🌉California Cities Are Massively Deploying License Plate Recognition Cameras Amid Growing Federal Surveillance

Cities in California are rapidly expanding their networks of automatic license plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. While federal agencies are ramping up their mass surveillance capabilities, local authorities are installing thousands of new readers under the guise of fighting crime. The technology records the movements of every vehicle, creating a detailed map of citizens' movements without warrants or judicial review.

Data from the cameras is stored in shared databases accessible to law enforcement agencies at all levels. Private companies operating the systems profit by selling access to information on the movements of millions of people. Civil rights activists point to a lack of transparency: citizens don't know who, when, or why is tracking their routes. There are no mechanisms for deleting data on innocent people.

Republicans in the state criticize the expanded surveillance as a threat to the Fourth Amendment, but the Democratic majority is promoting the programs under the guise of security. The technology operates 24/7, turning every trip into a record for potential use against the vehicle owner. The question isn't whether you're being spied on - the question is who else will have access to that data tomorrow.

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Strava hidden popular annual report behind an $80 subnoscription

The workout tracking app Strava has blocked access to its most viral feature, the annual "Year in Sport" report. Users can now view their year-end stats only after signing up for an $80 annual subnoscription. Previously, this feature was available to everyone for free and became a major talking point on social media every December.

The company's decision sparked a wave of discontent among users. Many had used the app for years specifically for this report, sharing their results with friends and motivating themselves to achieve new milestones.

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A Vanilla gift card expired immediately after activation—the company refused a refund.

A Canadian resident received a $100 Vanilla prepaid card as a gift. Immediately after activation, he discovered a $97 charge in Dubai—even though the cardholder was located in Canada and hadn't made any purchases. He contacted customer support, and an investigation was opened.

The review took 90 days. Result: the company closed the case, declaring the transaction legitimate. The money was not refunded and no explanation was provided. The resident was essentially left without a gift and without the opportunity to challenge the obvious fraud.

The editors remind everyone of the importance of checking gift cards before purchasing.
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Texas sues Epic Systems for monopoly in medical IT systems market

The Texas Attorney General has accused Epic Systems of illegally monopolizing the electronic medical records market. The company controls approximately 80% of patient management systems in major US hospitals. According to the state, Epic abuses its dominant position by imposing unfavorable terms on hospitals, blocking integration with competitors, and preventing them from switching to alternative platforms. The result is inflated prices for hospitals and limited choice for physicians.

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A subscriber from the US has accumulated $1 million by age 35 and plans to retire at age 45.

This US resident reached $1 million in net worth by age 35. His portfolio includes a rental property with $198,000 in equity and a cash flow of $1,100 per month, a homeowner with $155,000 in equity, retirement accounts worth $392,000, a brokerage account worth $177,000, and $61,000 in cash. His property is promised to be secured by a mortgage with an annual interest rate below 3%—a rarity after rising rates.

He saves approximately $80,000 annually and aims for financial independence by age 45. The FIRE movement—Financial Independence, or "Retire Early"—is gaining momentum among those who don't want to work until old age in a system where the retirement age is constantly being pushed back and inflation is eroding savings. Low mortgage rates give him an advantage: refinancing is currently unprofitable, and rental income limits expenses and generates profits.

This story demonstrates that exiting the labor force is possible without spending billions—all it takes is discipline, smart investments, and a rejection of the consumer race. For the conservative investor, this is a reminder: real estate with fixed, low rates and a diversified portfolio are reliably protected from market volatility.

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A new magnetic shielding concept will protect electronics from interference

Researchers have developed a device concept capable of shielding electronics from destructive magnetic fields. The technology works similarly to an invisibility cloak, but deflects magnetic waves instead of light. This could solve a long-standing problem for sensitive equipment in medicine, military equipment, and scientific laboratories.

Currently, massive metal shields, which are expensive and bulky, are used to protect against magnetic interference. This new approach allows for the creation of compact and lightweight protective shells. This is especially critical for MRI scanners, quantum computers, and navigation systems, where even weak magnetic fields distort results or damage microchips.

This is currently a concept, not a finished product. However, if the technology reaches mass production, it will reduce the cost of shielded electronics and pave the way for more precise medical devices.

