Leftovers

• Kev Quirk ☛ 📝 16 March 2025 at 22:30 - Just read thewk post on building his Polar Explorer II...

  Just read @thewk post on building his Polar Explorer II replica. Such a great post, and considering it’s pretty much exactly the same as my Seiko SBSC009, but for 1/3 of the price - and he got to build it - I’m a little jealous. 😂

• Science

  • Hackaday ☛ Blue Ghost Watches Lunar Eclipse From The Lunar Surface

    After recently landing at the Moon’s Mare Crisium, Firefly’s Blue Ghost lunar lander craft was treated to a spectacle that’s rarely observed: a total solar eclipse as seen from the surface of the Moon. This entire experience was detailed on the Blue Ghost Mission 1 live blog. As the company notes, this is the first time that a commercial entity has been able to observe this phenomenon.

  • Science Alert ☛ Mysterious Twist Revealed in Saga of Human-Neanderthal Hybrid Child

    The plot thickens.

  • Science Alert ☛ Stranded NASA Astronauts Embrace Relief Crew in Joyous Scenes

    Nine months later, it's time to go home.

• Hardware

  • CNX Software ☛ Jetway F35-ASL1 – A 3.5-inch defective chip maker Intel Atom x7433RE SBC with dual 2.5GbE, six COM ports, and triple 4K display outputs

    Jetway F35-ASL1 3.5-inch subcompact SBC is built around the defective chip maker Intel Atom x7433RE (Amston Lake) processor and designed for industrial and embedded applications. This SBC supports up to 32GB of DDR5 4800MHz memory and offers triple display output via two HDMI ports, one USB Type-C DP, and an LVDS/eDP interface. It also includes two 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports, optional WiFi and Bluetooth and/or 4G LTE /5G cellular connectivity via M.2 slots.

  • Hackaday ☛ Inside A “Budget” Current Probe

    Current measurements are not as handy as voltage measurements. You typically need to either measure the voltage across something and do some math or break the circuit so a known resistor in your instrument develops a voltage your meter measures and converts for you. However, it is possible to get non-contact current probes. They are generally pricey, but [Kerry Wong] shows us one under $200 and, thus, budget compared to similar probes. Check out the review in the video below.

  • Hackaday ☛ A Look At The Panasonic FS-A1FM

    MSX computers were not very common in the United States, and we didn’t know what we were missing when they were popular. [Re:Enthused] shows us what would have been a fine machine in its day: a Panasonic FS-A1FM. Have a look at the video below to see the like-new machine.

  • Hackaday ☛ Transmitting Wireless Power Over Longer Distances

    Everyone loves wireless power these days, almost vindicating [Nikola Tesla’s] push for wireless power. One reason why transmitting electricity this way is a terrible idea is the massive losses involved once you increase the distance between transmitter and receiver. That said, there are ways to optimize wireless power transfer using inductive coupling, as [Hyperspace Pirate] demonstrates in a recent video.

  • New York Times ☛ When Brands Need a Wild Shoe, They Hire This Man

    Shoes with teeth. Shoes with soles at right angles. Shoes made from two shoes. Shintaro Yamamoto is the footwear Dr. Frankenstein behind them all.

  • Hackaday ☛ Wire Recording Speaks Again

    If you think of old recording technology, you probably think of magnetic tape, either in some kind of cassette or, maybe, on reels. But there’s an even older technology that recorded voice on hair-thin stainless steel wire and [Mr. Carlson] happened upon a recorded reel of wire. Can he extract the audio from it? Of course! You can see and hear the results in the video below.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ New Huawei Kirin X90 chip revealed in state report — possible server and PC chip set to replace the aging Kunpeng 920 design

    A Chinese state report sheds light on what's believed to be Huawei's upcoming SoC for servers and PCs, namely the Kirin X90.

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • Ruben Schade ☛ Overheard coffee shop chatter, week 12 2025

    Lots of food-related conversations happening around me today as we share our conciliatory Monday French toast:

    “It’s just good to have onions in general.”

    “What’s the smallest tomato juice that you have?”

