#international policy practices

[msmeday]

Abu Dhabi: Assessment of policies, programmes and regulations relating to MSME and start-up development.

Strengthening the performance and economic contribution of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups is central to Abu Dhabi’s goal of creating a more diversified and competitive economy. This report provides an assessment of policies, programmes and regulations relating to MSME and start-up development in Abu Dhabi. The assessment is structured around six thematic areas: i) access to finance, ii) the availability of skills and capabilities, iii) access to markets, iv) the business environment, v) innovation and digitalisation, and vi) future opportunities for MSME and start-up development. For each thematic area, an analysis of existing issues, challenges and policy approaches is provided, in addition to policy recommendations and relevant examples of international policy practices. The report was prepared by the OECD Secretariat and external experts based on information gathered by the OECD in Abu Dhabi in the form of written documentation, questionnaire responses, stakeholder interviews and roundtable meetings as well as desk research on policy practices in other countries.

[queen-boudicca]

Me when doing my environmental science homework, at every available opportunity:

[premimtimes]

EDITORIAL: Taming the scourge of security funds theft

EDITORIAL: Taming the scourge of security funds theft

A national policy dialogue on corruption and insecurity in Nigeria recently organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), exhumed what does not regrettably command national attention. Funds for national security are brazenly stolen in the country by security top brass, contractors and bureaucrats. This is against the backdrop of the clamour for…

[staff]

A message from a few of the trans staff at Tumblr & Automattic:

We want trans people, and LGBTQ+ people broadly, to feel welcome on Tumblr, in part because we as trans people at Tumblr and Automattic want it to be a space where we ourselves feel included. We want to feel like this is a platform that supports us and fights for our safety. Tumblr is made brighter and more vibrant by your presence, and the LGBTQ+ folks who help run it are fighting all the time for this, for you, internally. 

A few days ago, Matt Mullenweg (the CEO of Automattic, Tumblr’s parent company) responded to a user’s ask about an account suspension in a way that negatively affected Tumblr’s LGBTQ+ community. We believe that Matt's response to this ask and his continued commentary has been unwarranted and harmful. Tumblr staff do not comment on moderation decisions as a matter of policy for a variety of reasons—including the privacy of those involved, and the practicalities of moderating thousands of reports a day. The downside of this policy is that it is very easy for rumors and incorrect information about actions taken by our Trust & Safety team to spread unchecked. Given this, we want to clarify a few different pieces of this situation:

The reality of predstrogen's suspension was not accurately conveyed, and made it seem like we were reaching for opportunities to ban trans feminine people on the platform. This is not the case. The example comment shared in the post linked above does not meet our definition of a realistic threat of violence, and was not the deciding factor in the account suspension.

Matt thereafter failed to recognize the harm to the community as a result of this suspension. Matt does not speak on behalf of the LGBTQ+ people who help run Tumblr or Automattic, and we were not consulted in the construction of a response to these events.

Last year, the "mature" and "sexual themes" community labels were erroneously applied to some users' posts. An outside team of contractors tasked with applying community labels to posts were responsible for this larger trend of mislabeling trans-related content. When our Trust & Safety team discovered this issue (thanks largely to reports from the community), we removed the contracted team’s ability to apply community labels and added more oversight to ensure it does not happen again. In the Staff post about this, LGBTQ+ staff pushed to be more transparent but were overruled by leadership. The termination of a contractor mentioned in the original ask response was for an unrelated incident which was incorrectly attributed to this case. We regret that the mislabeling ever happened, and the negative impact it has had on the trans community on Tumblr. 

Transition timelines are not against our community guidelines, and weren’t a factor considered by the moderation team when discussing suspensions and subsequent appeals. We do not take action against content that is related to transitioning or trans bodies unless it includes violations of the Community Guidelines.

When it comes to the experience of trans folks on Tumblr encountering transphobic content, and interacting with bigoted users, we understand and share your frustrations. Tumblr’s policies, and Automattic’s policies, are written to ensure freedom of speech and expression. We prohibit harassment as defined in our Community Guidelines, but we know that this policy falls short of protecting users from the wider scope of harmful speech often used against LGBTQ+ and other marginalized people.

Going forward, Tumblr is taking the following actions:

Prioritizing anti-harassment features that will empower users to more effectively protect themselves from harassment.

Building more internal tooling for us as Staff to proactively identify and mitigate instances of harassment.

Reviewing which of the tags frequently used by the trans community are blocked, and working to make them available next week.

We’re sorry for how this all transpired, and we’re actively fighting to make our voices heard more and prevent something like this from happening again in the future. We know firsthand that having to deal with situations like this as a Tumblr user is difficult, particularly as a member of an already frequently targeted and harassed community. We know it will take time to regain your trust, and we’re going to put in the work to rebuild it.

We appreciate the space we have been given to express our concerns and dissent, and we are thankful that Matt’s (and Automattic’s) strong commitment to freedom of expression has facilitated it.

We will continue to fight to make Tumblr safe for us all.

— This statement was authored by multiple trans employees of Tumblr and Automattic.

