Read this if you are skeptical about China using their products to spy on us

There has been a lot of talk about China deviously installing spy software in their consumer goods sold in the West, including in cars to allow the authorities in that dictatorship to collect data about what is happening in the West at a micro-scale which they can use in the future to increase their dominance of the world order. 

It sounds fanciful but Which? magazine has said that some Chinese-made airfriers collect personal data and send it back to servers in China using a smartphone app. Smartphones are often paired wirelessly with these sorts of devices to operate them which gives China a way in to monitor people.

The report in The Times states that: "The consumer group [Which?] tested four types of smart gadgets to see how invasive they were of users' privacy. Air fryers made by Xiaomi, Aigostar and Cosori...all wanted to record audio on users' phones with no specified reason, as well as know the customer's precise location, Which? said. The Aigostar and Xiaomi fryers both sent people's personal data to servers in China and the Xiaomi app connected to trackers from Facebook and TikTok."

In addition, "the Huawei Ultimate smartwatch was classed as giving invasive access to parts of someone's phone, including precise location, the ability to record audio, access to stored files and the ability to see all the other apps installed."

Samsung's TV app requested eight "risky" phone permissions including being able to see all the other apps on iPhone.

Trackers in apps are software that monitor data about your activity including how you use your app, your location and the device that you are using.

The information is often sent to big businesses such as Facebook and Google which use the information to target users in respect of advertisements.

In response to the finding, for example, Xiaomi said that it adhered to all UK data protection laws and did "not sell any personal information to 3rd parties".

Can you trust China? Personally the answer to that question is a big NO.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.

Putin behaved like an SS Nazi when he deported 20,000 Ukrainian kids to Russia for indoctrination

Putin lies so much (like Trump!) that he can call 'black' white and believe it. And he has a habit of describing Ukrainians who want to be part of Europe 'Nazis' when he has behaved just like the SS Nazis who 'stole' and deported tens of thousands of Polish children from Poland to Germany in 1940 and selected the blond-haired, blue-eyed ones to turn them into Germans through extensive indoctrination.

Putin learned to commit this huge crime from Hitler for which he has been charged by the International Criminal Court for this mass, war crime. In March 2023, the ICC issued arrest warrants for both Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights. These charges are based on substantial evidence that Russian authorities orchestrated the deportation of Ukrainian children from occupied areas to Russia, where many have reportedly been placed in Russian families, given Russian citizenship, and subjected to forced assimilation into Russian culture​.

The ICC’s charges are rooted in the Rome Statute, which defines the forcible transfer of children from one national group to another as a war crime and, in certain cases, as an act of genocide. By focusing on these forced transfers, the ICC underscores the severity of the situation and the long-term harm such policies inflict on the children, their families, and Ukraine as a whole. This marked the first time the ICC has issued a warrant for a sitting leader of a major world power, highlighting the international community’s condemnation of these actions as serious violations of human rights and international law​.

However, as Russia is not a party to the ICC, enforcing the warrant is challenging. Although the ICC does not have direct jurisdiction in Russia, any travel by Putin to countries that recognize the ICC could potentially lead to his arrest. This unprecedented move has intensified global discussions on accountability for war crimes and the protection of children in conflict zones.

Question: In 1940 after Germany invaded Poland, they deported 20,000 Polish children and selected the blond-haired, blue-eyed ones to turn them into Germans. Correct?

Answer from AI: Yes, that’s largely correct. After Germany invaded Poland in 1939, the Nazis implemented a policy known as Lebensborn, which aimed to "Germanize" children deemed to have "Aryan" features—primarily blond hair and blue eyes. This initiative was part of a broader racial policy to create what the Nazis saw as a "pure" Germanic race. Children who met these physical criteria were often forcibly taken from their families and sent to Germany to be raised as Germans, with their Polish identities erased.

As part of the Lebensraum (living space) policy, which sought to expand German territory, the Nazis displaced hundreds of thousands of Polish civilians, often separating families. While exact numbers vary, it is estimated that up to 200,000 Polish children were taken during the occupation, and many were never reunited with their biological families after the war. Those who didn't meet the physical criteria, or who resisted, often faced harsh treatment, including internment in concentration camps.

This abduction and forced Germanization of Polish children remains one of the tragic examples of Nazi racial ideology in action.

How many Ukrainian children has Putin taken from Ukraine in the current war after Russia's invasion, and forced them to live in Russia to become Russians through indoctrination?

