobserver)}

One Jewish anti-genocide protester told cops they shouldn't be angry at protesters but at the government for criminalising protest

Jewish anti-genocide protester puts cops in their place

^{Ed Sykes (The Canary)}

Sian Berry spots outlawed cluster bombs on display at arms fair - but pensioners protesting genocide are the ones being dragged away by cops

Green MP spots banned cluster bombs at London arms fair - Canary

^{Joe Glenton (The Canary)}

Prince Harry made a surprise visit to Kyiv to support wounded service members and met with the Ukrainian prime minister, aiming to aid the country's recovery process.

Archived version: archive.is/newest/euronews.com…

Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.

Prince Harry visits Kyiv to support wounded Ukrainian soldiers

^Euronews.com

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/11/california-lawmakers-pass-bill-ban-ice-agents-wearing-masks-00559803

::: spoiler Comments
- Mastodon— post on Mastodon.
:::

Mastodon

2025-09-11 18:28:47

Today, we’re ready to show you the upcoming quote posts feature in more detail. We’ve put together a blog post with examples of how quote posts will work on Mastodon, ahead of early access on our own servers next week 💬 Full launch to come, in Mastodon v4.5

blog.joinmastodon.org/2025/09/…

Introducing quote posts

Over the years, we’ve learned just how essential quoting is to many of you. Here's a deep dive on how quote posts will work on Mastodon.

^{Mastodon Blog}

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/can-smartphone-overuse-really-rot-your-brain-180987329/

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/09/11/charlie-kirk-killing-hasan-piker-interview-00557837

Running a small business offers certain advantages that are not gained in large businesses or established corporations.

The professional patterns of people in this technological era, 2025, are changing a lot. In olden days, most people worked for daily wages, some people did business, and some others went for a traditional 9-to-5 job. In the past few years, most people chose 9-to-5 jobs, and some others chose to do business and daily work. But in today’s digitalized world, a major income source for most people has become a small business.

Not everyone starts a business with the motive of developing a business empire. But everyone aims at developing their business and remaining competitive in the business market. Starting a small business has become a mandatory factor for most people. It is a good point to hear. Being a small business owner has its own advantages as well as disadvantages. Let’s explore it in this blog.

What is a Small Business?

A small business is a work process that is owned by a single person and operates with fewer employees. The income generated here will be low when compared with that of the large-scale businesses. Small businesses usually focus on selling their products and services in local areas rather than doing so internationally.

In a small business, separate employees will not be allocated to do each activity. For example, the small business owner themselves may do the marketing work, invoicing process, accounting process, employee management, and sometimes even the production process.

Key Advantages of Small Business

1. Small Business Offers Customized Solutions

Consider an example. You are going to a large clothing shop to purchase a kurta set. You choose a dress, but you like to make small alterations in its design. But the customization facility is not offered at that shop. At the same time, you approach a small boutique and ask for the same alteration to the kurta set. Immediate alterations are made there as per the request. So, customized solutions can be offered by small businesses.

2. Appreciations for the Work Completed

The number of clients approaching the small business may be fewer, but the feedback shared by each of them gives more strength and energy to continue the business. But large businesses have a huge number of clients, and the appreciations given to them may not have as much effect.

3. Flexibility in Invoicing

Some large businesses' invoicing process will be like travelling through a rocky mountain. They can’t customize their invoices and steadily follow a single rule for the invoicing process. But small businesses can customize their invoices, set their own terms and conditions, etc., using the online invoicing software for small businesses.

4. Focused Precisions

Large businesses usually deal with multiple income streams. So, their focus would be on every field because their aim would be to expand the business even further. But small businesses will have one- or two-income streams, majorly one. So, their focus will be on a single path. So that excellent outcomes can be generated from them.

5. Client Relationship

The factor that takes place mostly in small businesses and rarely in large businesses is the relationship between the clients and the business. As the client’s expectations are clearly communicated and they are fulfilled by the small business, and engaging communication is maintained, a strong relationship will be maintained between the business and the clients.

