The Baykar Kemankes is a revolutionary weapon system developed by Türkiye’s Baykar, merging the capabilities of a mini cruise missile and loitering munition. Designed for precision strikes, it also performs reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence-gathering missions. With a range of 200 kilometers, the Kemankes can be deployed from drones like the Bayraktar TB-2, keeping operators out of range of air defenses. Its machine learning algorithms and advanced sensors mark a new phase in robotic warfare, enhancing Türkiye’s defense capabilities while paving the way for future autonomous systems.

Strategic Importance in Modern Warfare

Unlike traditional munitions, the Kemankes offers a versatile role on the battlefield. It can loiter in the area, conduct surveillance, and relay intelligence while functioning as a highly precise weapon. This allows for better coordination between unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) and ground-based fire-support systems, improving target acquisition and battle damage assessment. In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the importance of such long-range, precision systems was highlighted, further demonstrating the blurred line between cruise missiles and loitering munitions in hybrid warfare.

Innovative Design and Capabilities

What distinguishes the Kemankes is its long endurance and ability to carry out reconnaissance missions, elevating the level of battlefield intelligence available to commanders. Future versions are expected to enhance these capabilities with increased autonomy, potentially allowing for human-out-of-the-loop operations. Kemankes’ machine learning-driven sensors and data links offer a glimpse into the future of warfare, where interconnected, intelligent systems will dominate. Its long operational range ensures that it can launch from a safe distance, making it a crucial asset in Türkiye’s defense strategy.

Kemankes not only showcases Baykar’s munitions manufacturing capabilities but also reflects the broader evolution of Türkiye’s defense industry. The weapon joins a growing list of indigenous systems designed for a modern, network-centric battlefield. This evolution signals a shift in how nations like Türkiye are integrating unmanned systems with advanced munitions, marking a critical milestone in global defense trends. The Kemankes is poised to play a key role in future conflicts, not only enhancing Türkiye’s military capabilities but also solidifying its status as a key player in the global defense market.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has escalated its legal battle with Elon Musk, announcing on Friday that it intends to pursue sanctions against the tech mogul for failing to appear for court-ordered testimony related to his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter. The SEC claims Musk is engaging in deliberate delay tactics and is seeking a motion to hold him in civil contempt.

In a filing with the San Francisco federal court, the SEC said Musk, the world’s richest person and CEO of both Tesla and SpaceX, had notified them just three hours before his scheduled September 10 testimony that he would not attend, citing his presence at Cape Canaveral to oversee a SpaceX launch. The SEC, however, argued that Musk, as SpaceX’s chief technical officer, had prior knowledge of the launch and accused him of using the event as an excuse to avoid the deposition.

“Musk’s excuse itself smacks of gamesmanship,” said SEC attorney Robin Andrews, calling for the court to intervene and ensure that Musk’s alleged tactics to evade the investigation are halted. According to the SEC, Musk violated a court order from May 31, which had compelled him to testify as part of the regulator’s probe into whether he broke securities laws during his 2022 acquisition of Twitter.

Musk’s attorney, Alex Spiro, dismissed the SEC’s move for sanctions as “drastic” and “unnecessary,” stating that Musk’s absence at the September 10 deposition was due to an “emergency” related to the SpaceX mission. Spiro argued that Musk’s presence at the launch was critical for ensuring the safety of astronauts and emphasized that the testimony has already been rescheduled for October 3.

The SEC is investigating whether Musk breached securities regulations in early 2022 when he began amassing Twitter shares. Under U.S. law, investors must disclose their stake when they acquire 5% or more of a public company. Musk, however, allegedly delayed his disclosure by at least 10 days, ultimately revealing a 9.2% stake in Twitter, which led to his full buyout offer shortly after.

Musk later admitted that he misunderstood the SEC’s disclosure rules, claiming the delay was an “honest mistake.” Nonetheless, the regulator remains concerned that Musk’s actions may have violated securities laws, and it sued him last October after he missed a previously scheduled interview at the SEC’s San Francisco office.

