R.NF

Much of the coffee bought in Canada is sourced through U.S. middlemen and so is subject to tariffs.

We are currently seeing a huge increase in people considering to install Linux because of the actions of both Microsoft and the autocratic U.S. government. Among these people are many who rely on creative software by Adobe or other companies, for which there is no comparable alternative with Linux support. If we can convince Affinity to provide Linux support for their programs (Designer, Photo, Publisher), a lot more people will likely ditch Windows, and a lot of people who are already using Linux will get easy access to powerful (one-time payment) creative software.

#AffinityOnLinux

I've been noticing over la last few years that is is becoming more and more difficult to login to accounts, whether a bank account, a membership account, sometimes even browsing websites for shopping, through my VPN server. Is this just my impression or is there something going on now whereby there are services that keep list of VPN servers that are then sold to backs so that these parties can keep out anyone from trying to login via a VPN. It feels like the general consensus is VPN=malicious rather than "VPN="this guy is just trying to protect his privacy". I use AIRVPN but was wondering if there are VPN services that are more sophisticate and try to circumvent these VPN server blocks? It becoming a real pain to the point I'm wondering what it the point of paying fro a VPN is I'm finding myself having to login through my ISP IP rather than my VPN IP.

Which VPN to choose and why

I hate strategic voting and I'm holding my nose and voting for Carney anyway to keep Polievre out. I wish the NDP wasn't such a mess. But I don't want Canada to get into bed with the orange rapist.

London North Centre GPO/ London Centre GPC on Bluesky

Today is Earth Day. If you didn't vote yet, then consider the future of young Canadians when casting your ballot. While there are many immediate issues affecting people, we need significant climate change mitigation efforts now. Ignore vote splitting arguments & vote GREEN for a better environment.

Our @canadiangreens.bsky.social candidates are: London Centre, @maryannhodge.bsky.social; London West, Jeff Vanderzwet and Middlesex-London, Jim Johnston. Vote for change; vote Green!

If it’s not VI, at least its something.

Pope Francis was history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change.

Archived version: https://archive.is/20250422000849/https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a

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

Archived

The key motions of the resolution are the following:

• Noting that China commits human rights violations on a frequent basis and in particular, religious and ethnic minorities (such as Uyghurs, Tibetans, Mongols and others), are subjected to discrimination, harassment, criminalisation, re-education and imprisonment.
• Calls on the Cabinet to push for an EU Special Representative for Tibet and a joint EU-Tibet strategy, along the lines of the US “Resolve Tibet Act” and to inform the Chamber about this prior to the planned EU-China Summit.
• Noting that the Dalai Lama will celebrate his 90th birthday this year which has sparked conversation about his successor as head of the Tibetan Buddhism; whereas there are concerns among Tibetans and the Tibetan government-in-exile about the interference by the Chinese Communist Party in the appointment of a successor; believing that interference in Tibetans’ customs regarding their spiritual leader is undesirable; Speaks out that the Chinese Communist Party should not have a voice in the Dalai Lama’s succession; Requests the cabinet to express this signal in bilateral and multilateral forums.

[...]

Archived link

In the era of Trump 2.0, the first question British defence companies are facing when trying to export their weapons abroad is whether they are independent of the US arms industry. Or simply, are they “Itar-free”?

Itar, which stands for the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, refers to a set of longstanding US rules that govern the items on the United States Munitions List, which is aimed at safeguarding national security.

The list contains US-produced software, components and other technology that can be used for either military purposes or serve a dual use. If a weapon is subject to Itar, it cannot be built, sold or supplied to someone else without US consent and support.

One defence industry source said: “Even if you have US engineers, you become Itar-tainted.”

To employ ex-US military employees, UK companies would become subject to Itar restrictions if they have not been granted an exemption.

Although the restrictions are nothing new, a combination of Trump’s tariffs, vague threats to Canada and Denmark and pause on providing military aid and intelligence to Ukraine has left defence companies and governments thinking twice before investing in American components or equipment.

...

Helsing, a European defence tech company, and Auterion, a supplier of drone operating systems with a European headquarters in Munich, also pride themselves on having Itar-free equipment.

Helsing has pursued the policy because it “was founded on the principle of providing sovereign capabilities for a strong Europe”, according to Amelia Gould, the company’s global maritime director.

“Europe has this technology, we don’t need to import everything from the US,” she added.

Brinley Salzmann, the director of overseas and exports for ADS, a defence trade association, said that what was once a preference for Itar-free weapons was quickly becoming a requirement.

He said: “As international collaboration increases and governments seek greater control over their supply chains, the ability to operate without US extraterritorial export restrictions is becoming a strategic consideration.”

...

Share your SOTD for Tuesday!

Snowfall in Asia's Hindu Kush-Himalayan mountain range has reached a 23-year low, threatening nearly two billion people dependent on snowmelt for water, scientists warned in a report on Monday.

On April 22nd, 1870, Vladimir Illyich Ulyanov "Lenin," hero of the Russian Revolution, and architect of the world's first Socialist state, was born. His contributions to the Marxist Canon and to the Revolutionary Theory and Practice of the Proletariat throughout the world carries on to this day, in increasing magnitude. Every passing day, he is vindicated. His analysis of Imperialism and revolutionary strategy have played a key role in the past century, and have remained ever-more relevant throughout.

He also loved cats!

Some significant works:

What is to be Done?

Imperialism, The Highest Stage of Capitalism

The State and Revolution

"Left-Wing" Communism

The Right of Nations to Self-Determination

Materialism and Empirio-Criticism

The Tax in Kind

Interested in Marxism-Leninism, but don't know where to start? Check out my "Read Theory, Darn it!" introductory reading list!