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ukrainian officials estimate that approximately 20,000 to 27,000 children have been taken from Ukraine into Russia or Russian-occupied areas. Many of these children were reportedly subjected to Russian "filtration" processes, which involved screening them and often placing them in Russian-controlled territories or with Russian adoptive families, sometimes under false claims that they were orphans. For example, in occupied areas like Mariupol and Kherson, Russian authorities searched orphanages, removed children, and relocated them to regions within Russia​.

The forced transfers have been widely condemned, and Russia’s policies regarding Ukrainian children appear to include issuing Russian citizenship to these children and enrolling them in schools or foster care within Russia. Many reports indicate that they are pressured to adopt Russian culture and language, effectively erasing their Ukrainian identities through systematic indoctrination, similar to the Nazi Lebensborn program. Russian authorities have defended the relocations as "evacuations" or “humanitarian measures,” but international bodies, including the UN, view them as human rights violations and potential war crimes due to the forced assimilation and denial of the children's Ukrainian heritage.

Efforts to return these children are underway, with Ukrainian organizations, international coalitions, and human rights advocates calling for their safe return and for accountability for those involved in their forced displacement.

Do you see the very close similarities between these two crimes?

Yes, the parallels between Nazi Germany’s abduction of Polish children and Russia’s forced transfer of Ukrainian children are striking. Both cases involve the large-scale removal of children from their families and their forced assimilation into the occupying power's culture, with the intent of erasing their original identities and replacing them with those of the dominant ideology.

Key Similarities

1. Ideological Justification and Forced Assimilation: Both Nazi Germany and Russia justified these removals under the guise of "saving" or "helping" children from areas of conflict. Nazi policy targeted Polish children with “Aryan” features for assimilation into German society, viewing them as racially valuable. Similarly, Russia claims it is evacuating Ukrainian children for their safety, but it systematically places them with Russian families, grants them Russian citizenship, and instills Russian culture, language, and identity—often explicitly prohibiting Ukrainian heritage​.

2. Legal and Bureaucratic Systems for Identity Erasure: Both regimes developed legal frameworks to alter the children’s identities. Under the Nazis, children’s names were changed, and they were often unaware of their true origins. In Russia, streamlined adoption and citizenship processes allow Russian families to change the names, birth dates, and even places of origin of Ukrainian children, who are then raised to view themselves as Russian​.

3. Objective of Cultural and National Erasure: In both scenarios, the intent appears to be not just the physical displacement of children but a strategic attempt to dilute or erase the cultural identity of the children’s nation. For Nazi Germany, this was part of a broader goal to create a racially "pure" Germanic Europe. In Russia’s case, the absorption of Ukrainian children serves to weaken Ukrainian cultural continuity and legitimize Russia's occupation by "Russifying" future generations​.

4. Violation of International Law: Both policies are in violation of international laws designed to protect children, particularly during conflicts. The UN and human rights organizations have condemned both actions as forms of genocide. Under international law, the forced transfer of children with the intent to assimilate them into another national group is recognized as a war crime and an act of genocide​.

These similarities underscore a disturbing pattern: the use of children as instruments in a broader strategy of occupation and cultural erasure. Both Nazi Germany and modern Russia used this tactic to destabilize and absorb territories by attempting to eliminate the cultural foundations of their occupied populations. The long-term psychological and cultural impacts on the children and their communities are profound, leading to deep-seated trauma and loss of cultural identity that lasts well beyond the conflict itself.

And it is interesting that Putin calls Ukrainians 'Nazis' when he is behaving like an SS Nazi in deporting the Ukrainian children.

Yes, it’s deeply ironic and contradictory that President Putin justifies his invasion of Ukraine by branding Ukrainians as “Nazis,” while some of his policies resemble Nazi-era strategies, particularly in the forced deportation and "re-education" of Ukrainian children. His accusations tap into powerful historical narratives, but the documented actions involving Ukrainian children reflect tactics historically associated with Nazi occupation policies.

Propaganda and the “De-Nazification” Claim

Putin has frequently framed his invasion as a “de-Nazification” mission, a claim that many historians and international experts view as baseless. While there are far-right elements in many countries, including Ukraine, this framing ignores the fact that Ukraine is a democratic nation with a Jewish president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose family suffered during the Holocaust. Putin’s rhetoric has been widely criticized as propaganda intended to galvanize Russian public support by invoking memories of World War II and framing Russia as a liberator once again​.