Musk has long had a contentious relationship with the SEC, dating back to the infamous 2018 case where he tweeted about taking Tesla private at $420 per share. That incident led to a lawsuit, which Musk settled by paying a $20 million fine and agreeing to Tesla lawyer oversight on some of his social media posts. However, he has repeatedly accused the SEC of attempting to “harass” him with subpoenas and further legal scrutiny.

The SEC is pressing the court to enforce strict sanctions to prevent Musk from further delays in the ongoing investigation. The regulator has warned that despite the rescheduled testimony for October 3, Musk may still attempt to dodge the investigation, calling for more robust legal measures to compel his compliance. As the battle continues, Musk remains under scrutiny not just for his actions related to Twitter but for the growing influence he wields across tech, automotive, and aerospace industries.

With national security concerns over his Twitter acquisition and his refusal to back down from legal challenges, this latest chapter between Musk and the SEC could have major implications for his businesses—and his reputation as a visionary entrepreneur.

Panic Grips Lebanon: Explosions of Wireless Devices Unleash Chaos Amid Rising Tensions with Israel

In a terrifying and unprecedented turn of events, Lebanon is reeling from a series of deadly explosions that have shattered lives and left a nation on edge. Thousands of Lebanese civilians have been injured, and many more are gripped by fear as electronic devices—including pagers and handheld radios—continue to detonate without warning. What began as routine wireless communication equipment is now a deadly weapon, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake.

The sheer scale of this crisis has sent shockwaves through the region, raising troubling questions about what comes next. In a country already fraught with instability, one unnerving question seems to be on everyone’s mind: “What will explode tomorrow? Cigarette lighters? Mobile phones?”

Over 1,000 Hezbollah Operatives Injured in Coordinated Pager Attacks

The panic began on Tuesday when thousands of pagers, reportedly used by Hezbollah operatives, simultaneously exploded across Lebanon and Syria. The coordinated detonation killed 12 people in Lebanon and left over 2,700 injured, with unconfirmed reports of Iranian Revolutionary Guards among the victims in Syria. According to reports, these pagers—traced back to a Taiwanese company—were covertly modified to carry explosives.

Shady Pager Manufacturer BAC Goes Dark Amid Lebanon Explosion Scandal

The terror escalated on Wednesday when hundreds of walkie-talkies, much larger and more powerful than the pagers, exploded. The second wave of attacks claimed an additional 20 lives and left 450 injured. Unlike the pagers, the heavier walkie-talkies created intense fires, further complicating rescue efforts. The explosions sparked chaos, especially as hospitals struggled to manage the flood of patients suffering from severe burns, lacerations, and amputations.

A doctor outside a Beirut hospital likened the wounds to those caused by rockets, describing patients arriving with horrific facial injuries, many of whom were unable to speak or see. “It’s like something out of a nightmare,” said Dr. Elias Warak, a leading ophthalmologist, recounting surgeries that lasted for hours as medical teams raced to save people’s sight and lives.

Full-Scale War with Hezbollah Now Closer Than Ever – What Happens Next?

For ordinary Lebanese citizens, the fear is palpable. Reports of walkie-talkies and radios detonating have spurred rumors that other common devices might be next. “Maybe tomorrow cigarette lighters will explode?” one witness wondered aloud, expressing the growing anxiety that even the most mundane objects could turn lethal. Already, residents are scrambling to discard any wireless or electronic devices, tossing phones, radios, and even solar-powered systems in the hopes of avoiding the next catastrophe.

Across Lebanon, a haunting unease has settled over the population. The country, no stranger to war and conflict, now faces a new kind of terror—one that comes without warning and strikes in the most unexpected ways. Media outlets across the globe are captivated by the unfolding crisis, with bold headlines like “Beep Beep Boom” and “Tech War Spreads” capturing the chilling reality of the situation. The fear is pervasive, and there seems to be no clear end in sight.

Unsurprisingly, Hezbollah has attributed the devastating attacks to Israel, accusing the Israeli military of orchestrating the explosions as part of its ongoing conflict with the Lebanese militia. While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility, the attacks come amid rising tensions on the northern front. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi have both hinted at a “new phase” in their military operations, signaling that Israel may be stepping up its efforts to neutralize Hezbollah.

