Russia has begun testing a national internet system that would function as an alternative to the broader web, according to local news reports. Exactly what stage the country has reached is unclear, but certainly the goal of a resilient — and perhaps more easily controlled — internet is being pursued.

HT @garysguide

Microsoft researchers propose an approach to training AI that uses smiles as a reward signal. They say it achieves superior efficiency. #AI

ICYMI The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that a digital sale does not exhaust copyright in ebooks, dealing a major blow to a growing market for ebook resales in Europe. The court’s ruling echoes last year’s RedDigi case, in which the Second Circuit invalidated resales of digital music. #ebooks

Here’s all you need to know about Harry Potter music, including who wrote it, where you can buy it, and where to see it live.

Bookstore chains crumbled, audiobooks exploded and children’s books got woke. #WeAreGettingThere

Novels and nonfiction titles alike have been delayed without explanation, cutting off U.S. authors and publishers from a vast market.

@AIGAeyeondesign posted an open call inviting designers to anonymously share their salary via the Graphic Design Salary Transparency spreadsheet

ICYMI From payments to lending to insurance to checking accounts, Amazon is attacking financial services without applying to be a conventional bank. Find out how. #Amazon

Each day, Amazon gets five billion submissions to edit descriptions and details about the products for sale on its site.

I found this surprising: Around a quarter of Americans had packages stolen from their doorsteps last year, including 90K per day in NYC.

Huawei, China’s tech champion, got as much as $75 billion in tax breaks, financing and cheap resources as it became the world’s top telecom vendor.