Deportation and Forced Assimilation: An Echo of Nazi Tactics

Putin's government has implemented policies strikingly similar to the Nazi SS’s forced assimilation of Polish children. By deporting Ukrainian children and placing them in Russian families, where they are subjected to forced cultural assimilation, Russia's actions align closely with Nazi Germany’s efforts to “Germanize” select groups of Polish and Eastern European children. Both instances involve altering children's identities and erasing their connections to their heritage. International organizations, including the United Nations, have condemned this forced displacement as a possible war crime or even genocide, based on the intent to destroy a part of a national group by erasing its future generation's identity​.

International Response and Historical Accountability

The deportations of Ukrainian children have garnered significant international backlash. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has even issued an arrest warrant for Putin and Russian Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, charging them with war crimes related to these forced deportations. Such legal actions highlight the global community’s recognition that these practices are part of a disturbing strategy with historic precedents, particularly those that evoke the Nazi SS’s approach to occupied territories​.

In essence, Putin's portrayal of Ukrainians as "Nazis" is not only misleading but also hypocritical, given that some of his policies mirror the very atrocities he claims to oppose. This has sparked widespread condemnation, especially from those familiar with World War II history, as Russia's policies seem to revive the oppressive tactics it once vowed to prevent.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.

Girl loved the family dog who killed her. Lessons to be learned.

This as you might guess is an entirely fictional depiction of a child in a loving relationship with the family dog.

The newspapers today say that a 10 year old girl had a "close, loving relationship" with her family's dog before it killed her. That's according to the police report and it is in some ways shocking to read that because in millions of homes across the UK and other countries there are loved family dogs in good relationships with children who, it seems to me, can unknowingly present a hidden and potentially fatal danger to the family.

Update: From the BBC: "A pet dog which fatally injured a 10-year-old girl was an XL bully, police have confirmed. North Yorkshire Police said the animal had been euthanised after it killed Savannah Bentham at her family home near Malton in North Yorkshire on Friday."

We don't know the exact reasons why this particular dog killed this girl but below I have addressed some possibilities and also addressed the obvious conclusion which is that families need to be educated about dog behaviour to a high standard to minimise the possibility of this kind of tragedy happening.

And these tragedies do happen all too often. My research indicates that in 2023, fatal dog attacks in the UK reached an unusually high level, with a total of 10 fatalities reported across England and Wales. This was a sharp increase from previous years during which dog attacks averaged around three annually. The rise has been put down to an increase in the dog population and behavioural issues linked to insufficient training or socialisation of the dogs.

There is a point there. The dog to be a family dog must be fully and completely socialised i.e. domesticated. The same applies to cats of course. Dogs are predators. They have to totally accept the humans they live with and the humans, I believe, need to be adequate leaders i.e. alpha dogs in the eyes of the family dog.

It seems also to me that sometimes children are not properly educated about dog behaviour and how to handle dogs. They can inadvertently stimulate instinctive, defensive behaviour in dogs. The child can be transformed in the eyes of the dog from a friendly pack member to a hostile intruder and be attacked by the dog as a defensive measure.

In this instance, the girl was bitten at home and died at the scene, North Yorkshire police said. The police were called to Malton by ambulance crews at 4:15 PM on Friday last. The dog will be destroyed after it was seized.

They said: "Officers are conducting detailed enquiries covering all aspects of the incident. One of the lines of the enquiry relates to the behaviour of the dog to help explain, as far as possible, why it attacked the girl. All indications so far suggest it was out of character, with the girl and dog having a close, loving relationship."

After the attack a relative of the girl shut the dog inside a car before the emergency services arrived. The girl is not been identified publicly and a post-mortem examination was due to take place yesterday.

There is a lesson to be learned here. I hope it is learned. Young children particularly in family homes with dogs need to be protected and the parents need to take a very hard look at what they are doing to ensure that their protection is in place.

The tragic and confusing case of a beloved pet dog harming its owner, especially a child who loved it, often results from a complex mix of factors rather than the dog being inherently "bad." Here are a few possible explanations:

1. Unintentional Provocation or Startling

• Startling During Sleep or Rest: Dogs, especially older ones or those with vision or hearing impairments, can be startled more easily. If a child accidentally startled the dog by suddenly hugging, touching, or grabbing it while it was resting, the dog might have reacted instinctively in a way that it normally wouldn't when fully aware.
• Unintentional Rough Handling: Young children often don’t realize their own strength or may not recognize when a dog is uncomfortable. Grabbing fur, pulling on tails, or climbing on the dog—even with love—can be painful or overwhelming, triggering a defensive reaction.