[personswithdisabilitiesday]

From Political Will to Tangible Change: Launching the Commitments Platform for the Global Disability Summit 2025 (COSP17 Side Event).

In a world where disability inclusion too often is still not a priority, the Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025 aims to increase commitment and action for disability inclusive sustainable development and humanitarian action. The Global Disability Summit (GDS) is a unique global mechanism that improves the lives of persons with disabilities, especially from the Global South. It was created in 2017 to convene global, regional, and national leaders that share the same goal and vision.It offers a mechanism for commitments that advance investments in financial and human resources to support disability inclusive sustainable development and humanitarian action. The GDS2025 will be held in Berlin on April 2 and 3, 2025. The Summit is co-hosted by the Governments of Germany and Jordan, and the International Disability Alliance (IDA). Germany, Jordan, and IDA want to accelerate the momentum created by the previous two GDS and expand the global efforts for disability equality and meaningful engagement of persons with disabilities. At the same time, we feel the need to create even more opportunities for multiple stakeholders to come together to align for real change, given we are increasingly confronted with the fact that well-intended commitments and policies are either not implemented, or not resulting in systemic impact. Therefore, we need a bold mechanism to translate international obligations into practical policies. A first step towards the achievement of this goal, is to launch the GDS Commitment Mechanism at COSP 17.During the side event, the three GDS2025 co-hosts will address key aspects of the next GDS and will present the new platform for commitments submission.

During the side event, the three GDS2025 co-hosts will address key aspects of the next GDS and will present the new platform for commitments submission.

Watch the From Political Will to Tangible Change: Launching the Commitments Platform for the Global Disability Summit 2025 (COSP17 Side Event)

[worldchildlabourday]

(Continued) Roles of workers' organizations in implementing the commitments under the regional frameworks on forced labour and child labour.

This panel discussion will focus on how these organizations can effectively implement the commitments outlined in regional frameworks to protect vulnerable populations. Attendees will learn about successful strategies and practical measures that workers' organizations have adopted to enforce labour standards and advocate for ethical practices.

Watch 2 Roles of workers' organizations in implementing the commitments under the regional frameworks on forced labour and child labour!

[greenthestral]

Goal 13: Climate Action - Taking a Stand for a Sustainable Future

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges our planet faces today. The impact of global warming is already evident through rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and the loss of biodiversity. In response to this crisis, the United Nations has set 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with Goal 13 specifically addressing Climate Action. This article explores the importance of Goal 13, its key objectives, and how individuals and communities can contribute to a sustainable future.

 The Urgency of Climate Action

The urgency to address climate change cannot be overstated. Scientific evidence overwhelmingly points to human activities as the primary cause of the Earth's rising temperature. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat and causing the planet to warm. This phenomenon, known as global warming, is leading to a wide range of environmental and socio-economic impacts.

One of the key aspects of Goal 13: Climate Action is its emphasis on the need for immediate action. Delaying or ignoring the issue will have severe consequences for the planet and all its inhabitants. The impacts of climate change are already being felt across the globe, and they will continue to worsen if we do not take decisive measures to address them.

The consequences of unchecked climate change are far-reaching and affect multiple aspects of our lives. Ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to the effects of global warming. Rising temperatures disrupt delicate ecological balances, leading to the loss of biodiversity, habitat destruction, and species extinction. Coral reefs, for example, are highly sensitive to changes in temperature and are already experiencing widespread bleaching events, threatening the countless marine species that depend on them.

Moreover, climate change poses significant risks to human societies and economies. Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, floods, and heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. These events strain infrastructure, disrupt food production, and increase the risk of water scarcity, exacerbating social and economic inequalities.

Furthermore, vulnerable communities, including those in low-lying coastal areas and developing countries, are disproportionately affected by climate change. They often lack the resources and infrastructure necessary to adapt and recover from climate-related disasters. Rising sea levels pose a significant threat to coastal regions, leading to increased coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources, and the displacement of millions of people.

The economic impacts of climate change are also substantial. The costs associated with extreme weather events, health consequences, and infrastructure damage are staggering. Additionally, industries reliant on natural resources, such as agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, face significant disruptions as changing climate patterns affect production and market conditions.

In light of these grave risks, Goal 13 serves as a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize climate action. It emphasizes the need for immediate and concerted efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the changing climate, and support sustainable practices.

Mitigation efforts focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming. This involves transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower. It also includes improving energy efficiency in industries, transportation, and buildings. Sustainable agricultural practices, afforestation, and reforestation initiatives are crucial for mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide and preserving ecosystems.

In addition to mitigation, Goal 13 emphasizes the importance of adaptation. As climate change impacts are already being felt, it is necessary to enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate-related hazards. This includes implementing climate-smart agricultural practices, building resilient infrastructure, and promoting nature-based solutions that utilize ecosystems to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Goal 13 also recognizes the need for financial resources and technological support to aid developing countries in their climate action efforts. Developed nations have a responsibility to provide financial assistance and transfer sustainable technologies to help developing countries transition to low-carbon economies and build resilience against climate change impacts.