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❗️Google and Apple have warned employees with visas not to travel abroad.

The largest US tech companies are recommending that foreign employees with work visas refrain from international travel. This is due to the increasing unpredictability of immigration policy and the risk of being unable to return to work due to changes in entry regulations.

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Meta Smart Glasses and Total Video Surveillance: How to Protect Your Face from Recognition

Ray-Ban Meta glasses with cameras are spreading around the world, turning every passerby into a potential hidden camera operator. Facial recognition technology operates in real time, collecting data on movements, habits, and contacts without consent. Protecting privacy in public spaces is no longer a theoretical matter; it has become a pressing need for those who want to avoid being included in corporate and government databases.

Existing countermeasures include special clothing with IR-reflective elements, makeup and accessories that distort facial geometry for algorithms, masks, and hats. Legal protection is virtually nonexistent: filming in public spaces is legal in most jurisdictions, and tech giants lobby to maintain the status quo. Right-wing conservatives rightly see this as a threat to individual freedoms and privacy—fundamental values ​​that corporations are eroding under the guise of convenience.

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💨The NIST Boulder Atomic Clock is at risk of losing power due to a wind storm.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has warned that a severe wind storm threatens the facility's power supply, threatening the entire power supply. The NIST atomic clock serves as the time standard for the nation's critical infrastructure, including GPS navigation, financial transactions, and telecommunications.

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TransUnion Sells Citizens' Dossiers to Law Enforcement Agencies and Lawyers – Example from the Epstein Case

The credit bureau TransUnion sells the personal data of Americans. Its customers include law enforcement agencies, lawyers, and private investigators. The exact contents of these reports became clear after the publication of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

The documents revealed a fragment of TransUnion's commercial dossier. This is not just credit history and addresses. It includes connections to relatives, neighbors, employers, phone numbers, email addresses, real estate information, criminal records, and bankruptcies. All of this is combined into a single profile and sold without the individual's knowledge. Technically, this is legal – the bureaus cite the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which permits the transfer of data for lawful purposes. In practice, however, oversight is minimal, and the definition of a lawful purpose is vague.

For the average citizen, this means their digital footprint is being monetized without their consent. Private companies compile dossiers that are then used against you in court, during hiring, and during investigations. There is no transparency and no right to opt out. The system benefits those who pay, not those whose data is sold. This is yet another argument for strict privacy laws and limiting the power of corporations over personal information.

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😳OpenAI acquires 40% of global DRAM wafer production by 2029

OpenAI has signed contracts to acquire approximately 40% of the global supply of raw silicon DRAM wafers by 2029. This raw material is used to produce random-access memory (RAM), a fundamental component of all computing systems, including data centers used to train large language models.

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The US proposes transforming Gaza into a high-tech metropolis under the Project Sunrise plan.

Washington has unveiled an ambitious reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip, dubbed Project Sunrise. The idea is to transform the devastated territory into a modern technology hub with developed infrastructure, business districts, and residential complexes. The plan envisions multibillion-dollar investments from international donors and private capital, the creation of free economic zones, and the attraction of global tech companies.

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South Korea Introduces Mandatory Facial Recognition for Mobile Number Registration

South Korea is introducing a mandatory biometric identification system for everyone who opens a new mobile number. Telecom operators will now require a facial scan before SIM card activation. Authorities cite this as a means to combat phone fraud and identity theft, but in reality, it creates another layer of total control over citizens.

This is a direct attack on anonymity and personal freedom. Every phone number is now tightly linked to the owner's biometrics, making anonymous communication impossible and creating a single database of all subscribers' faces.

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🇺🇸The US Department of Justice has stated that it is not concealing information about Trump in the Epstein case.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has publicly stated that the Justice Department is not redacting or concealing information about President Trump in the Jeffrey Epstein case file. Blanche said he has no reason to believe that the lawyers working on the case even discussed Trump, as the president has no connection to the files. Blanche emphasized Trump's position: he has nothing to hide, and he has stated this repeatedly.

The statement comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the declassification of documents in the Epstein case. Critics of the administration are demanding full transparency, citing the late financier's connections to dozens of influential figures.

