Karlsruhe (Germany) (AFP) – Germany's highest court on Tuesday threw out a case brought by two Yemenis seeking to sue Berlin over the role of the US Ramstein airbase in a 2012 drone attack, ending a years-long legal saga.

Plaintiffs Ahmed and Khalid bin Ali Jaber first brought their case to court in 2014 after losing members of their family in the strike on the village of Khashamir.

The case has since been through several German courts. But the Constitutional Court on Tuesday ultimately ruled that Berlin is not required to take action against such attacks, which were not judged to be in breach of international law.

Washington has for years launched drone strikes targeting suspected Al-Qaeda militants in Yemen, an impoverished country that has been torn by fierce fighting between its beleaguered Saudi-backed government and Iran-backed rebels.

The two Yemeni men, supported by the Berlin-based European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), had argued that Germany was partly responsible for the attack because the strike was aided by signals relayed via the Ramstein base in western Germany.

"Without the data that flows through Ramstein, the US cannot fly its combat drones in Yemen," the group said.

The ECCHR's Andreas Schueller argued that "the German government must put an end to the use of this base -- otherwise the government is making itself complicit in the deaths of innocent civilians".

The court found that Germany "does have a general duty to protect fundamental human rights and the core norms of international humanitarian law, even in cases involving foreign countries".

However, in order for this duty to be binding, there must be "a serious risk of systematic violation of applicable international law".

"Measured against these standards, the constitutional complaint is unfounded," the court said.

The ECCHR said the ruling had "failed to send a strong signal" and meant that "instead, individual legal protection remains a theoretical possibility without practical consequences".

However, Schueller said the verdict "leaves the door open for future cases".

"Violations of international law can be subject to judicial review, even if the court imposes high hurdles. This is an important statement by the Constitutional Court in these times," he said.

According to the ECCHR, the two Yemeni men were having dinner ahead of the wedding of a male family member in 2012 when they heard the buzz of a drone and then the boom of missile attacks that claimed multiple lives.

Their case against Germany was initially thrown out, before the higher administrative court in Muenster ruled in their favour in 2019.

However, the government appealed and a higher court overturned the decision in 2020, arguing that German diplomatic efforts were enough to ensure Washington was adhering to international law.

In a statement shared by the ECCHR, the two men called the ruling "dangerous and disturbing".

"(It) suggests countries that provide assistance to the US assassination programme bear no responsibility when civilians are killed. Our hearts are broken, and our faith in international law is shaken," they said.

The German government welcomed the ruling, which it said showed that Berlin had "a wide margin of discretion in assessing whether the actions of third states comply with international law".

"According to the ruling, the government has no fundamental duty to protect foreigners abroad who are affected by military action by third states if, in the government's assessment, these attacks are within the bounds of what is permissible under international law," the defence and foreign ministries said in a statement.

German court rejects Yemenis' claim over US strikes

^RFI

The matter made its way into the political discourse as the House Rules Committee considered the issue, after a failed attempt by the Democrats to force a vote in Congress on whether the Epstein files should be made public.

As one of the oldest standing committees in Congress, the group's key role concerns the flow of legislation to the House floor.

Khanna's amendment was in effect a procedural measure that was tacked on to the GENIUS Act, which relates to digital assets such as crypto currency. If the amendment had been passed, it would have forced Attorney General Pam Bondi to publish the Epstein documents on a "publicly accessible website."

Republicans Block Vote to Release Epstein Files

Republican lawmakers have blocked a move that could have forced President Donald Trump's administration to release the files on Jeffrey Epstein's investigation.

^{Chloe Mayer (Newsweek)}

today announced the global channel availability of up to 30TB Exos ®M and IronWolf® Pro hard drives. Built on Seagate’s Mozaic3+™ platform and powered by heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology, these drives are engineered to meet increasing demand for scalable, high-performance storage driven by the rise of AI deployments that are supplementing traditional enterprise infrastructure development.

Seagate Ships 30TB Drives to Meet Global Surge in Data Center AI Storage Demand | Seagate US

^Seagate

Microsoft’s “Digital Escort” Program Could Leave Sensitive Government Info Vulnerable to Espionage. Here’s What to Know.