The urgency to address climate change is paramount. The Earth's rising temperature, primarily caused by human activities, poses severe threats to ecosystems, economies, and human well-being. Goal 13: Climate Action underscores the need for immediate action to combat climate change, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to its impacts, and support sustainable practices. By heeding this call and working collectively, we can mitigate the worst effects of climate change and build a sustainable future for generations to come.

Key Objectives of Goal 13

Mitigation: The first objective of Goal 13 is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming and its detrimental effects. This involves transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and adopting sustainable practices in industries, transportation, and agriculture.

Adaptation: Climate change is already causing significant disruptions, and adapting to these changes is crucial. Goal 13 emphasizes the need to enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate-related hazards. This includes implementing climate-smart agricultural practices, building resilient infrastructure, and promoting ecosystem-based adaptation strategies.

Finance and Support: Goal 13 recognizes the importance of providing financial resources and technological support to developing countries, enabling them to effectively combat climate change. Developed nations have a responsibility to assist developing countries in their transition to low-carbon economies and help them adapt to the impacts of climate change.

 Individual Action for Climate Action

While governments and international bodies play a significant role in addressing climate change, individual actions are equally important. Each person has the power to make a difference and contribute to a sustainable future. Here are some actions individuals can take:

Reduce Carbon Footprint: Lowering our carbon footprint is crucial in mitigating climate change. This can be achieved by using public transportation, cycling, or walking instead of driving, practicing energy conservation at home, and supporting companies that prioritize sustainability.

Sustainable Consumption: Making conscious choices in our daily lives can have a positive impact on the environment. Opt for environmentally friendly products, reduce waste by recycling and composting, and support local and sustainable food systems.

Spread Awareness: Educating others about the importance of climate action is vital. Share information through social media, engage in conversations with friends and family, and support organizations working towards climate solutions.

Community and Collective Efforts

Beyond individual actions, community and collective efforts are instrumental in achieving Goal 13. Here are some ways communities can contribute to climate action:

Local Initiatives: Local governments, businesses, and community organizations can collaborate to develop and implement climate action plans. This may include promoting renewable energy projects, organizing tree planting drives, and supporting sustainable transportation options.

Education and Engagement: Communities can organize workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns to educate residents about climate change and empower them to take action. Engaging youth and fostering their leadership in climate-related initiatives is particularly important.

Collaboration and Partnerships: Building partnerships between various stakeholders such as government, businesses, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions can accelerate climate action efforts. Collaborative projects can focus on renewable energy infrastructure, waste management, and sustainable urban planning.

Policy and Governmental Action

Government policies and regulations play a crucial role in driving climate action. Here are some key areas where policymakers can make a significant impact:

Renewable Energy Transition: Governments can implement policies to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. This may include providing incentives for renewable energy production, setting renewable energy targets, and supporting research and development in clean technologies.

Carbon Pricing and Regulation: Implementing carbon pricing mechanisms, such as carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems, can encourage industries to reduce emissions and invest in cleaner technologies. Governments can also establish regulations and standards to enforce emission reductions in various sectors.

International Cooperation: Addressing climate change requires global cooperation. Governments can participate in international climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, and collaborate with other nations to set ambitious emission reduction targets and share best practices.

H1: Conclusion:

Goal 13: Climate Action is a critical component of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. With the escalating climate crisis, it is imperative that individuals, communities, and governments take decisive action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate impacts, and support sustainable practices. By working together, we can create a more resilient and sustainable future for generations to come. Let us all be catalysts for change and take a stand for climate action today.

[fairuzfan]

One thing I've learned as I've progressed in my archival studies is that there is evidence for everything. There are records for everything.

The things Palestinians have been documenting—even Israelis themselves documenting both within their "civilian" population and their governmental records—portray a concentrated effort to erase every trace of the Palestinian people. This (October of 2023) is no different—there are probably internal documents specifying how to communicate to the press while explicitly dehumanizing the Palestinians. Internal documents that detail best mutilation practices to inflict of the people of Gaza to break their will to live.

For supporters of Israel: nothing you see is uncalculated. Recognize that. Palestinians have grown up for 75+ years KNOWING that propaganda is so easily disseminated. Palestinians who received no formal education (which is not to say such a thing is necessary—this just speaks to the innate knowledge of the Palestinian people) understand the way in which the machine of imperialism works in an intimate and personal manner. So I'd like to invite you to consider: who is proclaiming support and for whom? What would they gain? Why is the United States, a well documented imperial core of the modern war, so vehemently supportive of Israel? Why would they do such a thing given their extensive history of "US first" within their policy decisions?

Why would the British government—the source of many colonial struggles—wish to support a regime with already one of the strongest, most powerful armies in the world? Why does the Israeli government need aid when they claim to be so well off compared to their Arab neighbors?

Propaganda is something so embedded in the everyday life of Europeans and USAmericans that they (primarily white individuals) often do not think to examine the core logic of the way their government works. To reiterate: nothing is accidental and everything is calculated. There ARE records for these events and tactics—they just won't release them yet.

