Leftovers

• Science

  • New York Times ☛ Ideology May Not Be What You Think but How You’re Wired

    In her new book, “The Ideological Brain,” the neuroscientist Leor Zmigrod outlines what makes some people prone to rigid thinking.

  • Adam Young: How big a matrix can we fit

    Many of the big scientific computing problems can be solved using matrix mathematics. One of my favorite problems to tackle is implementation of vector times matrix = vector. This has utility in many places, one of which is inference in neural networks.
    
    Since an ARM processor has some support for vector and matrix mathematics, I started wondering what were the size limitations we would hit when trying to solve big problems. Here are some notes: [...]

  • Science Alert ☛ ESA Report Says There's Too Much Junk in Earth Orbit Trunk

    Clean up, aisle 100.

  • Science Alert ☛ Cutting Back on One Amino Acid Increased Lifespan in Middle-Aged Mice Up to 33%

    Intriguing...

• Hardware

  • CNX Software ☛ ADLINK COM-HPC-mMTL – A COM-HPC Mini Computer-on-Module with up to 16-core defective chip maker Intel Core Ultra 7 165H processor

    ADLINK COM-HPC-mMTL is an industrial-grade COM-HPC Mini Computer-on-Module based on defective chip maker Intel Meteor Lake processors up to the 16-core defective chip maker Intel Core Ultra 7 165H featuring defective chip maker Intel Arc Graphics with eight Xe cores, defective chip maker Intel Hey Hi (AI) Boost NPU up to 8.2 TOPS, and 16x PCIE Gen4 lanes.

  • CNX Software ☛ Aerium Lumen – An NVIDIA Jetson carrier board for drones and robots

    Aerium System’s Lumen is a carrier board for NVIDIA Jetson SO-DIMM modules designed specifically for drones and robots with a range of low-profile connectors for I/Os for USB, UART, I2C, etc…, and three M.2 sockets for storage and wireless expansion. It targets the same applications as ARK Electronics’ NDAA-compliant Jetson Orin Nano/NX carrier board for drones we covered last year, but it’s not sold as a full kit and lacks NDAA-compliance.

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • JURIST ☛ Romania facing growing barriers to reproduction rights amid legislative rollback, rights group says

    Human Rights Watch (HRW) decried the escalating obstacles in accessing abortion, contraception, and comprehensive sexuality education for Romanian women and girls in a report released on Monday.

  • Latvia ☛ Latvia's E. coli outbreak had at least two sources

    Investigations of E. coli cases to date have identified at least two sources of infection, indicating two separate outbreaks, epidemiologist Jurijs Perevoščikovs, Director of the Department of Risk Analysis and Prevention at the Disease Prevention and Control Centre (SPKC) told Latvian Radio on 8 April.

  • Federal News Network ☛ Three government strategies for expanding and supporting behavioral healthcare workers

    According to data from Mental Health America, the U.S. has only one mental health care provider available for every 350 people in the country.

  • North Korean hospitals are posting price lists

    The fee schedules for medicine, treatment are on display at state-run hospitals for the first time, sources say

  • Latvia ☛ Group accused of illegal cigarette production in Latvia

    The State Border Guard Service has handed over to the prosecutor's office of South Latgale a criminal case against 25 Ukrainian citizens who were involved in the production of illegal cigarettes in Ludza in an organized group, LSM.lv reports.

  • Science Alert ☛ Shock Link Found Between Marriage And Risk of Developing Dementia

    In sickness and in health.

  • Science Alert ☛ Your Pee Isn't a Health Tonic, No Matter What Ancient Wisdom Claims

    Just let it go.

• Proprietary

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

    • New Yorker ☛ [SLOP] Article on How to Tell If the Article You’re Reading Is [SLOP]

      If artificial intelligence wrote it, redundancies won’t be there. I repeat, if artificial intelligence wrote it, redundancies won’t be there.

    • Scoop News Group ☛ Tech experts recommend full steam ahead on US export controls for AI

      While the efficiency of newer Chinese models like DeepSeek have rumbled U.S. Hey Hi (AI) markets, experts say previous restrictions on the sale of computer chips and other important components are having an impact.