Explosive Intel: How Mossad and IDF Sabotaged Hezbollah’s Communication Devices in Bold Operation

The timing of the explosions is also critical. Just days before, the Israeli government was reportedly preparing for a major escalation in the ongoing conflict. Following nearly a year of fighting along Israel’s northern border, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel could no longer tolerate the status quo. In back-to-back meetings with U.S. officials and White House special Middle East envoy Amos Hochstein, both Netanyahu and Gallant emphasized the need for “military action” to ensure the safe return of Israeli citizens displaced by Hezbollah’s rocket fire.

It appears that the explosions were a calculated move in this broader military campaign. Reports suggest that Israeli intelligence identified a vulnerability in Hezbollah’s communications network, allowing them to sabotage the very devices Hezbollah operatives rely on. The destruction of thousands of Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies could severely impair the militia’s operational capabilities, effectively dealing a major blow to its command structure. However, the human cost has been staggering, with many civilians also caught in the deadly blasts.

As the Lebanese people grapple with the fallout of the attacks, harrowing personal stories are emerging from the devastation. Hussein Awada, a 54-year-old resident of Beirut, recounted a horrifying incident he witnessed when a man was helping clear a path for ambulances. “He was trying to move the injured to safety when the walkie-talkie in his hand just exploded,” Awada said. “It took seconds. It blew up in his hands. Maybe lighters will explode tomorrow?”

Others shared similar stories of chaos and destruction. Ali, a 22-year-old trader, described the moment when the pagers first began to explode. “I thought it was a terrorist attack. People were throwing their phones away, thinking they would explode too. I saw a man whose face was cut in half. His eyes were popping out, and blood was everywhere. It was something you only see in the movies.”

NEW ATTACK: After Pager Blasts, Walkie-talkies Used by Hezbollah Explode in Lebanon

Doctors in hospitals across the country are also speaking out about the unprecedented scale of the injuries. In one hospital, Dr. Elias Jarade, a member of parliament and a prominent ophthalmologist, described the frantic efforts to save patients who had been blinded by the blasts. “Some of these surgeries lasted up to five hours. We’re seeing injuries we’ve never dealt with before,” he said.

Lebanon’s crisis is no longer just a national issue—it’s a regional powder keg. Hezbollah’s deep ties to Iran and its growing influence in Syria complicate the already volatile dynamics of the Middle East. And with Israel appearing to intensify its military efforts, the situation could spiral out of control at any moment.

The international community is watching closely, with major world powers expressing concern over the escalating violence. The United Nations has called for restraint, while Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have voiced support for Lebanon’s sovereignty. Yet, as more explosions rock the country, Lebanon’s leaders are facing immense pressure to stabilize the situation before it spirals into a broader conflict.

In the coming days, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah is expected to deliver a highly anticipated address. It remains unclear how Hezbollah will respond to the devastating attacks or whether Israel will continue its offensive. For now, the Lebanese people are left to navigate a new kind of terror—one that could strike at any moment, with no warning, and no clear solution in sight.

As Lebanon stands on the edge of a precipice, one thing is certain: the country will never be the same again. Whether this crisis leads to further conflict or forces a breakthrough in the region’s power dynamics, the stakes have never been higher.

BAC’s Alleged Role in Explosive Pagers in Lebanon Raises Questions as CEO Denies Involvement and Company Disappears

In the wake of recent explosions in Lebanon linked to malfunctioning pagers, all eyes have turned to BAC Consulting, a Hungarian-registered company accused of manufacturing the devices. The company has gone dark, pulling down its website and cutting communication lines, leaving behind more questions than answers about its operations. This sudden disappearance, coupled with the CEO’s firm denial of involvement, adds layers of mystery to an already puzzling situation.

BAC, which was officially registered in Hungary’s corporate registry in 2022, presents itself as a consultancy firm. The company’s CEO, Cristiana Arcidiacono-Barsony, who has a background in physics and claims ties to prestigious institutions and international organizations like UNESCO and the EU, has distanced herself from the affair. In an interview with an Italian news outlet, she stated, “I don’t make pagers. I’m just a broker.” The company’s listed address points to a private residence in Budapest, and an unassuming A4 sign bearing the company name has recently appeared on the building. However, neither the company’s website nor its vague descriptions of projects—including supposed collaborations with the European Union—provide concrete details about BAC’s business dealings.