6. Solo Decision-Making

If you’re running a small business, you’re the boss here, and you can make all the decisions regarding your business. Unlike large businesses, you don’t need to get approval from higher-level authorities for any changes, you don’t need to conduct multiple meetings to decide, etc. You, as a solo person, can make all the decisions.

Running a small business has numerous advantages, but if it does not operate well, it creates a chance to face failure also. Proper management is crucial here to succeed. If you wish to generate revenue, start a small business and become an independent person.

The professional patterns of people in this technological era, 2025, are changing a lot. In olden days, most people worked for daily wages, some people did business, and some others went for a traditional 9-to-5 job. In the past few years, most people chose 9-to-5 jobs, and some others chose to do business and daily work. But in today’s digitalized world, a major income source for most people has become a small business.

Not everyone starts a business with the motive of developing a business empire. But everyone aims at developing their business and remaining competitive in the business market. Starting a small business has become a mandatory factor for most people. It is a good point to hear. Being a small business owner has its own advantages as well as disadvantages. Let’s explore it in this blog.

What is a Small Business?

A small business is a work process that is owned by a single person and operates with fewer employees. The income generated here will be low when compared with that of the large-scale businesses. Small businesses usually focus on selling their products and services in local areas rather than doing so internationally.

In a small business, separate employees will not be allocated to do each activity. For example, the small business owner themselves may do the marketing work, invoicing process, accounting process, employee management, and sometimes even the production process.

Key Advantages of Small Business

1. Small Business Offers Customized Solutions

Consider an example. You are going to a large clothing shop to purchase a kurta set. You choose a dress, but you like to make small alterations in its design. But the customization facility is not offered at that shop. At the same time, you approach a small boutique and ask for the same alteration to the kurta set. Immediate alterations are made there as per the request. So, customized solutions can be offered by small businesses.

2. Appreciations for the Work Completed

The number of clients approaching the small business may be fewer, but the feedback shared by each of them gives more strength and energy to continue the business. But large businesses have a huge number of clients, and the appreciations given to them may not have as much effect.

3. Flexibility in Invoicing

Some large businesses' invoicing process will be like travelling through a rocky mountain. They can’t customize their invoices and steadily follow a single rule for the invoicing process. But small businesses can customize their invoices, set their own terms and conditions, etc., using the online invoicing software for small businesses.

4. Focused Precisions

Large businesses usually deal with multiple income streams. So, their focus would be on every field because their aim would be to expand the business even further. But small businesses will have one- or two-income streams, majorly one. So, their focus will be on a single path. So that excellent outcomes can be generated from them.

5. Client Relationship

The factor that takes place mostly in small businesses and rarely in large businesses is the relationship between the clients and the business. As the client’s expectations are clearly communicated and they are fulfilled by the small business, and engaging communication is maintained, a strong relationship will be maintained between the business and the clients.

6. Solo Decision-Making

If you’re running a small business, you’re the boss here, and you can make all the decisions regarding your business. Unlike large businesses, you don’t need to get approval from higher-level authorities for any changes, you don’t need to conduct multiple meetings to decide, etc. You, as a solo person, can make all the decisions.

Running a small business has numerous advantages, but if it does not operate well, it creates a chance to face failure also. Proper management is crucial here to succeed. If you wish to generate revenue, start a small business and become an independent person.

cross-posted from: sh.itjust.works/post/45874306

A bill introduced on Wednesday is calling for a congressional probe into the financial relationship between the MAGA mega-donor Peter Thiel and Jeffrey Epstein.

Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden, of Oregon, has demanded that the Treasury Department hand over documents related to the sex trafficker’s finances, which The New York Times revealed in June included $40 million in investments to a Thiel-backed firm.

Those investments in Valar Ventures, in 2015 and 2016, are now worth nearly $170 million and are reportedly the Epstein estate’s largest asset. Now, Wyden wants a closer look at how—and why—an alleged $1.5 billion moved between Thiel, Epstein, and 70 other “co-conspirators.”

Wyden, a 76-year-old ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, said such a bill is necessary because Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has refused to honor the committee’s requests to view Epstein-related financial documents in his possession.