It is imperative that you understand the political implications of how this will affect the United States and why they have a vested interest in such matters, considering their historic distance from other atrocities unless personal involvement occurred.

[northgazaupdates]

A group of journalists held a public appeal yesterday for an end to Israel’s siege of the northern Gaza Strip, where practically no food aid has entered since October 2023. People in the north are living and dying in famine due to the complete blockade by the IOF.

To make matters worse, most mainstream media outlets are ignoring the plight of north Gaza, as the journalists and other people remaining in the north are predominantly Arabic-speaking. The north of Gaza is starving in silence.

Instagram user faridaek has been kind enough to repost the appeal with English subtitles added. This is a significant undertaking that we greatly appreciate, and we ask everyone with an Instagram account to share the video.

The journalist speaking is Islam Bader. He and his colleagues are making this appeal on behalf of the people of northern Gaza. The journalists present include Abed Alqadr Sabbah, Mahmoud Al-Awadia, Momin Abu Owda, Mahmoud Sabbah, Mahmoud El-Shareef, Anas Al-Sharif, Islam Bader, Mohammed Ahmed, and Fadi Al-Whidi, among others. The subtitles read

From the north of the Gaza Strip, we, as journalists still stationed here in the north stand today driven by our ethical responsibility and national duty as a voice for all those who remain steadfast in Gaza and its north who are being subjected to a policy of extermination and a policy of starvation which is no less than extermination. The markets have been emptied of all essentials, and there is no flour available except in rare instances. The occupation does not allow aid to enter, maintaining its obstinate siege against our people and our families. We are of this people, and today we speak for Palestinians, for the besieged and for those denied life’s essentials. The most basic necessities have now become extremely rare in Gaza.

Therefore, we issue this call as a final warning, about a severe famine that is unprecedented on a global scale and impacting all facets of life, particularly children, individuals with chronic conditions and society’s most vulnerable groups. We hold the Israeli occupation and the international community especially the United States responsible for this starvation because it is happening in front of the eyes and ears of the entire world without any concrete action [on the ground] to stop it. The occupation’s claims of aid delivery are deceptive and unfounded. In reality, nothing has entered the north of the Gaza Strip.

Therefore, this final call, on behalf of all these people, on behalf of our fellow journalists, on behalf of our families and on behalf of Palestinians and the displaced in the north of the Gaza Strip is for the world to uphold its responsibility. North Gaza is starving, and this famine must be stopped.

Source: Islam Bader et al via faridaek on Instagram

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Farida EK (@faridaek)

[simwithshan]

HUMAN RESOURCES CAREER (PUBLIC  (12/22/23) )

The Human Resources Mod is all about giving your sims a simple, day-to-day career that invokes domesticated realism. The type of sims that would love this career are ones that enjoy a career driven yet family-oriented role. It dabbles in you getting your Logic, Charisma & a little bit of Writing skills up with realistic pay, and bonuses after each level is completion. You'll have to do things like look up HIPPA Policies, Plan Social Events & Practice Your Communication skills with other sims. Once you make it to HR Manager you will work longer days but only a few times a week! So enough free time for family-oriented sims.

This is a simple rabbit hole career that sends your sims off to work in a position that allows them to wear office wear! This career allows Simmers to pay their bills with a reasonable income and dabble in a life of being well off but not too well off. It gives you a reason to save and appreciate the income you make.

You'll get a buff, and a new money bonus with each new level. Once you get to the last level, you can view the notifications bar to get a special message!

There are 5 Levels

HR Intern

HR Coordinator

Training and Development Officer

Employee Relations Specialist

HR Manager

DOWNLOAD

[sagunpaudel]

WHO GMP Certified Pharmaceutical Companies in Nepal

WHO GMP Certified Pharmaceutical Companies in Nepal

The Department of Drug Administration (DDA) has updated the list of WHO GMP Certified Pharmaceutical Companies in Nepal. Here is the updated list of registered pharmaceutical companies that are certified for World Health Organization Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO GMP). Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP, also referred to as ‘cGMP’ or ‘current Good Manufacturing Practice’) is the aspect of…

[mostlysignssomeportents]

An Epic antitrust loss for Google

A jury just found Google guilty on all counts of antitrust violations stemming from its dispute with Epic, maker of Fortnite, which brought a variety of claims related to how Google runs its app marketplace. This is huge:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/11/technology/epic-games-google-antitrust-ruling.html

The mobile app store world is a duopoly run by Google and Apple. Both use a variety of tactics to prevent their customers from installing third party app stores, which funnels all app makers into their own app stores. Those app stores cream an eye-popping 30% off every purchase made in an app.