• Chinese Tech Support: Microsoft is using engineers in China to help maintain the Defense Department’s computer systems — with minimal supervision by U.S. personnel.
• Skills Gap: Digital escorts often lack the technical expertise to police foreign engineers with far more advanced skills, leaving highly sensitive data vulnerable to hacking.
• Ignored Warnings: Various people involved in the work told ProPublica that they warned Microsoft that the arrangement is inherently risky, but the company launched and expanded it anyway.

Microsoft “Digital Escorts” Could Expose Defense Dept. Data to Chinese Hackers

The Pentagon bans foreign citizens from accessing highly sensitive data, but Microsoft bypasses this by using engineers in China and elsewhere to remotely instruct American “escorts” who may lack expertise to identify malicious code.

^ProPublica

https://apnews.com/article/vietnam-hanoi-motorcycles-pollution-29bf81ec6b7bad9e8a63bd636ea34d18

While we are all holding our breath for the possible initiatives against Israel that Kaja Kallas, the European High Representative for Foreign Affairs, could present on Tuesday (15 July) to the foreign affairs council, the lawyers of the JURDI Association (lawyers for the respect of international law), are taking action.

On Thursday, they will file an “action for failure to act” with the EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg against the EU Commission and Council for their failure to act on the crimes committed by the Netanyahu government in Gaza.

Lawyers file case against EU Commission and Council for 'failure to act' on Gaza genocide

Lawyers specialising in international law will file an “action for failure to act” with the European Court of Justice on Thursday for the inaction of the EU Commission and Council in the massacres perpetrated by the Netanyahu government.

^EUobserver

Just wanted to share a tool I came across recently youtubetotranscript.net/. It lets you paste any YouTube link and get a full transcript of the video (even long ones), which is super useful for:

• Note-taking from tutorials or lectures
• Quickly skimming long videos for key info
• Searching specific parts of interviews or reviews
• Accessibility / easier reading

No login, no ads, and works surprisingly fast. Great for when you don’t have time to watch a full video or just want the text version.

Has anyone tried similar tools? Would love to hear recommendations too!

i ran into a visibility issue when replying from mastodon to a pixelfed user’s followers-only post.

if a pixelfed user has a private account and makes a followers-only post, then a mastodon user (who follows them, but isn’t followed back) replies with the same followers-only visibility, the pixelfed user never sees it, even if they’re mentioned.

apparently this is because “followers-only” on mastodon only includes the sender’s own followers, not the post author or mentioned accounts. this makes cross-platform, non-mutual replies silently disappear.

anyone else think this should be addressed at the AP level? or is it something each app should patch separately (like a “followers + mentioned” visibility option)?

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Russia’s war against Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump and NATO chief Mark Rutte shake hands during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on July 14, 2025. Trump said the U.S. will send more weapons to Ukraine, signaling his growing impatience as Russia ignores his demands for a ceasefire and steps up its military campaign. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Trump threatens Russia with ‘severe’ tariffs if no Ukraine deal reached in 50 days. “We’re gonna be doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days. Tariffs that are about 100%, we call them secondary tariffs,” Donald Trump said in a joint press conference in the White House alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Patriot systems, missiles may arrive in Ukraine ‘within days,’ Trump says. When asked when certain weapons, including missiles to Patriot air defense systems, were expected to arrive in Ukraine, Trump responded by saying “a full complement with the batteries… We’re going to have some come very soon, within days.”

Germany says EU discussing ‘more than 3’ Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine. “From the EU perspective, the talks are about more than three Patriot systems for Ukraine,” a German government spokesperson said.

‘He wants to take all of it’ — Putin reportedly told Trump he’ll intensify eastern Ukraine offensive over next 2 months. Russian President Vladimir Putin told U.S. President Donald Trump that Moscow intended to continue offensive operations until it secured the full administrative borders of occupied Ukrainian regions.

