SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, we first look at an iPhone security update.
Apple Releases a Significant iPhone Security Update
Another from reader C.B.: Update your iPhone: Apple just pushed out a significant security update. The article begins:
“Apple released a significant security update for iPhones and iPads Thursday to patch newly discovered security vulnerabilities in the devices’ system software.
The issue was discovered by researchers at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab, who said the software flaw was being “actively exploited” to deliver commercial spyware called Pegasus developed and sold by the Israeli company NSO Group.
Pegasus is an expensive tool typically used to target dissidents, journalists and political opponents, so ordinary users likely have little to fear. Still, Citizen Lab recommends that all users should “immediately” update their devices.”
28 New Risk Genes for COVID-19
Over at MedicalXpress: Consortium discovers 28 new risk genes for COVID-19.
The Controversial New Mexico Gun Carry Ban
Linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: Watch: NM Governor Admits Her Concealed Carry Ban Will Not Impact Criminals.
and,
Outrage intensifies over New Mexico governor’s temporary gun ban as sheriff vows not to enforce it.
and,
New Mexico lawmakers call for impeachment of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Air Pollution from Wildfire Smoke Increases Suicide Risk
New research finds air pollution from wildfire smoke increases suicide risk in rural counties.
EU Chief Calls for Global Digital IDs and AI Governance
SurvivalBlog reader C.B. sent us this news link: ‘Future Is Digital’ — EU Chief Calls for Global Digital IDs and New U.N. Body to Govern Artificial Intelligence. Here is an excerpt:
“The world needs international digital ID systems like coronavirus passports and Artificial Intelligence should be regulated by a global body similar to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday.
Speaking before the “One Future” session of the G20 Summit in India, the top Eurocrat declared that the “future will be digital” and therefore more globalist institutions will be needed to set boundaries and regulations.
The German politician, who before ascending to her unelected role as EU Commission President served as Berlin’s Defence Minister, said: ‘Today I want to focus on AI and digital infrastructure. As it has been described, AI has risks but also offers tremendous opportunities. The crucial question is how to harness a rapidly changing technology.'”
Invasive Earthworms are Changing the Soil in Canada
And another item from C.B.: Invasive earthworms are changing the soil in Canada’s boreal forests. A pericope:
“The researchers analyzed soil samples from multiple forest sites in Alberta and Quebec. The study showed that earthworms affected fungal and bacterial communities in the first layer of mineral soil, just below the organic-rich layer known as the forest floor.”
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