The scandal deepened when Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer, named BAC as the company behind the defective pagers. At a press conference, Gold Apollo President Hsu Ching-Kuang revealed that BAC had been manufacturing the AR-924 pagers linked to the Lebanon explosions, stating that his company was only responsible for licensing the brand name. “This product is not ours,” Hsu said, distancing Gold Apollo from the faulty devices. Despite multiple inquiries, BAC has not responded, and Hsu revealed that the financial arrangements between the two companies had been unusual, hinting at irregular payments routed through the Middle East.

BAC’s abrupt disappearance and lack of transparency are fueling concerns about its true nature and involvement in the Lebanon explosions. The company’s website, which has since been taken down, was filled with generic images and vague project descriptions, further casting doubt on its credibility. Descriptions of BAC’s consultancy services in telecommunications, environmental development, and international relations failed to mention any specific clients or detailed projects, leading to speculation that the company may have been a front for less-than-legitimate operations.

The fact that BAC went underground almost immediately after the explosions suggests potential culpability, despite the CEO’s denial of involvement. The link between BAC and Middle Eastern financial transactions raises the possibility that the company may have been engaged in activities far beyond its publicly stated consultancy role.

What’s Next?

With BAC Consulting now in hiding, authorities in Lebanon and beyond are likely to ramp up investigations into the company’s role in the explosions and its murky dealings. The company’s sudden disappearance and denial of involvement are unlikely to quell suspicions about its role in the manufacturing of the faulty pagers.

As the investigation continues, one critical question remains: Was BAC Consulting a legitimate business, or is there a more sinister story behind its involvement in the Lebanon explosions?

The coming weeks may hold answers, but for now, the company’s silence only adds to the mounting intrigue surrounding this explosive scandal.

Despite internal turmoil and global competition, Intel secures a massive government grant to bolster U.S. chip production for defense purposes.

Intel is reportedly on the brink of securing a monumental $3.5 billion in government grants to establish advanced chip manufacturing facilities. This substantial funding, reported by Bloomberg, is part of a broader U.S. initiative aimed at reducing reliance on foreign chip producers and boosting local production capabilities.

The agreement, which could be officially announced within days, will see Intel expand its operations with new facilities across multiple U.S. states, including a major plant in Arizona. This project is envisioned to enhance the production of cutting-edge computer chips for both civilian and military applications, reinforcing the U.S. Department of Defense’s technological edge.

Intel’s anticipated windfall comes on top of the $8.5 billion in grants and $11 billion in loans it received earlier this year under the CHIPS and Science Act. This legislation, championed by President Joe Biden, was designed to revitalize the American semiconductor industry and reduce dependency on Asian manufacturers.

Yet, Intel’s path to this financial boon has not been without obstacles. The selection process was fraught with pressure from rival chip makers, concerns about over-reliance on a single company, and bureaucratic delays that almost threatened to trim Intel’s grant. Despite these challenges, Intel emerged as the frontrunner, a testament to its strategic positioning in the semiconductor market.

The decision to funnel billions into Intel is especially notable given the company’s current struggles. August saw Intel grappling with disappointing second-quarter results and announcing a drastic 15% reduction in its workforce. The company’s board has been deliberating severe measures to stabilize its position, including pausing costly factory projects, divesting from divisions like Mobileye, and even considering a split of its core operations.

Amidst these financial pressures and strategic recalibrations, Intel’s commitment to expanding domestic chip production reflects a critical shift in U.S. defense and technology policy. The grants not only underscore the government’s push to strengthen national security but also highlight the precarious balancing act between fostering innovation and managing corporate instability.

Intel’s substantial government funding marks a pivotal moment in the semiconductor sector, potentially setting a precedent for future public-private partnerships aimed at fortifying American technological capabilities. As the announcement looms, the industry will be watching closely to see how Intel navigates its dual challenge of managing its internal turmoil while leading a transformative initiative for U.S. military tech.

