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Keeping the Broadcast Alive

Posted August 08, 2022

Ray Blanco

By Ray Blanco

Keeping the Broadcast Alive

Shortly after it invaded Ukraine, the Russian government imposed a digital ‘Iron Curtain’ on its citizens. The purpose is to block out any western media influence regarding the war. But oddly enough, YouTube managed to gain an exception. 

Now, months into its war against Ukraine, Moscow continues allowing its own citizens access to YouTube, leaving a conspicuous hole in its effort to control what is seen and heard within its borders.

Russian citizens' access to YouTube has even continued longer than some Google executives had expected.

Read below for more on that and everything I have my eye on this week…

  1. Keeping the Broadcast Alive

Even with YouTube still available for Russian citizens, YouTube itself has suspended hundreds of channels run by Kremlin-affiliated entities worldwide. 

Still, Moscow continues to demand that YouTube restore its channels. Even going as far as seizing Google’s bank account in the country in a move that forced its local unit to declare bankruptcy and relocate its staff. 

This past July, Russia’s telecommunications regulator fined Google $360 million for refusing to remove content that challenges the Kremlin narrative about the war.

It’s up in the air if YouTube remains active in Russia.

  1. The Chip Wizard Driving China’s Tech Ambitions

When Asian semiconductor makers make dramatic advances, there’s often a common element: Berkeley-educated Liang Mong Song

This one man is linked to two of Asia’s big jumps in semiconductor technology, an engineer legendary in chip-industry circles and barely known outside them.

Mr. Liang, 70 years old, headed Samsung’s chip development during its breakthrough and was also one of the stars behind the rise of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., a major supplier for brands like Apple.

He’s regarded as a chip wizard with a magic touch. 

  1. Another Day Another Crypto Hack

Heists continue to plague the crypto world… 

It seems like every month there’s news of large sums of cryptocurrency stolen from digital currency firms. 

And while crypto exchanges were once the main targets, hackers appear to have a new target now: blockchain bridges.

Blockchain bridges allow users to exchange assets between different blockchains, the digital database behind major cryptocurrencies.

The growing number of attacks on blockchain bridges continues to add to security concerns in the crypto industry. 

  1. Tiny Wind Turbines Could Soon Replace Diesel Generators

Generators are great backup plans for when you might lose power, but they have one flaw that’s hard to get over… what happens if you don’t have any fuel? Well, no power. 

This startup is hoping to have a solution to that problem with mini wind turbines. 

While you need incredibly large turbines to power things like buildings or even cities, smaller turbines could potentially power single-family homes. 

The solution is a mobile power station, a wind turbine that can fit inside of a 20-foot storage container and can be towed by a pickup truck.

  1. EV Makers May Get Their Tax Credit Extension, But There’s a Catch

Just a few weeks ago, EV makers were pulling for the US government to expand its federal EV tax credit. 

Now that an extension has moved closer to reality, those same automakers are not entirely pleased.

The Inflation Reduction Act, proposed last week, would eliminate the current cap on the existing federal EV tax credit and extend it through 2032. But it comes with a catch… 

Starting in 2024, vehicles won’t qualify for the tax credit unless a certain percentage of their battery minerals and components come from domestic sources or the US’s free-trade partners.

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