"The basic question here is whether a bunch of rich pedophiles and Epstein accomplices are going to face any consequences for their crimes, and Scott Bessent is doing his best to make sure they won’t,” he said. “My head just about exploded when I heard Bessent say it wasn’t his department’s job to investigate these Epstein bank records.”
Wyden said he’s long believed that “following the money is the key to identifying Epstein’s clients as well as the henchmen and banks that enabled his sex trafficking network.”

His statement on Wednesday added, “It’s past time for Bessent to quit running interference for pedophiles and give us the Epstein files he’s sitting on.”

In addition to investigating Thiel, who is CEO of Palantir, Wyden said he hopes a congressional probe will uncover whether J.P. Morgan and other banks violated federal anti-money laundering laws.

A representative for Thiel, who Forbes estimates is worth $25 billion, did not respond to a request for comment. The 57-year-old has not publicly addressed his firm’s financial relationship with Epstein.

Republicans hold a three-seat voting majority in the Senate, meaning Wyden’s bill will require some GOP lawmakers to break with the party line to pass. Bessent, a Trump appointee, has not indicated that he plans to offer up documents freely to the committee and said last month that the Treasury Department does not possess the power to investigate. In that same spiel, he said it might have to investigate Wyden.

“Any law enforcement person who wants to come and see them, we hold them. Our job—we are not detectives. We collect them. It’s just like the—when we make payments, the Treasury, the Commerce Department, tells us to make a payment. We are a paymaster,” Bessent said. “Sen. Wyden’s rich... Sen. Wyden trades better than Paul Pelosi. He was up 125 percent and then 75 percent. So, I would—I’m not going to disclose anything because I’ve never looked, but I would guess there’s some stories on Sen. Wyden.”

Dem Orders Congressional Probe Into Epstein and Peter Thiel’s Relationship

If passed, the bill would require the Trump administration to hand over additional documents about the sex trafficker’s money trail.

^{Josh Fiallo (The Daily Beast)}

cross-posted from: sh.itjust.works/post/45874306

A bill introduced on Wednesday is calling for a congressional probe into the financial relationship between the MAGA mega-donor Peter Thiel and Jeffrey Epstein.

Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden, of Oregon, has demanded that the Treasury Department hand over documents related to the sex trafficker’s finances, which The New York Times revealed in June included $40 million in investments to a Thiel-backed firm.

Those investments in Valar Ventures, in 2015 and 2016, are now worth nearly $170 million and are reportedly the Epstein estate’s largest asset. Now, Wyden wants a closer look at how—and why—an alleged $1.5 billion moved between Thiel, Epstein, and 70 other “co-conspirators.”

Wyden, a 76-year-old ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, said such a bill is necessary because Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has refused to honor the committee’s requests to view Epstein-related financial documents in his possession.

"The basic question here is whether a bunch of rich pedophiles and Epstein accomplices are going to face any consequences for their crimes, and Scott Bessent is doing his best to make sure they won’t,” he said. “My head just about exploded when I heard Bessent say it wasn’t his department’s job to investigate these Epstein bank records.”
Wyden said he’s long believed that “following the money is the key to identifying Epstein’s clients as well as the henchmen and banks that enabled his sex trafficking network.”

His statement on Wednesday added, “It’s past time for Bessent to quit running interference for pedophiles and give us the Epstein files he’s sitting on.”

In addition to investigating Thiel, who is CEO of Palantir, Wyden said he hopes a congressional probe will uncover whether J.P. Morgan and other banks violated federal anti-money laundering laws.

A representative for Thiel, who Forbes estimates is worth $25 billion, did not respond to a request for comment. The 57-year-old has not publicly addressed his firm’s financial relationship with Epstein.

Republicans hold a three-seat voting majority in the Senate, meaning Wyden’s bill will require some GOP lawmakers to break with the party line to pass. Bessent, a Trump appointee, has not indicated that he plans to offer up documents freely to the committee and said last month that the Treasury Department does not possess the power to investigate. In that same spiel, he said it might have to investigate Wyden.