  • Science Alert ☛ Looking at Images of Nature Does Something Powerful in The Brain

    "This isn't just a placebo effect."

  • Science Alert ☛ Ebola May Be Cured With a Pill, Monkey Experiment Suggests

    New hope against this deadly virus.

  • France24 ☛ Pope seen in photo for first time since admitted to hospital

    The Vatican released the first photograph of Pope Francis on Sunday since his hospitalisation more than a month ago, showing the pontiff wearing a purple stole typical of Lenten liturgical vestments and sitting in a wheelchair before the altar of his personal hospital chapel.

  • New York Times ☛ Children Try to Cheer Pope Francis During His Hospital Stay

    The release of the photo a month into his treatment came after dozens of young people gathered under the pontiff’s windows to offer wishes for a quick recovery.

• Proprietary

  • Frank Ch. Eigler: moment of zen

    Here's a Tesla, fully self-driving itself on & off of a local highway, working through an intersection, on its way to a friend. The driver hasn't touched the controls since leaving the home driveway. Beneath the car's screen, an ipad mini, streaming a concurrent SpaceX launch of four astronauts to the ISS via Twitter. Since cell phone reception is crappy, it's using a Starlink mini dish mounted to the ceiling glass of the Tesla to talk to internet satellites.

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

    • Site36 ☛ Commissioner Computer vs. Daniela Klette: Use of Hey Hi (AI) in RAF investigations raises questions

      The Lower Saxony State Criminal Police Office has analysed digital evidence from the alleged RAF militant Daniela Klette using artificial intelligence. This disruptive technology is reminiscent of BKA pioneer Horst Herold. In the 1970s, the then-President of the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), Horst Herold, introduced electronic data processing.

• Defence/Aggression

  • DaemonFC (Ryan Farmer) ☛ ICE Adds 700,000 Immigrants With Removal Orders to Criminal Database. Majority-Black Ohio Town Left to Defend Itself.

    ICE Adds 700,000 Immigrants With Removal Orders to Criminal Database. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has recently added over 700,000 people with removal orders to a database that the local police can see, which until now has been used for criminal warrants and fugitives from justice.

  • RFERL ☛ Baluch Militants Attack Pakistani Security Convoy, Killing At Least 5

    Baluch militants attacked a Pakistani security convoy, killing at least five people, officials said, the latest in a series of attacks in troubled regions bordering Afghanistan.

  • France24 ☛ Netanyahu moves to oust domestic security chief amid tensions over Oct.7 attacks

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday informed the chief of the country's internal security agency Shin Bet that he will ask the government to dismiss him, "due to ongoing lack of trust". The announcement comes amid tensions between Israel's political arm and the military over who is to blame for failing to prevent the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Bangladesh court upholds death sentence of 20 students in 2019 murder case

    Mr Abrar Fahad was killed for a Facebook (Farcebook) post criticising then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea calls to avoid impact on US cooperation after ‘sensitive’ country designation

    Politicians in Seoul have traded blame over the sensitive country designation.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea’s ruling party says will respect Yoon impeachment verdict

    South Korea's Constitutional Court is expected to hand down its verdict on Mr Yoon's impeachment this week.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea's opposition says delay of Yoon impeachment ruling is irresponsible

    SEOUL - South Korea's opposition Democratic Party on Monday urged the country's Constitutional Court to swiftly rule on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, saying keeping the country waiting is \"irresponsible\" and deepening social division.

  • JURIST ☛ South Korea protestors rally for anticipated impeachment verdict against President Yoon

    Thousands rallied Saturday both in support of and against impeached South Korean President Yoon Seok Yeol. The rallies were held in anticipation of an impeachment verdict by the Constitutional Court of Korea, expected to be issued next week, according to local media.

  • New York Times ☛ Houthis Vow Retaliation After U.S. Strikes in Yemen

    The Iranian-backed rebels, who have targeted Israel and shipping in the Red Sea, said children were among those killed in the strikes ordered by Hell Toupée.