A Deep Dive into the Selective Coverage and Underlying Agendas of Beijing and Moscow’s Media Outlets

In the recent presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, a curious pattern emerged: while the debate generated significant buzz across the United States and Europe, it barely registered on the radar of Beijing and Moscow’s state-run media. This quiet response stands in stark contrast to the extensive coverage of the previous debate between Joe Biden and Trump, which was a focal point for Chinese and Russian outlets alike.

Chinese media’s subdued coverage of the Harris-Trump debate is telling. The extensive, albeit critical, coverage of Biden’s debate performance in June showcased the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) strategy of amplifying perceived democratic failures. Biden’s stumble was leveraged to cast doubt on the efficacy of democratic governance, a recurring theme in Chinese state media. Yet, with Harris and Trump, the coverage was conspicuously muted.

China media analysts suggest that this shift may be due to the CCP’s cautious approach to evolving foreign policy narratives. “China is likely still calibrating its stance following Biden’s abrupt policy shifts,” says Kenton Thibaut, a senior resident China fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab. Thibaut points out that the reduced coverage reflects a cautious, fact-based reporting style until the CCP can formulate a coherent narrative.

Another dimension of this media strategy involves China’s discomfort with democratic successes. Anne-Marie Brady, a professor of Chinese politics, and Jonathan Hassid, an Iowa State University professor, both highlight how Chinese media tend to spotlight democratic failures while downplaying successes. In contrast, a more positive portrayal of democratic processes might not align with the CCP’s narrative, which often focuses on criticizing the flaws of Western democracies.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning’s dismissal of the debate as “the United States’ own affairs” further underscores this hands-off approach, revealing Beijing’s preference to sidestep direct engagement with U.S. election matters.

Similarly, Russian state media has adopted a subtle but strategic approach. According to Darren Linvill, co-director of Clemson University’s Media Forensics Hub, Russian outlets like RT and Sputnik have been cautious with their coverage. While avoiding overt criticism, these outlets subtly downplay Harris and highlight Trump. For instance, some articles downplayed Harris’s performance, while others indulged in less direct commentary, such as suggestions about her “imposter syndrome.”

This restrained yet pointed coverage aligns with Moscow’s known preference for Trump, reflecting Russia’s strategic interests in fostering divisive narratives within the U.S. Recent accusations from the U.S. Justice Department about Russian operatives attempting to influence American media further emphasize the ongoing manipulation of narratives by Moscow.

The under-the-radar coverage by both Chinese and Russian media illustrates a broader strategy: avoiding direct engagement while subtly shaping global perceptions. The post-debate period is crucial for monitoring how these narratives evolve, particularly as information and disinformation campaigns ramp up.

As the election cycle continues, the strategic omissions and selective portrayals by Beijing and Moscow underscore the complexities of international media influence. This selective coverage not only highlights their biases but also serves as a reminder of the broader geopolitical chess game being played on the global stage.

AI’s Battlefield: The Race to Control Military’s New Frontier

The world is on the brink of a high-stakes showdown over artificial intelligence (AI) in warfare, with the specter of a new arms race looming large. The 2020s have ushered in an era of unprecedented transformation, where AI’s dual-use nature—serving both civilian and military purposes—has sparked urgent debates about global governance. As nations scramble to integrate AI into their defense systems, the quest to regulate this powerful technology has never been more critical—or more contentious.

The integration of AI into military operations is akin to the advent of nuclear weapons, raising fears of doomsday scenarios and global instability. The urgency for a unified framework to govern military AI is palpable, as countries race to secure their technological edge. Despite some progress, such as the European Union’s AI Act and a UN General Assembly resolution, these initiatives fall short of addressing the rapid pace of AI development in warfare.

Since 2023, two significant frameworks have emerged: the REAIM Summit and the U.S.-led Political Declaration. The REAIM Summit, a Dutch-South Korean initiative, represents a bottom-up approach. It’s a sprawling attempt to gather 2,000 participants from 100 countries to debate and shape norms for military AI. The “Call to Action” from this summit aims to create a comprehensive framework through regional workshops and further discussions in Seoul in 2024. Its inclusive stance is meant to foster global collaboration but could lead to slow, fragmented progress.