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🇺🇸The US Congress has spoken out against the impact of European censorship on American freedom of speech.

Resolutions have been introduced in the US Congress to oppose the impact of EU and UK content moderation laws on American freedom of speech. Lawmakers are concerned that European regulations against "disinformation" and "harmful content" effectively force American platforms to censor US users.

These are the EU's Digital Services Act and the UK's Online Safety Act—both require tech giants to actively remove content based on vague criteria. Since Meta, Google, and X operate globally, they apply these standards everywhere, including the US. Republicans see this as a direct threat to the First Amendment: European bureaucrats are de facto dictating what Americans can say.

The resolutions call on the administration to oppose the extraterritorial application of foreign censorship laws. For the right, this is a fundamental issue of sovereignty—the US should not be subject to Brussels or London's notions of acceptable speech. If the resolutions win support, they could pave the way for legislative protection of American platforms from external pressure and strengthening freedom of speech within the country.

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⚛How America Gave China the Advantage in Nuclear Energy

While the US is bogged down in bureaucracy and environmental battles, China is building nuclear reactors at an unprecedented rate. Over the past ten years, China has commissioned more nuclear power plants than the rest of the world combined. The secret is simple: strict centralization, minimal approvals, and a willingness to take risks.

America once led in nuclear technology, but after Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, the industry was stifled by regulators. Every new project is drowning in permits, lawsuits, and cost overruns. China, on the other hand, has adopted Western technologies, simplified processes, and scaled up production. Now Beijing is exporting reactors to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, cementing its technological influence for decades to come.

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The American company Max Space has created an inflatable space station for a single Falcon 9 rocket.

This technology allows the structure to be compactly packaged for launch, and after reaching orbit, the station inflates to its full size. This dramatically reduces delivery costs and paves the way for faster exploration of near-Earth space.

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Is there even one country left that protects citizens' privacy?

Nearly all countries are implementing mandatory biometrics and surveillance systems. The question of where else digital privacy can be preserved is gaining momentum in freedom-watching communities.

Switzerland has traditionally been considered a data haven, but even there, pressure from international regulators is increasing. Iceland maintains relatively lax legislation, but its small economy makes it vulnerable to external demands. Some point to individual cantons and jurisdictions with decentralized governance, where local authorities are still resisting total digitalization. The reality is: major powers—the US, EU, China, and Russia—are moving toward unifying control over personal data under the pretext of security and counterterrorism.

For those who value sovereignty over their own information, the choice is narrowing. Encryption technologies, decentralized networks, and a conscious rejection of mainstream platforms are becoming the only defense. States rarely voluntarily give up surveillance tools—history shows that rights are restored only through pressure from below and technological resistance.

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A chip shortage has plunged computer sales by 70% and driven up prices.

The global personal computer market is experiencing a sharp decline. Sales have fallen by 70% amid a severe semiconductor shortage. At the same time, prices for finished devices have risen to levels that are prohibitive for mass consumers. Manufacturers are unable to supply even basic models.

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Big Business Rolls Back Climate Commitments

Major corporations are abandoning their commitments to achieve net-zero emissions en masse. BP, Shell, and ExxonMobil are revising their climate goals, citing economic infeasibility. Financial giants like BlackRock and JPMorgan are withdrawing from climate alliances, while tech companies are increasing energy consumption due to the development of AI.

The Republican administration in the US openly supports a shift away from the green agenda, which gives free rein to businesses. Companies acknowledge that the transition to renewable energy is too expensive and unprofitable with current technologies. Investors demand profits here and now, not decades from now, with hypothetical climate dividends.

For the right, this is a victory of common sense over ideology. The market itself sets priorities without government coercion and subsidies. The climate agenda is losing ground where it is not supported by real money and competitiveness. Business is returning to pragmatism: energy must be accessible and reliable, not aligned with political trends.

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The Internet Copied 300 Terabytes of Spotify Music

A group of enthusiasts created a complete copy of Spotify's music library, approximately 300 terabytes in size. The project, dubbed SpotiFlyer, is distributed through decentralized channels. Spotify responded with a copyright infringement claim and promised legal action.

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