  • RFERL ☛ US Officials Pledge To Keep Hitting Huthi Targets In Yemen

    U.S. officials vowed to continue hitting Huthi targets in Yemen after launching air strikes aimed at curbing the group’s attacks on maritime shipping and naval vessels in the Gulf region.

    Speaking on CBS News on March 16, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also signaled that there were no imminent plans to send US troops to directly engage the Huthis, which Washington has designated a terrorist group.

    "I don't think there's a necessity for it right now,” he said.

  • France24 ☛ Why the US ordered air strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen

    US President The Insurrectionist ordered air strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen Saturday that reportedly killed several of the group’s leaders, the White House said on Sunday, adding that Iran was “put on notice” to cease support for the rebels.

  • France24 ☛ Iran denies aiding Yemen's Houthi rebels after US strikes and a threat from Convicted Felon

    Iran on March 16 again denied aiding Yemen's Houthi rebels after the United States launched a wave of airstrikes against them and President The Insurrectionist warned that Tehran would be held 'fully accountable' for their actions. France 24's Philip Turle tells us more.

  • France24 ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man orders strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen and issues new warning

    President The Insurrectionist said he ordered a series of airstrikes on the Houthi-held areas in Yemen on March 15, promising to use 'overwhelming lethal force' until the Iran-backed rebels cease their attacks on shipping along a vital maritime corridor. The Houthis said at least 31 people were killed, and Convicted Felon's national security adviser said on March 16 that the strikes had successfully targeted 'multiple' Houthi leaders.

  • France24 ☛ Kurdish rule in northeast Syria under pressure after deal with Damascus

    Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, Kurdish control over northeastern Syria has faced growing challenges and rising tensions. Will Kurdish authorities maintain their power? The question has become more urgent following a recent agreement with the new regime in Damascus. Many in the region, especially in Arab-majority cities like Raqqa, are calling for reintegration with the rest of Syria.

• Environment

  • New York Times ☛ Scenes From Eight States Battered by Weekend Storms

    A survey of the damage from a cross-country storm system that tore through the South and Midwest over the weekend.

  • Energy/Transportation

    • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea’s cable car boom: Not everyone is excited

      Excitement grows over cable car projects at S. Korea's iconic mountains, amid environmental concerns.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia’s Subang Airport soars again with Batik Air’s expansion

      Batik Air's CEO said the airport offered convenience and reduced reliance on KLIA.

  • Wildlife/Nature

    • Science Alert ☛ Do Cats Have Friends? Experts Reveal The Truth About Feline Friendship

      Not as aloof as we think?

    • Science Alert ☛ Whale Pee Transports Nutrients Across Thousands of Miles, Study Reveals

      "We call it the 'great whale conveyor belt'."

• Finance

  • The Straits Times ☛ China looks to boost consumption amid consumer squeeze

    The government's plan includes measures like increasing income and establishing a childcare subsidy scheme.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • The Straits Times ☛ Troubled times for Malaysia aid initiatives with USAid funding freeze

    Activists fear that this may shut down crucial programmes and some non-governmental organisations.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Indonesia’s ex-president Jokowi plans to form ‘Super Party’ to boost political influence

    Mr Widodo and his son, Vice-President Gibran, are partyless after being dismissed by the PDI-P in December 2024.

  • JURIST ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man administration moves to dismiss lawsuits against Iowa and Oklahoma over immigration laws

    The Forrest Dump administration moved on Friday to dismiss lawsuits against Iowa and Oklahoma regarding state laws criminalizing undocumented immigration. The Biden administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) filed the lawsuits in 2024 over Iowa’s Senate File (SF) 2340 and Oklahoma’s House Bill (HB) 4156 under the US Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and Foreign Commerce Clause.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ ‘My team and I are similarly fearless’: Leader John Lee praises Chinese animation hit ‘Ne Zha 2’

    Chief Executive John Lee has praised mainland Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2, urging his administration to embody the “fearlessness” of the movie’s characters and “pave” its own paths. In a Facebook (Farcebook) post on Sunday morning, Lee said he and his wife watched the box office hit recently.