“Any law enforcement person who wants to come and see them, we hold them. Our job—we are not detectives. We collect them. It’s just like the—when we make payments, the Treasury, the Commerce Department, tells us to make a payment. We are a paymaster,” Bessent said. “Sen. Wyden’s rich... Sen. Wyden trades better than Paul Pelosi. He was up 125 percent and then 75 percent. So, I would—I’m not going to disclose anything because I’ve never looked, but I would guess there’s some stories on Sen. Wyden.”

Dem Orders Congressional Probe Into Epstein and Peter Thiel’s Relationship

If passed, the bill would require the Trump administration to hand over additional documents about the sex trafficker’s money trail.

^{Josh Fiallo (The Daily Beast)}

Senate Republicans used what is known as the nuclear option to break a Democratic blockade of President Trump’s nominees, weakening Congress’s vetting role.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/us/politics/senate-republicans-change-rules-nominees.html?unlocked_article_code=1.lU8.Gax9.zWInw5iv3ZMP

Of course, the main purpose of posts by Russian trolls is to incite arguments among different groups or ideologies: conservatives versus liberals, pro-life versus pro choice, pro-immigrant groups versus border wall enthusiasts, etc. Researchers say as outrageous as much of this content appears to be, Americans can’t help but to click.

After analyzing over 2,500 of these Russian posts, researchers discovered they generated clickthrough rates as much as nine times higher than the norm in digital advertising campaigns. In a rather poor reflection of human nature, it seems that controversy, lies, and fear mongering do very much equal clicks.

“We found that fear and anger appeals work really well in getting people to engage,” says lead author Chris Vargo, an assistant professor of Advertising, Public Relations and Media Design at CU Boulder, in a release.

This is the first ever study to examine the infamous Russian troll company known as the Internet Research Agency (IRA). Researchers based their work on posts and ads put online leading up to the 2016 presidential election, but these findings are still very relevant today.

Study: Russian Trolls Supremely Effective At Exploiting American Fear, Anger Online

After analyzing over 2,500 posts by Russian trolls, researchers discovered they generated clickthrough rates as much as nine times higher than the norm in digital advertising campaigns.

^{John Anderer (StudyFinds)}

by Nehemiah Frank and Ezekiel J. Walker
Sep 11, 2025

He also attacked civil rights leaders and the laws that reshaped the nation. “Clarence Thomas was a far better black role model to celebrate than Martin Luther King. Period. End of story. This guy is not worthy of a national holiday,” Kirk said.

At Turning Point USA’s America Fest in 2023, he went further: “MLK was awful. … We made a huge mistake when we passed the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s.”

Charlie Kirk Is Dead—But Black America Remembers His Racism

Charlie Kirk assassinated at Utah event; Black America recalls his racist words as nation confronts violence and division.

^{Nehemiah Frank (The Black Wall Street Times)}

cross-posted from: lemmy.ml/post/36023983

by Nehemiah Frank and Ezekiel J. Walker
Sep 11, 2025

He also attacked civil rights leaders and the laws that reshaped the nation. “Clarence Thomas was a far better black role model to celebrate than Martin Luther King. Period. End of story. This guy is not worthy of a national holiday,” Kirk said.

At Turning Point USA’s America Fest in 2023, he went further: “MLK was awful. … We made a huge mistake when we passed the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s.”

Peter Link

2025-09-11 23:46:43

Charlie Kirk Is Dead—But Black America Remembers His Racism

by Nehemiah Frank and Ezekiel J. Walker
Sep 11, 2025

He also attacked civil rights leaders and the laws that reshaped the nation. “Clarence Thomas was a far better black role model to celebrate than Martin Luther King. Period. End of story. This guy is not worthy of a national holiday,” Kirk said.

At Turning Point USA’s America Fest in 2023, he went further: “MLK was awful. … We made a huge mistake when we passed the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s.”

Charlie Kirk Is Dead—But Black America Remembers His Racism

Charlie Kirk assassinated at Utah event; Black America recalls his racist words as nation confronts violence and division.

