Notices by R. Scott Pert (raymondpert@mastodon.cloud)

Indonesia holds firm on iPhone 16 ban despite Apple’s $1B investment offer

> The tech giant proposed constructing a factory to produce accessories instead of components for mobile phone.
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/indonesian/iphone-ban-01092025153427.html #Iphone #Apple #Indonesia #SouthEastAsia #TootSEA #ExpatAsia

After a weeks-long confrontation, South Korea’s impeached president Yoon is detained

> South Korean police detained impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence in Seoul on Wednesday local time,
https://abcnews.go.com/International/impeached-south-korean-president-yoon-suk-yeol-arrested/story?id=117682572 #Korea #ROK

Nawaf Salam named as Lebanon’s new prime minister

> Nawaf Salam, president of the International Court of Justice, has secured the support of a majority of Lebanon’s MPs to become the country’s next prime minister, dealing another blow to Hizbollah after its devastating war with Israel.

> The Iran-backed militant group and its allies had been pushing for caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to continue in the post,
https://www.ft.com/content/79670dbc-2db6-4bea-99a8-89e5d6566917?accessToken=zwAAAZT7GSiikc95Zw28LbZL6tOZqInl1lZpFwE.MEYCIQDkcloCIeaNwNn0U_elAig6s5oljrCvBM9ErR1H_z8u4gIhALT1F-LOirale8-BtwagJH8ojYy_DyQZOqaotmEDfVln&segmentId=7d4bcc2e-e664-92ba-62e3-5590579f1902
#Lebanon #NawafSalam #Hizbollah #Iran

China discussing using Elon Musk as broker in TikTok deal

> Officials in Beijing are discussing using #ElonMusk as a broker in a potential sale of #TikTok’s US operations, days before the Chinese-owned social media app faces a ban from Washington, according to two people familiar with the talks.

> The bill passed by Congress in April, which requires TikTok’s Beijing-based parent #ByteDance to sell its stake in the app or face a ban

https://www.ft.com/content/cee84b1a-6b55-42a8-abf9-19f9a80e04a6?accessToken=zwAAAZUABXb4ktOh0DK2-RtGX9Oz-ptGrgcv5dPO6Esaa1VCqNOr-Rn5qA4EpgE.MEQCIHCfnKlv3Q0vJC49-bzyQAzOVEB7jVjkkdCPL9f26W_eAiBgg1fDg0ORTtmY6s652qlEC7ECeAxzNr_miu4k8BLMGA&segmentId=7d4bcc2e-e664-92ba-62e3-5590579f1902 #China #US #socialmedia

Syrian foreign minister to visit Qatar, UAE and Jordan

> The top diplomat in Syria’s new leadership said Friday he will make official visits to Qatar, the UAE and Jordan this week, having just been in Saudi Arabia on his first trip in office.

> The new government is eager for foreign investment to help rebuild...
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2585174/middle-east #Syria

The #Myanmar air force has bombed a fishing village in Rakhine state killing 41 civilians and wounding 52, most of them Rohingya Muslims, residents involved in rescue work said on Thursday, in an attack insurgents condemned as a war crime.

> Military planes bombed Kyauk Ni Maw village on the coast in Ramree township on Wednesday afternoon sparking huge fires that destroyed about 600 homes, residents said, sending clouds of black smoke up over the sea. https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/bengali/myanmar-junta-bombs-rohingya-muslim-village-killing-41-rescuers-say-01092025080025.html #SouthEastAsia

#Canada - Chrystia Freeland pegged by some Liberal MPs as Justin Trudeau's successor if he resigns

> Calls are growing from within the Liberal caucus for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as party leader — and some have pegged Chrystia Freeland as their choice to replace him.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-freeland-trudeau-successor-1.7417301 #ChrystiaFreeland #JustinTrudeau #CANpoli #CDNpoli

#US - 'Tis the season for roasting chestnuts. But in the US, native ones are almost gone

> It's been a very long time since vendors sold the American chestnut on city sidewalks. It's no longer the variety whose smell some people associate with Christmastime as it wafts from street carts. Because it's virtually extinct.

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/tis-season-roasting-chestnuts-us-native-116804563 #xmas #holidays #chestnuts

TikTok Competitor for the Fediverse — Will Loops Take Off?