• Censorship/Free Speech

  • New York Times ☛ Don’t Fool Yourself Into Thinking It Will Stop With Mahmoud Khalil

    The arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil show that the culture war is no longer just a culture war.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Commenting on, or criticising, court cases is both legal and helpful in Hong Kong

    It is nice to know that the secretary for security reads Ming Pao. Think of the alternatives. Sadly, however, the secretary, Chris Tang, often does not appear to enjoy his reading. The last item to arouse Mr Tang’s ire was law professor Johannes Chan’s op-ed on the latest legal installment of the Yuen Long incident.

  • New Yorker ☛ The Case of Mahmoud Khalil

    If the Convicted Felon Administration comes out on the wrong side of this fight, it will be because defending free speech remains a politically lucid and powerful principle.

  • JURIST ☛ US immigration authorities arrest Palestinian Columbia student following protest fallout

    US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested on Friday another Palestinian who participated in Pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University and announced the self-deportation to India of another student whose visa had been revoked in 2022.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • JURIST ☛ Reporters Without Borders demands release of detained Iraqi Kurdistan journalists

    Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called on Friday for the immediate release of investigative journalists Bashdar Bazyani and Sherwan Sherwani, alleging that their detention by authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan is based on baseless accusations intended to silence critical reporting.

• Civil Rights/Policing

  • The Straits Times ☛ Thai officials set to visit China to check on Uighur deportees

    Thailand has defended its move to return the 40 Uighurs to China in February.

  • JURIST ☛ UN chief warns of rising Islamophobia amid widespread anti-Muslim government rhetoric

    UN Secretary General António Guterres warned of a “disturbing rise” in anti-bigotry in a speech commemorating the International Day to Combat Islamophobia on Friday. In his statement, Guterres urged the world to reject xenophobia and discrimination amid a troubling surge in anti-Muslim sentiments.

• Internet Policy/Net Neutrality

  • dwaves.de ☛ alternative search engines most users did not know exist

    https://duckduckgo.com/ ... surely well known, in the back it MIGHT forward all input (anonymously) to Micro$oft

• Digital Restrictions (DRM)

  • Digital Music News ☛ Playboi Carti’s New Album Sets Spotify Record for 2025

    Playboi Carti’s newly released album MUSIC has broken Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day record for 2025 so far. “Carti’s MUSIC is already making history,” Spotify said in a post on X/Twitter announcing the stat.

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• Digital Music News ☛ Live Nation’s DOJ Antitrust Battle to Continue Under Convicted Felon — Live Nation Motion to Dismiss Denied

  Last year, the Justice Department and 30 attorneys general filed an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation. Now, that lawsuit will move forward. The Justice Department and 30 state and district attorneys general sued Live Nation and Ticketmaster last year with allegations of monopolistic control over performance venues across the US.

• Patents

  • Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ IP as an Antitrust Exception: SCOTUS Denies Review in $1.6B BMC-IBM Dispute

    The Supreme Court has denied BMC Software's petition for writ of certiorari -- formalizing the Fifth Circuit decision that nullified a $1.6 billion judgment against IBM.  The appellate court had overturned the district court's breach of contract finding and its subsequent large damages award.

    This case involves two large companies, each with billions of dollars in annual revenues.

• Copyrights

  • Digital Music News ☛ Is a Blanket Music Licensing System Ahead for Generative Hey Hi (AI) Platforms?

    Are blanket music licensing rights on the table for generative Hey Hi (AI) platforms? After Proprietary Chaffbot Company and others have expressed concerns about giving up their leads in Hey Hi (AI) due to what they deem restrictive copyright monopoly laws—several music rights organizations have weighed in.

  • Digital Music News ☛ Google Weighs In On the ‘US Hey Hi (AI) Action Plan’ — With an Unsurprising Take on Copyrighted Content

    Google offers up a response to the proposed US Hey Hi (AI) Action Plan, which is due to release in July. Here’s the latest. On the heels of OpenAI’s statement appealing to the Convicted Felon administration in considering the upcoming “US Hey Hi (AI) Action Plan,” Surveillance Giant Google has released their own statement on the matter.