Russia vows to ‘firmly defend’ interests in Baltic after Estonia HIMARS test. “The Baltic region is tense due to the aggressive policies of European coastal states,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going. Become a member today.

Ukraine contracts ‘tens of thousands’ interceptor drones. The technology is critical for Ukraine’s air defense as Russia’s aerial attacks have escalated significantly over the past few months

Zelensky announces next prime minister, launches government reshuffle. “I have proposed that Yuliia Svyrydenko lead the Government of Ukraine and significantly renew its work,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Zelensky hints prime minister Shmyhal may be appointed defense minister amid government reshuffle. “Denys Shmyhal’s extensive experience will definitely be valuable in the position of Ukraine’s defense minister,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Denmark to provide European-produced satellite communication services to Ukraine’s military. “Denmark has now contributed to strengthening Ukraine’s satellite-based communications in their defense against Russia. There is a very large potential in space-based solutions that can contribute to both Ukrainian, Danish, and European defense,” Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.

Slovakia hints it won’t block 18th sanctions package following EU assurances. Slovakia is likely to approve the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Russia following assurances provided by the bloc to Bratislava, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on July 14.

Read our exclusives

Ukraine war latest: Trump threatens Russia with ‘severe’ tariffs if no Ukraine deal reached in 50 days

The U.S. will impose “severe tariffs” on Russia unless it agrees to a deal on ending the war in Ukraine within 50 days, U.S. President Donald Trump said in his long-anticipated announcement on July 14.

Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Learn more

Editorial: Right now, Ukraine’s democracy risks a Russian-style backslide

While fighting a war of survival against Russia, Ukraine must not turn into its authoritarian neighbor. As Ukraine’s main independent English-language media outlet, we have a duty to acknowledge and expose this threat.

Photo: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

Learn more

Patriot missiles — what they are and why everyone wants them

The U.S.-made Patriot air defense system is one of the few in the world that defend against ballistic missiles, which Russia regularly launches against Ukraine, and which Israel and Iran traded salvos of last month.

Photo: Sam Yeh / AFP via Getty Images

Learn more

Growing pains: The lives of Ukrainian teenagers at war

Russia’s war has struck Ukrainian teens in a uniquely cruel way — already navigating the turbulence of adolescence, they also face the emotional and psychological scars the war continues to leave on them.

Photo: George Ivanchenko / The Kyiv Independent

Learn more

Human cost of Russia’s war

Russian drones strike Sumy, Kharkiv oblasts killing 1 person, injuring at least 21. Russian troops launched drone attacks on Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts on July 14, killing one person and injuring at least 21, local authorities reported.

Russian Mi-8 helicopter goes missing in Far East with 5 aboard. The aircraft had three crew members and two technicians on board, Russian pro-government media outlet Kommersant reported.

International response

Putin’s negotiator calls for ‘constructive dialogue’ as Trump shifts stance on Ukraine. “Constructive dialogue between Russia and the U.S. will always achieve more than the tired, destructive language of pressure,” Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, wrote.

Zelensky meets Trump’s envoy Kellogg in Kyiv. “We discussed the path to peace and what we can practically do together to bring it closer,” President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote.

Belarus shoots down Russian drone, Ukraine’s HUR claims. Russian Shahed-type drones regularly breach Belarusian airspace as they fly towards Ukrainian cities during mass attacks which have escalated significantly over recent weeks.

5 EU members reportedly unhappy with new Ukraine trade deal. “They believe that a new agreement within the framework of the (Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area) DCFTA could destabilize European markets,” a source present during an EU Agriculture Council meeting told European Pravda.

Opinions and insights

Beneath the problematic surface, the New York Times’ Kursk reporting reveals a deeper moral rot

In these fraught times, the New York Times has made a seemingly deliberate and very self-aware choice to paint a picture of this war without the understanding of who is in the right and who is in the wrong.

Photo: Tatyana Makeyeva / AFP via Getty Images

Learn more

5 ways the New York Times fails its readers in its most recent piece about Russia’s war

The New York Times’ recent feature detailing Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast presents a vivid, harrowing account of civilian suffering — it also twists the narrative.