> TikTok is facing increasing scrutiny in the United States—both for its #China-owned origins and the harm it can do to young minds. Will something else replace it if the United States does ban the platform? #Loops is hoping to be in the position to absorb migrating users if a #TikTok ban does happen.
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2024/10/28/tiktok-competitor-for-the-fediverse-will-loops-take-off/ #Fediverse #socialmedia

Ukraine's Zelenskyy says North Korean troops are poised to join the war, cancels UN chief's visit

> #NorthKorean troops are poised to be deployed by #Russia on the battlefield in #Ukraine as early as this weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Friday.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20241027/p2g/00m/0in/029000c #UkraineWar #NorthKorea

Maduro vows Venezuela won't be silenced after BRICS bid blocked

> #Venezuela's President #NicolasMaduro vowed on Saturday (October 26, 2024) that his country would not be silenced after #Brazil vetoed its bid to join the #BRICS group

> The South American country is in the throes of an unprecedented economic crisis, which the Government says is a result of #US #sanctions, and has long sought to join the #BRICS group.
https://archive.is/2024.10.27-075043/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/maduro-vows-venezuela-wont-be-silenced-after-brics-bid-blocked/article68802620.ece

Ghostly waves take over California coast, mesmerizing beachgoers

> In the dead of night, groups of excited beachgoers gathered along the Southern California coast to witness one of nature’s most captivating — and elusive — marine phenomena.

> Bioluminescence — the result of chemical energy turning into radiant energy — has been spotted throughout #California’s oceans in recent years. https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/bioluminescent-waves-southern-california-beaches-19861113.php #Bioluminescence

Will Israel Allow Jewish Settlements in Gaza?

> Even as the war in Gaza is still on-going, there are calls from inside #Israel's right-wing government for a permanent occupation of the Palestinian territory and to allow Jewish #settlements there. While the Prime Minister says this is not the government's policy, some say the military's latest moves make it possible. Our correspondent tells us more from the #Israel-#Gaza border.
https://www.npr.org/2024/10/23/1211597127/israeli-settlers-want-to-permanently-occupy-gaza

China has deported a VW executive for allegedly using drugs while in Thailand

> A senior executive for #Volkswagen in #China has been deported for allegedly using cocaine and marijuana while on vacation in #Thailand, according to Chinese authorities and German media reports.
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/china-deported-vw-executive-allegedly-drugs-thailand-115057345 #narcotics

Russia's Putin hosts leaders of India, China at BRICS summit

> A three-day summit of the recently expanded #BRICS grouping kicked off Tuesday, with Russian President #VladimirPutin's government inviting two dozen world leaders to the southwestern Russian city of #Kazan.
https://www.dw.com/en/russias-putin-hosts-leaders-of-india-china-at-brics-summit/a-70563657 #India #China

FTC's rule banning fake online reviews goes into effect

> A federal rule banning fake online reviews is now in effect.

> The Federal Trade Commission issued the rule in August banning the sale or purchase of online reviews. The rule, which went into effect Monday, allows the agency to seek civil penalties against those who knowingly violate it.
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/ftcs-rule-banning-fake-online-reviews-effect-115009299 #FTC #US

Trump Promises to Fix Schools By Ending Fictional Problem

> No transgender, no operations. You know they take your kid. There are some places your boy leaves the school, comes back a girl. Okay. Without parental consent. What is that all about? That’s like. That’s– when they talk about a threat to democracy. They’re a threat. Could you imagine without parental consent?
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/trump-promises-to-fix-failing-schools-in-the-bronx-by-stopping-sex-change-operations-in-schools-it-happens/ #DonaldTrump #election2024 #LGBTQ+ #education

Gulen, the powerful cleric accused of orchestrating a Turkish coup, dies

> The US-based cleric Fethullah #Gulen, who built a powerful Islamic movement in Türkiye and beyond but spent his later years mired in accusations of orchestrating an attempted coup against Turkish leader Tayyip #Erdogan, has died. He was 83.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/gulen-powerful-cleric-accused-orchestrating-turkish-coup-dies-4691616 #FethullahGulen #Turkey #Turkiye #TayyipErdogan

Josh Shapiro Calls On Authorities to Investigate #ElonMusk

> Gov. Josh Shapiro Calls On Authorities to ‘Take a Look’ at Elon Musk’s Million-Dollar Giveaway to Registered PA Voters

> Though the payout is tied to signature of the petition not registering to vote, come critics — including prominent election law expert Rick Hasen — have questioned the legality of Musk’s giveaway, considering that it is only open to registered voters.
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/gov-josh-shapiro-calls-on-authorities-to-take-a-look-at-elon-musks-million-dollar-giveaway-to-registered-pa-voters/ #JoshShapiro #election2024

US House speaker confirms probe into intelligence leak on Israel's Iran attack plan

> Mike Johnson expects update as to how classified reports were published on social media; #Pentagon says looking into reported disclosure of information
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-house-speaker-confirms-probe-into-intelligence-leak-on-israels-iran-attack-plan/ #US #Israel #Iran