This is a shocking amount to charge for payment processing. The payments sector is incredibly monopolized and notorious for its price-gouging – and its standard (wildly inflated) rate is 2-5%:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/08/04/owning-the-libs/#swiper-no-swiping

Now, in theory, Epic doesn't have to sell in Google Play, the official Android app store. Unlike Apple's iOS, Android permit both sideloading (installing an app directly without using an app store) and configuring your device to use a different app store. In practice, Google uses a variety of anticompetitive tricks to prevent these app stores from springing up and to dissuade Android users from sideloading. Proving that Google's actions – like paying Activision $360m as part of "Project Hug" (no, really!) – were intended to prevent new app storesfrom springing up was a big lift for Epic. But they managed it, in large part thanks to Google's own internal communications, wherein executives admitted that this was exactly why Project Hug existed. This is part of a pattern with Big Tech antitrust: many of the charges are theoretically very hard to make stick, but because the companies put their evil plans in writing (think of the fraudulent crypto exchange FTX, whose top execs all conferred in a groupchat called "Wirefraud"), Big Tech keeps losing in court:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/03/big-tech-cant-stop-telling-on-itself/

Now, I do like to dunk on Big Tech for this kind of thing, because it's objectively funny and because the companies make so many unforced errors. But in an important sense, this kind of written record is impossible to avoid. Any large institution can only make and enact policy through administrative systems, and those systems leave behind a paper-trail: memos, meeting minutes, etc. Yes, we all know that quote from The Wire: "Is you taking notes on a fucking criminal conspiracy?" But inevitably, any ambitious conspiracy can only exist if someone is taking notes.

What's more, any large conspiracy involving lots of parties will inevitably produce leaks. Think of this as the corollary to the idea that the moon landing can't be a hoax, because there's no way 400,000 co-conspirators could keep the secret. Big Tech's conspiracies required hundreds or even thousands of collaborators to keep their mouths shut, and eventually someone blabs:

https://www.science.org/content/article/fake-moon-landing-you-d-need-400000-conspirators

This is part of a wave of antitrust cases being brought against the tech giants. As Matt Stoller writes, the guilty-on-all-counts jury verdict will leak into current and future actions. Remember, Google spent much of this year in court fighting the DoJ, who argued that the company bribed Apple not to make a competing search engine, paying tens of billions every year to keep a competitor from emerging. Now that a jury has convinced Google of doing that to prevent alternative app stores from emerging, claims that it used these pay-for-delay tactics in other sectros get a lot more credible:

https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/boom-google-loses-antitrust-case

On that note: what about Apple? Epic brought a very similar case against Apple and lost. Both Apple and Epic are appealing that case to the Supreme Court, and now that Google has been convicted in a similar case, it might prompt the Supremes to weigh in and resolve the seeming inconsistencies in the interpretation of federal law.

This is a key moment in the long project to wrest antitrust away from the pro-monopoly side, who spent decades "training" judges to produce verdicts that run counter to the plain language of America's antitrust law:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/08/13/post-bork-era/#manne-down

There's 40 years' worth of bad precedent to overturn. The good news is that we've got the law on our side. Literally, the wording of the laws and the records of the Congressional debate leading to their passage, all militate towards the (incredibly obvious) conclusion that the purpose of anti-monopoly law is to fight monopoly, not defend it:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/14/aiming-at-dollars/#not-men

It's amazing to realize that we got into this monopoly quagmire because judges just literally refused to enforce the law. That's what makes one part of the jury verdict against Google so exciting: the jury found that Google's insistence that Play Store sellers use its payment processor was an act of illegal tying. Today, "tying" is an obscure legal theory, but few doctrines would be more useful in disenshittifying the internet. A company is guilty of illegal tying when it forces you to use unrelated products or services as a condition of using the product you actually want. The abandonment of tying led to a host of horribles, from printer companies forcing you to buy ink at $10,000/gallon to Livenation forcing venues to sell tickets through its Ticketmaster subsidiary.

The next phase of this comes when the judge decides on the penalty. Epic doesn't want cash damages – it wants the judge to order Google to fulfill its promise of "an open, competitive Android ecosystem for all users and industry participants." They've asked the judge to order Google to facilitate third-party app stores, and to separate app stores from payment processors. As Stoller puts it, they want to "crush Google’s control over Android":

https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/news/epic-v-google-trial-verdict-a-win-for-all-developers

Google has sworn to appeal, surprising no one. The Times's expert says that they will have a tough time winning, given how clear the verdict was. Whatever this means for Google and Android, it means a lot for a future free from monopolies.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/12/12/im-feeling-lucky/#hugger-mugger

[probablyasocialecologist]

Palestinian human rights organizations have shown that one in five Palestinians has been arrested and charged in Israeli military courts since the occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in 1967. Each year, this figure adds approximately 500–700 Palestinian children, some as young as 12, who are detained and prosecuted in Israeli military courts.