2. Medical Issues or Pain

• Hidden Pain or Illness: Dogs in pain, even if mild, are more likely to react aggressively, especially if the pain is aggravated. Issues like arthritis, dental problems, or internal pain may not be obvious to owners. If a child inadvertently touched a sore area, the dog might have reacted with a "warning bite" that escalated.
• Neurological Conditions: Certain health issues, like brain tumors or neurological disorders, can impact a dog's behavior. These conditions can make the dog more irritable, unpredictable, or even aggressive, sometimes without any clear external provocation.

3. Protective or Territorial Instincts

• Guarding Behavior: Some dogs have a strong guarding instinct and might react aggressively if they feel their space, food, or toys are threatened. This is particularly common if the dog wasn’t well-socialized or trained to handle different situations. Even a loving dog might become defensive over its food or sleeping area.
• Redirected Aggression: Sometimes, if a dog is feeling agitated or frustrated, that energy can be "redirected" at whoever is nearby. For instance, if a dog saw something outside (like another animal) and became aroused or frustrated but couldn’t reach it, it might redirect that frustration onto the nearest person.

4. Resource Guarding

• Dogs may guard food, toys, or other resources instinctively, even from those they love. A child might not recognize signs of resource guarding (growling, stiffening, or lip curling), which could escalate if the dog felt the child was infringing on its possessions.

5. High-Prey Drive or Play Escalation

• Some dogs, especially certain breeds, have high-prey drives, where fast or jerky movements can trigger a chasing or biting response. This doesn’t mean they intend harm, but if play becomes too rough, the dog might unintentionally injure the child.
• Overstimulation: In a playful state, dogs can get overstimulated and bite harder than intended, especially if they haven’t been trained to control their bite force or if they are young and energetic.

6. Stress and Anxiety

• Environmental Stress: Dogs are sensitive to their environment. Loud noises, disruptions in routine, or even underlying tension in the home can increase stress. A dog under stress may react more aggressively than usual.
• Lack of Socialization: Dogs that weren’t well-socialized as puppies may struggle to feel comfortable or safe in situations involving close human interaction. Even a dog that seems friendly most of the time may not have been exposed to enough situations that involve children’s unpredictability.

7. Misinterpreted Signals and Boundaries

• Dogs have subtle ways of communicating discomfort, like turning their heads away, licking their lips, or yawning. These signals are often missed by children, who might not understand that the dog is stressed. If the dog feels it has no escape, it might escalate to biting to enforce its boundaries.

While incidents like this are heartbreaking, understanding the reasons behind such behavior can shed light on how to prevent similar tragedies. Training dogs, teaching children respectful pet interactions, and monitoring pet health closely can help reduce the likelihood of such situations.

Tragic incidents like these serve as powerful reminders of the importance of understanding dog behavior, particularly when children are involved. Many people assume that a dog’s loving nature guarantees it will always be safe around children, but the reality is that dogs are still animals with instincts and boundaries that can be misunderstood or inadvertently crossed. Here are some proactive steps that all dog owners with children should consider:

1. Education on Canine Body Language

• Recognize Subtle Warnings: Many dogs display warning signs like yawning, lip licking, looking away, or tensing up when they’re uncomfortable. Teaching children to recognize these signals can prevent a dog from feeling the need to escalate to a bite.
• Teach “No-Go Zones”: It’s helpful for children to know when and where it’s not safe to interact with a dog—such as when the dog is eating, sleeping, or in its bed or crate.

2. Training for the Dog

• Basic Obedience and Bite Inhibition: Training dogs in basic commands and bite inhibition from a young age is essential. Obedience commands like “leave it” or “stay” can help manage unexpected situations, and bite inhibition training teaches dogs to control their mouth pressure.
• Socialization: Socializing dogs from a young age to various environments, people (including children), and situations helps reduce anxiety and reactivity, making them more tolerant of different behaviors.

3. Supervised Interactions

• Direct Supervision: Interactions between dogs and young children should always be closely supervised. Children may unintentionally hurt or provoke a dog, and even the most tolerant dogs can react if they feel overwhelmed.
• Limit Rough Play: Games like tug-of-war or chase can overstimulate some dogs, especially high-energy breeds, leading to accidental bites. Encouraging calm interactions like petting or fetch can help avoid rough play that might escalate.

4. Teach Children Respectful Behavior

• Boundaries and Respect: Children should be taught to respect a dog’s space and boundaries. They need to understand that dogs, like people, sometimes need alone time and may not want to be hugged or crowded.
• Gentle Touch and Approach: Teaching kids how to pet and approach a dog calmly and gently can help prevent accidental discomfort for the dog. No grabbing, pulling, or startling.