• Security

  • SANS ☛ Microsoft April 2025 Patch Tuesday, (Tue, Apr 8th) [Ed: And still full of bug doors]

    This month, Abusive Monopolist Microsoft has released patches addressing a total of 125 vulnerabilities. Among these, 11 are classified as critical, highlighting the potential for significant impact if exploited. Notably, one vulnerability is currently being exploited in the wild, underscoring the importance of timely updates.

  • Integrity/Availability/Authenticity

    • WhichUK ☛ Scamscriptions: how to stop a dodgy recurring payment

      Unauthorised subscriptions are on the rise, Which? explains how to cancel them and recover your money

  • Privacy/Surveillance

    • Press Gazette ☛ Why The Independent wants readers to download browser extension for personalised music ads [Ed: Here is how this publisher dooms itself and its reputation. "Our articles are just 'bait' for us to spy on you and sell your data...."]

      Guardian also signed up to try out the new music-themed adtech.

• Defence/Aggression

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia man drives 2km before realising 3-year-old son had fallen out of car window

    The child had likely fallen out through a rear window when the father stopped the vehicle to take a call.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China criticises US V-P Vance for calling its people ‘peasants’

    Mr Vance had said the US "borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture".

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ US, China clash as The Insurrectionist set to unleash 104% tariff

    The United States and China hurtled towards an all-out trade war Tuesday, locked in a high stakes game of brinkmanship as The Insurrectionist prepared to unleash a new wave of tariffs against dozens of partners.

  • New York Times ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man Maintains 104% China Tariffs as U.S. Officials Signal Openness to Talks

    Jamieson Greer, the United States trade representative, and other Convicted Felon administration officials said the United States was ready to negotiate but that would not stop stiff tariffs from taking effect.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China vows to ‘fight to the end’ as Convicted Felon tariff war rages

    The US threats were “a mistake on top of a mistake”, said a Chinese official.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China state firms vow to boost share purchases to calm markets roiled by tariff war

    The firms are buying more tech stocks and exchange-traded funds.

  • New York Times ☛ China Accuses U.S. of Blackmail After Convicted Felon Threatens More Tariffs

    China sees little to gain in capitulating to Hell Toupée’s tariff threats, labeling them “blackmail” and vowing to “fight to the end.”

  • New York Times ☛ Stock Markets Slide Again as Convicted Felon Plans to Move Ahead With More China Tariffs

    An early rally on Wall Street faded and the S&P 500 ended the day down 1.6 percent after the White House reaffirmed plans to impose high tariffs on China and other countries at midnight.

  • CS Monitor ☛ As US tariffs rise, could Chinese consumers take up the export slack?

    The world is awash with Chinese manufactured exports; as tariffs tighten that market, Beijing may have to look for new opportunities to drive growth.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korean Trade Minister says considering measures to boost US imports

    The Insurrectionist announced a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff rate for South Korea.

  • The Straits Times ☛ India overhauls teaching in Himalayan Buddhist monasteries to counter China

    India is preparing to roll out its first school curriculum for Buddhist monasteries this month, aiming to unify education programmes and foster patriotism in Himalayan religious centers near its border with China.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Nato chief says China military expansion is ‘staggering’

    He highlighted China's build-up of its armed forces and investments in its defence industry during a visit to Japan.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Philippines adds speedy warship to maritime arsenal

    The ship’s arrival follows months of confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea.

  • JURIST ☛ UN experts call for an end to arbitrary indefinite detention in Syria

    UN experts on Monday called for an end to the arbitrary, indefinite detention of approximately 52,000 people in Syria.

  • Site36 ☛ “The attack is broader, it didn’t start with Budapest nor with the Antifa Ost case”

    The antifascist Rexhino “Gino” Abazaj explains about his arrest, right-wing politics and leftist struggles in Europe Interview: John Malamatinas, Matthias Monroy You were born in Albania, then lived in Italy, and were eventually arrested in Finland. What were you doing there? I grew up in Italy and lived there for 20 years.