[...] During the ongoing genocidal war across historic Palestine, Israeli carceral violence and arrest campaigns have only intensified. In the months prior to October 7, an approximate 5,200 Palestinians were detained in Israeli prisons. As of mid-March, that number exceeds 9,000. Over the past five months alone, Israeli occupying forces have arrested over 7,600 Palestinians in the West Bank, in addition to an unknown number of detained Gazans. Conditions are worsening for the imprisoned. Immediately following the war’s outbreak, the Israel Prison Service (IPS) placed prisoners in total isolation, prevented them from leaving their cells, and restricted access to water and electricity. The agency ceased providing what had already been poor-quality medical care and has dispensed inadequate food, enacting a starvation campaign against prisoners. Guards inflict violence, torture, and degrading treatment such as reportedly forcing captives to “bark.” IPS also banned visits for family members and delegates from the International Committee of the Red Cross, and severely restricted lawyer visits—cutting prisoners off from the outside world. My research inside Israeli military courts and prison visitation rooms—both as an anthropological researcher and a family member of prisoners—highlights the systematic nature of this violence and its justification through legal codes. Through an intricate web of military laws and orders, Palestinians become racialized—a sociopolitical process through which groups are seen as distinct “races” ordered in a social hierarchy. The Israeli carceral system racializes Palestinians as inherently “criminal” and thus deserving of punishment. Following the occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in 1967, the Israeli military was vested with the ultimate authority of government, legislation, and punishment over the Palestinian population. This includes prosecuting Palestinians in military courts and charging them under the nearly 1,800 military orders that govern every aspect of daily life: conduct, property, movement, evacuation, land seizures, detention, interrogation, and trial. The orders include provisions for indefinitely detaining Palestinians without charge or trial through a policy inherited from British colonial practices. Over 3,500 Palestinians are being held in this state as of early March. Other provisions regulate the arrest and interrogation of Palestinians and how long they can be denied lawyer visits. With a near 100 percent conviction rate, Israeli military courts hand down absurdly high sentences, sometimes amounting to dozens of life sentences. Torture inside Israeli prisons and detention facilities is sanctioned by Israeli High Court of Justice (HCJ) rulings that permit the exercise of violence under pretexts of “security” and protecting “public order.” Enmeshed within this carceral reality is Israel’s labeling of most Palestinian prisoners as “security prisoners.” This designation masks the political nature of their imprisonment and sanctions violations against them. As opposed to Palestinian “security prisoners,” incarcerated Jewish settler-citizens receive rights such as making telephone calls, going on home visits under guard, the possibility of furlough, and conjugal visits. These rights are denied to the mostly Palestinian security prisoners, who are viewed and racialized from the start as criminals.

26 March 2024

[i-am-aprl]

Too late but necessary. Let’s see if it has a practical impact. Canada 🇨🇦 finally doing the right thing. Nearly 6 months into a genocide. More from 👇🏼 “Today, Parliament voted YES on the motion for Palestine. That means: • Calling for immediate ceasefire • Stopping the transfer and further authorization of arms exports to Israel • A ban on all illegal settlers • Recognition of the place of International Criminal Court, as well as the Court itself • Resuming funding for UNRWA This win is a big step forward, thanks particularly to the NDP. They presented the motion. Though the Liberal Party unhelpfully changed aspects of the motion (like immediate recognition of statehood), it is still a step forward for the Liberals, NDP, the Bloc Quebecois, and the Greens to support important policy positions like the weapons embargo, along with many other important commitments in this motion. We share your disappointment that the final motion version does not include an outright call for Palestinian Statehood. We will keep advocating for this. There is much work to be done. We thank the NDP for making this happen in the first place, and the other parties for supporting the final passage. Today was a massive day in the history in the movement for Palestinian human rights.”

[reasonsforhope]

Interior Department Announces New Guidance to Honor and Elevate Hawaiian Language

"In commemoration of Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, or Hawaiian Language Month, and in recognition of its unique relationship with the Native Hawaiian Community, the Department of the Interior today announced new guidance on the use of the Hawaiian language.  

A comprehensive new Departmental Manual chapter underscores the Department’s commitment to further integrating Indigenous Knowledge and cultural practices into conservation stewardship.  

“Prioritizing the preservation of the Hawaiian language and culture and elevating Indigenous Knowledge is central to the Biden-Harris administration's work to meet the unique needs of the Native Hawaiian Community,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “As we deploy historic resources to Hawaiʻi from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Interior Department is committed to ensuring our internal policies and communications use accurate language and data."  

Department bureaus and offices that engage in communication with the Native Hawaiian Community or produce documentation addressing places, resources, actions or interests in Hawaiʻi will use the new guidance on ‘ōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) for various identifications and references, including flora and fauna, cultural sites, geographic place names, and government units within the state.  The guidance recognizes the evolving nature of ‘ōlelo Hawaiʻi and acknowledges the absence of a single authoritative source. While the Hawaiian Dictionary (Pukui & Elbert 2003) is designated as the baseline standard for non-geographic words and place names, Department bureaus and offices are encouraged to consult other standard works, as well as the Board on Geographic Names database.  

Developed collaboratively and informed by ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi practitioners, instructors and advocates, the new guidance emerged from virtual consultation sessions and public comment in 2023 with the Native Hawaiian Community. 

The new guidance aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to strengthening relationships with the Native Hawaiian Community through efforts such as the Kapapahuliau Climate Resilience Program and Hawaiian Forest Bird Keystone Initiative. During her trip to Hawaiʻi in June, Secretary Haaland emphasized recognizing and including Indigenous Knowledge, promoting co-stewardship, protecting sacred sites, and recommitting to meaningful and robust consultation with the Native Hawaiian Community."