^{Nehemiah Frank (The Black Wall Street Times)}

Ma Microsoft si rende per caso conto dei colmi e dei paradossi di cui è causa in questo mondo? Stavolta sembra una scemenza, ma giuro che non trovo veramente le parole giuste… Invece che ammettere che quella merda di Microsoft Teams (non che i loro altri software siano meglio eh, lo sappiamo, che siano essi […]

octospacc.altervista.org/2025/…

minioctt

2025-09-11 20:38:21

“Immagina essere nel team di Teams e ricevere una chiamata di team su Teams che il tuo team deve lavorare a Teams sul posto perché lavorare a Teams su Teams non è un buon modo per lavorare in team”

cornedbeefhashtags.tumblr.com/… — windowscentral.com/software-ap…
Ma Microsoft si rende per caso conto dei colmi e dei paradossi di cui è causa in questo mondo? Stavolta sembra una scemenza, ma giuro che non trovo veramente le parole giuste… Invece che ammettere che quella merda di Microsoft Teams (non che i loro altri software siano meglio eh, lo sappiamo, che siano essi indirizzati a consumatori o aziende) non funziona bene, fa schifo, è incoerente ovunque dentro, lagga, è troppo pesante, ha la UX peggiore di sempre, ha una UI che a lungo andare causa disturbi depressivi, manca di funzioni necessarie ma è pieno di quelle inutili (avranno preso ispirazione da Durov?), e non dico sistemarla così che anche gli altri possano smettere di soffrire, ma almeno usare qualcosa di meglio internamente… cacciano fuori la scusa che è meglio tornare in ufficio in presenza! 🤯

Non serve nemmeno una situazione buffa ipotetica come quella in questo esempio per capire quanto la situazione sia grave. Per fortuna, io non mi trovo ancora a dover usare abitualmente Sciordeams (solo qualche volta per l’università), ma è una magra consolazione, perché ho come il presentimento che ciò non sarà più vero nel momento in cui ahimè smetterò di fare la disoccupata… e poi, Microsoft ha deprecato Skype in favore di Teams da un po’, quindi veramente vogliono spingerlo anche sulla popolazione normale, non solo sugli stronzi che lavorano (o studiano) nell’informatica; nonostante il fatto che, anche se lo attivi con un account personale, volendolo usare per comunicazioni informali, ti spamma tasti di LinkedIn ovunque. (Vabbè che anche Skype negli ultimi anni, con Microsoft che ci ha tenuto le mani sopra, era diventato un troiaio spaccato con problemi di usabilità simili a Teams, credo, ma porca di quella troia, semmai cedetelo ad un’azienda terza o rendetelo open source!) 💣

A questo punto, ho una teoria; complottista, ma perfetta: Microsoft ha fatto apposta Teams tutto merdoso, così da essere pronta per il momento in cui avrebbe fatto questo studio interno come descritto nell’articolo sopra, per determinare che da remoto con strumenti come Teams si lavora male — perché tutte le più grandi aziende hanno questa smania intrinseca di riportare il lavoro in ufficio, e sfavorire quello remoto, per nessuna precisa ragione se non i dati ricavati da questi studi che sono sempre condotti secondo punti discutibili, e Microsoft è una grandissima azienda. Ma vabbè oh, per me ci sta pure l’andare in ufficio 3 giorni a settimana, non è questo il problema… IL PROBLEMA È CHE TEAMS È UN SOFTWARE DI MERDA, MAMMA MIA, BASTA, DEPRECATELO, LEVATELO DA MEZZO! (Ripeto, io non lo uso ancora abbastanza da soffrire direttamente così tanto a causa sua, ma sento di continuo storielle riguardo quanto faccia schifo… e già quelle mi bastano.) 🔪

#Microsoft #MicrosoftTeams #Teams #work

Microsoft mandates return to office — claims Teams and all remote work solutions are inferior

By 2026, staff near Microsoft offices must work onsite 3 days a week.

^{Sean Endicott (Windows Central)}