Photo: Tatyana Makeyeva/AFP via Getty Images

Learn more

In other news

Ukraine’s new Liut ground drone ‘destroys‘ Russian position with machine gun, HUR claims in new video. The deployment took place in Sumy Oblast, a northeastern region bordering Russia that has recently faced renewed Moscow’s attempts to advance.

Ukraine’s economic crimes bureau remains leaderless amid government interference. Ukraine’s economic crimes agency is still without a head following a controversial selection process, raising fresh concerns about the government’s commitment to anti-corruption and international obligations.

The Kyiv Independent delivers urgent, independent journalism from the ground, from breaking news to investigations into war crimes. Your support helps us keep telling the truth. Become a member today.

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Clean room environments are critical in industries where airborne contaminants can compromise product quality or safety. Whether in semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology labs, or aerospace component assembly, the integrity of the environment is paramount. One often overlooked yet essential component in maintaining this integrity is the computing hardware used in these spaces. Traditional PCs with fans introduce risks that can undermine the sterile or particle-controlled nature of clean rooms. Enter fanless industrial PCs—a revolutionary solution tailored for such sensitive applications.

The Nature of Clean Room Requirements

Clean rooms operate under stringent regulations to control particulate matter, humidity, temperature, and other variables. Classification systems like ISO 14644-1 define how many particles are permitted per cubic meter of air. Even a minor fluctuation can lead to contamination that disrupts operations or damages products. Equipment introduced into these environments must therefore be designed to minimize any particle emissions, vibrations, or thermal disruptions. Standard computers, with their mechanical cooling systems, are ill-suited for such settings.

Most conventional PCs rely on fans to dissipate heat generated by internal components. While effective at cooling, these fans can become liabilities in clean rooms. They draw in ambient air, which may contain microscopic contaminants, and then circulate it within and beyond the chassis. Over time, this airflow can stir up settled particles or introduce new contaminants into the sterile environment. Additionally, fan motors generate vibration and noise, both of which can interfere with precision equipment or testing. One way to avoid this issue is by using a Fanless Industrial PC, which eliminates the need for airflow while enhancing system stability and cleanliness.

Why Fanless Design Matters

Fanless industrial PCs address these challenges by utilizing passive cooling systems. These designs often involve heatsinks, conductive chassis materials, and optimized internal layouts to manage thermal loads without requiring airflow. The result is a completely sealed system that does not move air—and, by extension, does not move particles. This inherently reduces the risk of contamination, making fanless PCs ideal for use in clean rooms where every particle counts.

Beyond eliminating airborne contaminants, fanless PCs are typically housed in sealed enclosures that offer additional protections. These enclosures are resistant to dust, moisture, and chemical exposure, which are not uncommon in clean room processes. The lack of vents and moving parts means these systems can be sterilized or wiped down more easily without compromising internal components. This adds a layer of hygiene and reliability that traditional systems simply can't match. Among the most advanced solutions available today is the BEDROCK R8000, which delivers exceptional thermal performance in a fully enclosed, fanless chassis.

Enhanced Reliability and Longevity

One of the most compelling benefits of fanless industrial PCs is their durability. Without fans, there are fewer moving parts that can fail. This translates to longer operational lifespans and reduced maintenance needs—an essential advantage in environments where downtime is costly or logistically difficult. Sealed designs also prevent dust and debris from accumulating on internal components, preserving performance and minimizing thermal degradation over time.

When integrated into clean room workflows, fanless PCs contribute significantly to operational efficiency. Their silent operation ensures that they do not interfere with acoustic-sensitive equipment or create auditory distractions. Their thermal efficiency supports consistent performance even under continuous load. For industries where data acquisition, process control, and environmental monitoring are crucial, these PCs provide a dependable backbone without introducing new variables.

Many modern clean room facilities are now choosing fanless systems specifically designed for such environments. For instance, a high-quality fanless industrial PC offers not just fanless design but also a compact form factor, wide operating temperature range, and industrial-grade components. These features make them suitable for wall or panel mounting, freeing up workspace and further reducing contamination risks. They also support industrial protocols and real-time operating systems essential for precision control. Another excellent option for such requirements is the BEDROCK R8000, which combines ruggedness and computing power in one reliable platform.