In contrast, the U.S. Political Declaration is a top-down approach, directly addressing sovereign states. Launched in February 2024, it’s backed by 54 countries, including nearly all EU member states. The declaration outlines ten measures and six pledges to regulate military AI. Yet, its effectiveness is in question, given potential shifts in U.S. leadership and the geopolitical tensions with China and Russia. Both superpowers view AI as a game-changer, with Russia accelerating its AI efforts despite ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and China eyeing AI as a strategic asset in its regional ambitions.

The challenge of achieving a universally agreed-upon convention is daunting. The rapid evolution of AI outpaces traditional arms control measures, making prolonged negotiations seem futile. While the REAIM Summit provides a platform for broader engagement, the Political Declaration serves as a pragmatic, albeit less ambitious, attempt to set international norms. However, the lack of support from major powers and the Global South complicates the process.

Europe, despite lagging behind the U.S., China, and Russia in military AI, has a pivotal role to play. The EU’s Defence Innovation Office in Kiev highlights its commitment to understanding and leveraging military AI insights. For Europe, the stakes are high. By aligning with REAIM and advocating for the Political Declaration, Europe could play a crucial role in shaping a global governance framework for military AI, potentially tempering the rise of a new arms race.

As the global community grapples with the implications of military AI, the urgency for effective regulation is undeniable. Europe must lead the charge in making military AI governance a priority, balancing the ambitions of the REAIM Summit with the practicalities of the Political Declaration. The question remains: can the world’s powers find common ground before the technology they seek to control accelerates beyond their grasp?

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How Media Monitoring Africa’s New Tool Could Revolutionize Safety—and Raise Free Speech Concerns

Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) is rolling out an artificial intelligence tool aimed at detecting and flagging social media content that could incite violence. The initiative, named Insights into Incitement (I3), represents a significant leap in how technology is harnessed to prevent societal unrest—yet it raises profound questions about its implications for free speech.

I3 is designed to sift through an array of text data, including social media posts, news articles, and political commentaries, to identify and assess comments that might incite violence. It uses a sophisticated algorithm to rank the risk of these posts, marking them in red, yellow, or green based on their potential danger. The tool is accompanied by an online dashboard, offering a transparent, searchable interface for monitoring these flagged contents.

This initiative emerged from the aftermath of the severe violence that rocked South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces in 2021, triggered by former President Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment. The ensuing riots, which resulted in 300 deaths and substantial property damage, exposed the role social media played in fueling unrest. MMA’s response aims to preempt such crises by targeting the incendiary content that sparks these disturbances.

At its core, I3 seeks to address the rising threats faced by minorities and vulnerable groups, including women, who are often targeted by hate-fueled rhetoric. “At particular risk are minorities, fueled by xeno- and Afrophobia as well as vulnerable groups,” the project’s designers note.

Yet, as the technology progresses, so does the potential for controversy. The tool’s training involves recognizing and flagging inciting phrases—a process that, while rigorous, might also capture benign discussions or legitimate dissent. Critics argue that such systems could inadvertently stifle free speech if not carefully managed.

The expansion of AI tools like I3 across Africa also presents a layer of irony. As AI continues to be deployed to identify and combat disinformation, there is a risk that the very technology could be misused to propagate false or harmful narratives. Recent reports, such as one from Freedom House, highlight the dual-edged nature of AI in disinformation: while it can combat fake news, it also has the potential to generate or amplify it.

South African attorney and tech law expert Zinhle Novazi, who lectures at Stellenbosch University, supports the tool’s intent but also raises concerns. On LinkedIn, Novazi emphasized that while I3 can significantly reduce response times to potential threats, ensuring the tool does not infringe on legitimate speech is crucial. “The challenge lies in ensuring that the tool is used responsibly and does not infringe upon legitimate expressions of opinion or dissent,” she cautions.

As South Africa pioneers this AI-driven approach to public safety, the debate is just beginning. The balance between leveraging technology for security and safeguarding freedoms will be critical as I3 and similar tools become integral to managing the digital landscape. This innovation promises to enhance safety, but it also underscores the need for rigorous oversight to prevent potential overreach and protect democratic principles.