5. Routine Veterinary Care

• Regular Check-Ups: Since dogs in pain are more likely to react defensively, routine veterinary check-ups can help catch health issues before they lead to discomfort or aggression.
• Address Behavioral Changes: If a dog’s behavior changes, especially if it becomes more irritable or withdrawn, this can be a sign of underlying health issues. Consulting a vet or behaviorist can help address the root cause before it escalates.

6. Understanding Individual Dog Temperaments

• Every Dog is Different: Some dogs are naturally more tolerant, while others have lower thresholds for certain behaviors. Understanding the unique personality and tolerances of your pet can guide you in managing interactions and setting appropriate boundaries.

7. Enlisting Professional Help When Needed

• Behaviorists and Trainers: If a dog has a history of resource guarding, reactivity, or anxiety, working with a professional trainer or behaviorist can make a significant difference. These professionals can teach specialized techniques to manage and reduce potential triggers.

8. Empowering Kids with “Safe” Behaviors Around Dogs

• Teach children to “be a tree” if a dog is too excited or seems uncomfortable. Standing still, looking away, and keeping their arms close can help prevent escalation.
• Empower kids to alert an adult if a dog displays concerning behavior or if they’re unsure about how to approach it.

While heart-breaking, cases like this do raise awareness and reinforce the need for educating both children and adults on safe, respectful dog interactions. It’s about respecting the needs and boundaries of both the dog and the child to create a safe, loving environment for everyone involved.

P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.

What cat owners think about communicating with cats and dogs. Infographic.

There is little need to add to the information in the infographic. The responses look pretty typical and normal to me and they reinforce the knowledge that we have very close, enduring and important bonds with our cats and dogs and are able to communicate with them in a pretty refined way (both ways). Cat and dog companions are of vital importance to very many people - a significant proportion of the population of many countries.

What cat owners think about communicating cats by Michael Broad

P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.

Los Angeles pounds are poorly mismanaged, abusive houses of horrors

This is a fictional image of a dog pound created by AI. It looks nice doesn't it? Shame all dog pounds (shelters) are not as clean and colourful.

The words of the title come direct from someone who is the best qualified to write them: Nathan Winograd. This post is a reworking of his email to me. I hope he accepts. I want to get the message out but I have limited time.....

A recent report from the City Controller's Office indicates that Los Angeles shelters are euthanizing dogs at unprecedented rates. In August, the latest data available, 226 dogs were euthanized in L.A. shelters, marking the highest number since January 2022. Additionally, over 250 cats were euthanized in July, the highest figure recorded since that date. The kitten save rate plummeted to its lowest in July, with only 69% being saved.

The report suggests the cause is a staff that is incompetent, indifferent, and abusive.

Moreover, there has been an uptick in euthanasia, with dogs languishing for extended periods in dirty kennels without walks, often lacking clean water and comfortable bedding. This neglect leads to heightened stress, which then becomes a pretext for Los Angeles Animal Services to deem them "unadoptable," despite their health and good temperament outside of these conditions.

Simultaneously, cat rooms remain largely or completely vacant, as staff members reject stray cats, causing widespread abandonment. Near one shelter, volunteers have taken on the responsibility of caring for many abandoned cats.

Investigations by the Los Angeles Times have also revealed rabbits suffering from severe injuries, guinea pigs left without food, and hamsters confined in cages soaked with urine and faeces. Furthermore, when a staff member confessed to hitting dogs, it was the whistle-blower, not the perpetrator, who faced repercussions.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a motion that assigns blame for the killings in their animal shelters to various parties, excluding the actual responsible parties — the shelter's director and staff. The Supervisors also agreed on proposals that are unlikely to significantly reduce the killings, including the endorsement of potential statewide legislation. 

Moreover, a Los Angeles Times investigation revealed that the county's shelters are euthanizing more dogs, despite a decrease in intake and promises of increased adoptions facilitated by new facilities. The report highlighted violations of county policies by staff during euthanasia, a failure to consult with rescue groups beforehand, and inadequate visiting hours for potential adopters. The article did not address a key factor contributing to the rise in euthanasia: staff preventing non-profit organizations and No Kill shelters from rescuing animals, even upon request.

Rescuers have taken legal action against Los Angeles County under the Hayden Law, which prohibits such killings. The Court of Appeal ruled unanimously that shelters cannot euthanize dogs if rescue groups are willing to save them, barring cases of severe suffering or documented dangerous behavior. Despite this, the county continues to implement policies that circumvent this ruling. While the shelters may be modern, the staff's outdated attitudes result in a high mortality rate for the animals.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.