Modular Efficiency Using i.MX8 SOM

The integration of modular components like the i.MX8 SOM brings additional versatility. This system-on-module platform allows for custom configurations that meet specific clean room demands, from processing power to connectivity. It also supports advanced graphical interfaces and machine learning applications, which are increasingly prevalent in automated lab environments. Its low power consumption and passive cooling features align perfectly with clean room standards.

Conclusion

Fanless industrial PCs are transforming the way sensitive industries approach computing within clean room environments. Their passive cooling systems, sealed enclosures, and robust performance make them an indispensable part of contamination-sensitive operations. These systems don't just improve environmental safety—they also enhance operational efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure.

Moreover, the flexibility of integrating components like the i.MX8 SOM allows industries to tailor computing solutions to highly specific clean room applications. Whether it's controlling laboratory automation, facilitating real-time data acquisition, or supporting machine learning models for diagnostics, fanless systems are more than up to the task.

As technologies like the BEDROCK R8000 and i.MX8 SOM continue to evolve, we can expect even more tailored solutions that marry high performance with environmental integrity. The growing demands of clean room industries—from semiconductor fabrication to biotechnology—require nothing less than uncompromised reliability and innovation. For industries where cleanliness isn't just preferred but mandatory, fanless PCs aren't just a smart choice—they're the only choice.

i.MX8 SOM: Smart, Scalable Embedded System Module

Explore SolidRun’s iMX8 SOM solutions built on the i.MX8 family—ideal for industrial IoT, AI, and multimedia applications. Discover reliable edge performance.

^{Jake Jones (SolidRun)}

WeTransfer has announced a change in its Terms & Conditions at WeTransfer, however, which formally comes into effect in August. There’s a paragraph under the heading of ‘Content’, clause 6.3, that might generate some concern among its users.

You hereby grant us a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, sub-licensable license to use your Content for the purposes of operating, developing, commercializing, and improving the Service or new technologies or services, including to improve performance of machine learning models that enhance our content moderation process, in accordance with the Privacy & Cookie Policy. Such license includes the right to reproduce, distribute, modify, prepare derivative works based upon, broadcast, communicate to the public, publicly display, and perform Content. You will not be entitled to compensation for any use of Content by us under these Terms.

WeTransfer updates T&Cs, allows it to use your data to train AI

The WeTransfer service, used by creatives to transfer their work, is the latest to want to use your work to train AI models. More here.

^{Simon Brew (Film Stories)}

The emergence of drone technology has transformed the aviation landscape, paving the way for new applications across industries such as agriculture, logistics, surveillance, mapping, and infrastructure monitoring. However, the rapid rise in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations has introduced significant challenges in airspace management. To address this, Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems have become an essential part of ensuring the safe and efficient integration of drones into national airspace. A new study by Report offers an in-depth analysis of the UTM market, examining its current growth trajectory, technological advancements, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

As per MRFR Analysis, the Global Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) Market was valued at USD 1.61 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 9.72 Billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 19.7% from 2025 to 2034.

The study highlights that the exponential increase in drone usage is a primary driver behind the growth of the UTM market. From parcel deliveries by e-commerce giants to agricultural crop monitoring and emergency response operations, UAVs are playing a pivotal role in transforming how services are delivered. However, with more drones taking to the skies, there is a growing need for robust systems that can manage multiple aircraft simultaneously, avoid collisions, and ensure coordination with manned aviation operations. UTM systems are designed specifically to address these needs by enabling real-time tracking, route planning, and traffic conflict resolution.

One of the key growth factors emphasized in the report is the proactive role played by government agencies and aviation regulatory bodies. Organizations such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are spearheading the development and deployment of UTM frameworks. Programs like the FAA’s UTM Pilot Program and NASA’s UTM research initiatives are laying the groundwork for future airspace integration. These regulatory efforts are aimed at creating standardized protocols for safe UAV operations, including remote identification, geo-fencing, and no-fly zones. Such initiatives are expected to fuel market adoption as they bring legal clarity and operational confidence to drone operators.