-via US Department of the Interior press release, February 1, 2024

--

Note: I'm an editor so I have no idea whether this comes off like as big a deal as it potentially is. But it is potentially going to establish and massively accelerate the adoption of correctly written Native Hawaiian language, as determined by Native Hawaiians.

Basically US government communications, documentations, and "style guides" (sets of rules to follow about how to write/format/publish something, etc.) can be incredibly influential, especially for topics where there isn't much other official guidance. This rule means that all government documents that mention Hawai'i, places in Hawai'i, Hawaiian plants and animals, etc. will have to be written the way Native Hawaiians say it should be written, and the correct way of writing Hawaiian conveys a lot more information about how the words are pronounced, too, which could spread correct pronunciations more widely.

It also means that, as far as the US government is concerned, this is The Correct Way to Write the Hawaiian Language. Which, as an editor who just read the guidance document, is super important. That's because you need the 'okina (' in words) and kahakō in order to tell apart sizeable sets of different words, because Hawaiian uses so many fewer consonants, they need more of other types of different sounds.

And the US government official policy on how to write Hawaiian is exactly what editors, publishers, newspapers, and magazines are going to look at, sooner or later, because it's what style guides are looking at. Style guides are the official various sets of rules that books/publications follow; they're also incredibly detailed - the one used for almost all book publishing, for example, the Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS), is over a thousand pages long.

One of the things that CMoS does is tell you the basic rules of and what specialist further sources they think you should use for writing different languages. They have a whole chapter dedicated to this. It's not that impressive on non-European languages yet, but we're due for a new edition (the 18th) of CMoS in the next oh two to four years, probably? Actually numbering wise they'd be due for one this year, except presumably they would've announced it by now if that was the case.

I'm expecting one of the biggest revisions to the 18th edition to add much more comprehensive guidance on non-Western languages. Considering how far we've come since 2017, when the last one was released, I'll be judging the shit out of them if they do otherwise. (And CMoS actually keep with the times decently enough.)

Which means, as long as there's at least a year or two for these new rules/spellings/orthographies to establish themselves before the next edition comes out, it's likely that just about every (legit) publisher will start using the new rules/spellings/orthographies.

And of course, it would expand much further from there.

[27-moons]

Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades:

The Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades - Popular Resistance Forces exalts with all pride and honor the martyr leader and writer, Walid Nimr As'ad Daqqah.

One of the heroes of the kidnapping operation of the soldier "Moshe Tammam" in 1986, who dismounted today, Sunday 7/4/2024 after suffering from medical negligence in the bastilles of zionist repression.

Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine:

The Popular Front mourns the imprisoned national and Frontsman leader, the great intellectual, thinker and writer, Walid Daqqah “Abu Milad”.

With the greatest sadness, grief, and revolutionary anger, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine mourns, in the name of its Secretary-General and his deputy, the Political Bureau, the Central Committee, its fellow prisoners, and all the comrades in the homeland and the diaspora, its companion, the great national and Front leader, the prisoner, the intellectual, the revolutionary thinker, and the writer Walid Nimr As’ad Daqqah “Abu Milad,” 62 years old, one of the most prominent leaders, theorists, and thinkers of the prisoners’ movement, who was martyred this evening as a result of a policy of medical negligence after suffering from a long illness.

The Popular Front extends to the comrade leader, Secretary-General, Ahmed Saadat, the comrades in the prison branch and the prisoner movement, his struggling wife, Sanaa, his daughter Milad, his entire family, and all his comrades, its deepest condolences on the martyrdom of this comrade, leader and inspiration, one of the generals of steadfastness, and the distinguished national and Front leaders and writers who engraved their name in letters of gold for what he presented in rich and inspiring struggle experience for many generations of prisoners in the occupation prisons. He also had a rich and distinguished intellectual and literary experience that was unparalleled in its influence on the lives of the prisoners, its meanings, its revolution, and its exploits. He was one of the most prominent symbols of prison literature. Rather, it is its dean and first writer, as he contributed important intellectual and literary studies to the Palestinian, Arab and international library. In parallel, the martyr was one of the most prominent national leaders and prisoners of the occupied interior who advanced the ranks in confronting the practices and violations of the occupation, and participated in all the struggle battles of the prisoner movement.

Biography of Comrade Commander Walid Daqqah “Abu Milad”:

- Born on July 18, 1961.

- He is from the town of Baqa al-Gharbiya, Haifa district.

- Commander Walid grew up in a Palestinian family consisting of 6 brothers and 3 sisters.

- The martyr received his basic education in Baqa al-Gharbiya schools, and obtained his high school diploma in 1979 from Yimma Agricultural Secondary School. He joined the university and continued his scientific and academic studies.

- During his studies, his views and awareness of the issues of his people and his deep affiliation to his Palestinian national identity blossomed.