According to the study, technological advancements are rapidly shaping the UTM landscape. Modern UTM systems leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, cloud computing, and 5G connectivity to deliver high-performance capabilities. AI-powered algorithms help predict flight paths, detect potential conflicts, and recommend alternative routes in real time. Cloud-based platforms enable centralized data sharing and communication between drones, operators, and air traffic control. The adoption of 5G ensures faster data transmission, low latency, and seamless communication, which are essential for real-time traffic management. These innovations are making UTM systems smarter, more scalable, and more responsive to dynamic aerial conditions.

Israel's military said it struck on Monday several tanks in the Suweida province of southern Syria, where dozens have been killed in clashes between Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters.

The military struck "several tanks a short while ago in the area of Sami village (in the Suweida region) in southern Syria. To be continued", the military's Arabic language spokesman Avichay Adraee posted on X.

The announcement comes after reports that six members of Syria's security forces deployed to halt deadly sectarian clashes were killed in the predominantly Druze city of Suweida, a security source told Reuters.

Sunday's fighting between Druze militiamen and Bedouin tribal fighters was the first time that sectarian violence erupted inside the city of Suweida itself, following months of tensions in the province.

The death toll from the ongoing clashes has risen to 89, according to one Syrian monitor but The New Arab could not verify the figure.

https://www.newarab.com/news/israel-bombs-tanks-syrias-suweida-province-amid-clashes

Christopher Dalby (aka Robonuggie) is one of the most significant and prolific video contributors to FreeBSD. To date, he’s published over 500 videos, covering a vast range of topics and providing important information for both beginners (with tutorials, walkthroughs, etc.) and those looking to delve deeper into the subjects he addresses. Many people I’ve spoken with have confirmed they started exploring FreeBSD thanks to him and his videos.

The entire FreeBSD community is grateful to him, and I’m happy to share his latest video, “What Can You Do With FreeBSD?“

youtube.com/watch?v=_iCr6KMEbG…

On a recent episode of the Dot Social podcast, John O'Nolan of Ghost said;

"For the size of the group [working on federating long form articles], which as you say is not large, man, we are spread across Mastodon DMs sometimes, an email thread other times, a Discord backchannel on the other hand, it's all over the place. We could get more organised here I think, but it's a start."

@johnonolan@mastodon.xyz, 2025

flipboard.video/w/g8BgnihyFkMs…

The fragmentation of dev discussions is something I hear about a lot lately. Forum federation could be a solution!

Imagine every federated software project has its own forum space. Smaller projects might be content with a dedicated category on a community-hosted dev forum. More well-resourced projects might host their own instance of Discourse or NodeBB or whatever suits them.

Cross-project forums like SocialHub can then have a dedicated category for each software they know about, and use forum federation to sync that with the home forum space preferred by that project.

Eg the Discourse category on SocialHub is synced with the ActivityPub tag on meta.discourse.org. Any post in that SH category appears on Meta with that tag, and vice-versa.

With enough careful plumbing, that solves the fragmentation of public dev discussion across forums. But a lot of potentially insightful chats start in micro-posting threads. Adding a limited ability to start a new forum topic, by mentioning the relevent category or tag actor (eg @discourse@socialhub.ActivityPub.rocks), could bring those in too.

However, most of the examples John gives are private chats (fedi DMs, email, Discord, etc). I encourage devs to gird their loins and apply the 'release early, release often' principle to dev chat. Make public the default for dev chatter, unless it really is sensitive.

That said, with some careful work, support could be added for federating private conversations between forums too. Ideally in a way where AP actors could be included, that automatically open the chat to trusted groups.

Discourse Meta

Learn about and discuss Discourse, the next-generation open-source forum software.

^{Discourse Meta}

Flipboard Video

2025-06-27 20:34:40

Rediscovering the Magic of the Blogosphere, with John O’Nolan and Matthias Pfefferle

Social networks were built on short posts designed for speed and scale. But what if the next era of the web was built for something deeper?