- In 2010, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in the interdisciplinary study of democracy, and in 2016 he obtained a master’s degree in regional studies, “Israeli Studies track” from Al-Quds University, but he was unable to complete his preparation for the degree of PhD.

- He joined the ranks of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in 1983, and joined a military cell affiliated with the Front.

- In 1984, he received military training at the Front’s military bases in Syria, and then he contributed to the formation of a secret military apparatus for the Front inside the occupied interior, whose mission was to collect information about zionist leaders and officials who participated in committing massacres in the invasion of Lebanon.

- The martyr Walid and his comrades within the military cell carried out a series of operations, including the kidnapping and killing of the zionist soldier “Moshe Tammam”, as a result of which he and a group of comrades were arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment.

- He completed his sentence in March 2023, but an additional two years were added to his sentence because he was accused of smuggling mobile phones into prisons.

- He was among 23 prisoners whom the occupation refused to release in all exchange deals. The occupation also withdrew from placing him on the list of released long-term prisoners in 2013-2014.

- He is considered one of the most prominent prisoner theorists and thinkers inside the occupation prisons. He has intellectual and literary productions that have reached the international level, the most famous of which are the books “The Melting of Consciousness” and “Parallel Time,” and the novel “The Story of the Secret of Oil,” which won international fame and many awards, continued with the novel “The Story of the Secret Sword,” a second part, and it was expected that the third part, “The Tale of the Secret of the Spectrum,” would be published.

- His book, Fusion of Consciousness or “Redefining Torture,” is considered one of the most prominent productions of the prisoner movement, and is considered an important reference. Through this study, he laid out the ABCs of steadfastness, discipline, rooting organizational work, and the strength of the will inside prisons. He is also credited with crystallizing concepts that describe the reality inside prisons, such as the concept of “Parallel Time” (i.e., the time of prisoners versus the time of those outside the prisons), and he wrote a large number of political, intellectual, and literary articles and studies, and is considered a first-class political thinker. He produced inside the occupation prisons a huge intellectual project during which he answered all issues, inquiries, and existential questions, as well as issues of liberation, strengthening the state of criticism within it, on his way to reaching the truth and the crisis of the national project. He was a painter who provided the prison with many important national paintings, speaking the Hebrew language fluently.

- He was subjected to torture, solitary confinement, and being prevented from visiting during his long detention, and his writings and publications were pursued by the Prison Service.

- He smuggled sperm out of prison, became a father at the age of 57, and gave birth to a daughter he called “Milad.”

- On December 18, 2022, it was announced that he was suffering from a rare bone marrow cancer, as a result of which his health condition deteriorated and he was transferred to the hospital. In June 2023, his request for release was rejected, and the Central Court also rejected the appeal he submitted against the committee’s decision.

- He died this evening as a result of a policy of medical negligence, after a serious deterioration in his health.

As the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine bids farewell to its comrade, the leader, thinker, writer, inspiration and great theoretician, it pledges to him to be loyal to his national, intellectual and Front legacy, through which he made Palestine and the cause of its liberation his compass. Until his departure, he remained inhabited by Palestine, all of Palestine from its river to its sea.

Glory to the great martyr of Palestine and humanity.

We will certainly be victorious.

Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine

Central Information Department

7-4-2024

RNN Prisoners:

"You are the most beautiful smuggling of my memory. You are my message to the future."

Milad Walid Daqqah is the product of struggle, steadfastness, and hope for the future.

Abu Milad, who ascended to martyrdom today at 62, spent most of his life in the colonial prisons, since he was 24, for allegedly kidnapping and killing IOF soldier Moshe Tammam in 1986.

Sanaa interviewed him in prison, and they fell in love, marrying in 1999 inside the very prison. After years of trying, Sanaa gave birth to beautiful Milad, one of dozens of children borne out of smuggled sperm. Walid was punished, sent to solitary confinement for creating life outside the confines of the prison walls.

He wrote to his daughter:

"Who will take the rest of my life and grant me a moment of embrace with your tiny arms. Who, my little one, who with your tiny hands brushed against my heart, making the pulse steady, the body heal, and decades of pain vanish. Who, my heart's joy, will come to rest on her father's chest, so he can caress her soft hair...

To my beloved Milad.. Happy birthday and may you have thousands of moments of joy.

Your father, Walid Daqqah."

In fact, Walid named Milad, which means "birth," nearly 10 years before she was miraculously born in 2020. In his 2011 letter to Milad, he wrote:

"Dear Milad,

I have now reached the age of 50, and my years have been split halfway between prison and life, for prison is a fire that feeds on the fragments of my memory. And my memory, O joy of my heart, has become brittle and its roots have dried. As for you, you are the most beautiful smuggling of my memory. You are my message to the future."

Walid did not see his freedom, and Milad did not see Walid. But Walid and Sanaa left behind an enduring tale, a living testament to continue his story and path.

"I admit that I am a human still holding onto his love, gripping tightly, as difficult as it is, with all my might. I will remain steadfast in this love. I will continue to love you, for love is my only humble victory over my jailer."