Two of the social web’s “longformers” are working on this. John O’Nolan, the founder and CEO of Ghost, and Matthias Pfefferle, the developer behind the ActivityPub plugin for WordPress, are at the forefront of integrating social features with blogs, newsletters, essays — anything that doesn’t fit in a box of 500 characters or less.

In this episode of Dot Social, they talk with Flipboard CEO Mike McCue about rediscovering the magic of the blogosphere; why formatting, identity, and interoperability are tricky problems to solve; and where writing belongs in the next chapter of the internet.

Highlights of this conversation:
1:24 Why should writers and bloggers care about this topic?
8:35 How the plugin has been received
12:15 Building social into blogs
17:35 Will this increase discovery?
20:15 Models for discovery
23:03 Tumblr in its heyday and status of integration
25:17 How they’re thinking about AT Proto
33:20 Thoughts on bridging
37:16 Core principles around integrating long-form content into protocol
44:06 Leveraging lessons from email?
46:16 Need for collaboration
49:10 Rough edges
52:50 New experiences

Mentioned or related to this episode:
- Julian Lam of Node BB nodebb.org/
- “Digital Sovereignty Is the New Influencer Status, with Citation Needed's Molly White” dot-social.simplecast.com/epis…
- “Steps Forward in Long-form Text” socialwebfoundation.org/2025/0…

🔎 You can find John at john.onolan.org/ and Matthias at pfefferle.dev/.
✚ You can connect with Mike McCue at @[url=https://flipboard.social/users/mike]Mike McCue[/url] and @mmccue.bsky.social.
🌊 Catch the wave! Surf the social web and create your own custom feeds at surf.social, a new beta from the people at Flipboard. about.surf.social/

Matthias Pfefferle

Webworker, podcaster and blogger, advocate of the #openweb and citizen of the @indieweb and the @fediverse, working on #activitypub & @IndieWeb for @WordPress

^{pfefferle.dev}

Original Article by Ernesto Van der Sar, TorrentFreak.

A coalition of nearly 50 record labels, including industry giants Warner and Sony, accuse Internet provider Altice of providing a safe haven for pirates. The companies request summary judgment in their ongoing lawsuit, arguing that Altice's repeat infringer policy is a "farce" and the "antithesis of reasonable." The ISP allegedly allowed piracy to flourish on its Optimum network, thus disqualifying it from safe harbor protection under the DMCA.

late 2023, a group of nearly 50 music labels, including Warner Records and Sony Music, filed a ‘mass-infringement’ lawsuit against Altice.

These music companies, all members of the RIAA, alleged that the ISP failed to take action against repeat infringers on the “Optimum” network, making it potentially liable for copyright infringement.

“Despite Altice’s stated policies and despite receiving tens of thousands of infringement notices concerning Plaintiffs’ works […] Altice knowingly permitted repeat infringers to continue to use its services to infringe,” the complaint read.

Labels Seek Summary Judgment

Both parties have gathered evidence to support their case and last week the music labels filed a motion for summary judgment. The labels ask the court to rule that Altice is not entitled to a safe harbor defense under the DMCA.

Safe harbor protection is important for ISPs, as it provides them with immunity from monetary damages related to subscribers’ piracy activities carried out through their services.

To enjoy safe harbor protection, U.S. law requires ISPs to “adopt and reasonably implement” a repeat infringer policy that provides for subscriber account terminations “in appropriate circumstances.” The details of this requirement are not spelled out, but the labels argue that Altice’s interpretation falls severely short.

‘A Safe Haven for Pirates’

Last week’s filing by the labels is heavily redacted, which makes it difficult to report on in detail. However, it is clear that the music companies see Altice’s repeat infringer policy as highly ineffective, or even counterproductive.

“First and foremost, the design and implementation of Altice’s policy are the antithesis of reasonable, making a farce of the DMCA’s repeat infringer termination policy requirement,” the labels write.

The details explaining how and why Altice’s implementation of the repeat infringer policy was lacking are largely blacked out, as shown below.

The implementation of this policy wasn’t reasonable either, the labels argue. They allege that subscriber accounts were not terminated resulting in a permanent loss of internet access, but were suspended and eventually reactivated.

That doesn’t square with the idea of a reasonably implemented repeat infringer policy, the labels argue. Instead, they counter that Altice offered a safe haven for pirates.

“The result of Altice’s actions, both by design and effect, was to provide its users with a safe haven to infringe,” the labels write.

“Ultimately, [a]n ISP cannot claim the protections of the DMCA safe harbor provisions merely by terminating customers as a symbolic gesture before indiscriminately reactivating them within a short timeframe.”

Reactivations & Commercial Subscribers?

The motion insists that these arguments are sufficient to rule that Altice is ineligible for safe harbor protection. If the court disagrees, the labels mention specific circumstances for which this would certainly be the case.

The two categories are redacted in the motion, but, based on the arguments and citations, we can speculate that commercial subscribers and reactivated subscribers are likely candidates.

The motion notes that commercial subscribers represented roughly 7.5-8% of the Altice subscriber base between 2020 and 2023. For these subscribers, which include third-party businesses, Altice purportedly had no repeat infringer policy.

In a similar vein, the unredacted context suggests that Altice should not be entitled to rely on a safe harbor defense for customers who continued to infringe after their accounts were terminated and then reactivated.

Clarity from the Supreme Court?

In addition to this motion for summary judgment, the labels also moved for summary judgment on their ownership of the works in suit. This appears to be a response to a completely sealed motion filed by Altice which concerned the number of statutory damages awards the labels are eligible for.

Without further details, it is nearly impossible to accurately report on these filings, but we expect that the eventual court order will fill in many of the blanks.

Looking more broadly, there’s also a forthcoming Supreme Court matter that will have repercussions for this case. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court granted Cox’s appeal in a similar subscriber liability case, which is expected to provide more clarity on ISPs’ legal obligations regarding repeat infringer policies.

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A copy of the music labels’ heavily redacted motion for summary judgment on Altice’s safe harbor defense, filed at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, is available here (pdf).

Shortly after the motion was filed, several replies also appeared in the docket, but these are all sealed and inaccessible.

Sono trascorsi quasi quarant'anni dalla sua prima pubblicazione "Hangin' Around the Observatory" targata 1974, in mezzo ci sono vent'uno dischi, alcuni memorabili come Bring the Family del 1987 e il successivo Slow Turning del 1988, altri ottimi come Perfectly Good Guitar, Crossing Muddy Waters, Master of Disaster e The open Road, alcuni sufficienti, tra gli ultimi Same Old Man del 2008... Leggi e ascolta...

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2025-07-15 08:49:09

John Hiatt - Mystic Pinball (2012)

Sono trascorsi quasi quarant'anni dalla sua prima pubblicazione “Hangin' Around the Observatory” targata 1974, in mezzo ci sono vent'uno dischi, alcuni memorabili come Bring the Family del 1987 e il successivo Slow Turning del 1988, altri ottimi come Perfectly Good Guitar, Crossing Muddy Waters, Master of Disaster e The open Road, alcuni sufficienti, tra gli ultimi Same Old Man del 2008. Ora, dopo la sua ultima prova Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns dell'anno scorso, disco che non ho avuto il piacere di ascoltare, ritorna con questo Mystic Pinball ed è ancora buona musica... artesuono.blogspot.com/2014/11…

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Ascolta: album.link/i/1436912606

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Home – Identità DigitaleSono su: Mastodon.uno - Pixelfed - Feddit

John Hiatt - Mystic Pinball (2012)

di Silvano Bottaro Sono trascorsi quasi quarant'anni dalla sua prima pubblicazione "Hangin' Around the Observatory" ta...

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https://apnews.com/article/tesla-india-mumbai-ev-cars-5699547c6b70fefa9cc19b3f90c85217

cross-posted from: lemmy.world/post/32950358

IndustryStandard

2025-07-14 11:19:46

r/israel in meltdown over Superman movie