  • Site36 ☛ Probation for planned bomb plot: Berlin court rules in leftist “Easter surprise” from 30 years ago

    Two left-wing radicals who had gone underground in Venezuela turned themselves in for a deal with the judiciary. Almost exactly 30 years to the day after the act, the negotiated verdict was handed down.

  • The Straits Times ☛ North Korea says its status as a nuclear weapons state can never be reversed: KCNA

    The state media cited Ms Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of supreme leader Kim Jong Un.

  • The Straits Times ☛ North Korea says its status as a nuclear weapons state can never be reversed, KCNA says

    SEOUL - North Korea's status as a nuclear weapons state can never be reversed, no matter how much the United States and its Asian allies demand it, state media reported on Wednesday, citing the powerful sister of its supreme leader.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea says it fires shots after North Korean soldiers cross demarcation line

    The South’s military had earlier said about 1,500 North Koreans were working in the demilitarised zone.

  • Japan to extend trade sanctions against North Korea for 2 years

    The county cited the North’s nuclear weapons development programs and issue of abductees as reasons for extension.

  • ADF ☛ M23 Resurgence in Eastern DRC About Power, History, Resources

    Speaking to the United Nations Security Council in February, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Thérèse Kaykwamba Wagner, said more than 4,000 people were killed in 48 hours when Rwanda-backed M23 rebels overran the city of Goma.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • Meduza ☛ Russian court seizes majority stake in St. Petersburg Oil Terminal from family of founder, who co-owned facility with early Putin associate — Meduza

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Russia’s endless ceasefire excuses are proof that Putin does not want peace

      Russia’s endless ceasefire excuses are proof that Vladimir Putin does not want peace and remains committed to the complete destruction of Ukraine as a state and as a nation, writes Peter Dickinson.

    • Meduza ☛ Belarusian opposition figure Angelika Melnikova is missing. Her ex-husband and children just turned up in Belarus. — Meduza

    • LRT ☛ Lithuania wants to limit return journeys of Belarusian migrants

      Lithuania’s parliament is eyeing limits on return journeys for Belarusian migrants. If the proposals are approved, those travelling home more than once every quarter would lose their residence permits.

    • Latvia ☛ Beware of scam e-mails as if from Latvian Television

      The Latvian Public Media (LSM) calls the public's attention to the fact that fraudulent e-mails have been sent using the names of Latvian Television (LTV) and Latvian law firms, threatening legal consequences for alleged copyright monopoly infringement.

    • RFERL ☛ Chinese Nationals Fighting For Russia Captured In Ukraine, Zelenskyy Claims

      President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Ukrainian armed forces captured two Chinese nationals who were fighting as part of the Russian Army in Ukraine's Donetsk region and called on Kyiv's allies to react to the situation and demand an explanation from Beijing.

    • RFERL ☛ Ukraine Mourns Children Killed In Deadly Russian Attack On Zelenskyy's Hometown

      Several vigils were held in the Ukrainian city of Kryviy Rih for some of the 20 people -- nine of whom were children -- killed over the weekend at a playground and restaurant that were struck by an air strike as Russia again denied firing on civilian infrastructure despite evidence to the contrary.

    • New York Times ☛ Two Chinese Citizens Captured in Ukraine While Fighting for Russia, Zelensky Says

      The Ukrainian president did not suggest that they had been sent by Beijing’s military, but he pointed to their presence as further evidence that Moscow was not truly interested in peace.

    • Meduza ☛ Zaluzhnyi confirms joint U.S.-Ukrainian command center in Germany

    • Meduza ☛ Zelensky says Ukraine captured two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia — Meduza

    • LRT ☛ US may pull thousands of troops from Eastern Europe – media

      The United States may withdraw up to 10,000 troops from Poland and Romania, which were stationed there following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, NBC News reports citing six unnamed US and European officials.

    • The Strategist ☛ No, it’s not new. Russia and China have been best buddies for decades

      Maybe people are only just beginning to notice the close alignment of Russia and China. It’s discussed as a sudden new phenomenon in world affairs, but in fact it’s not new at all.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Michta in Lithuanian National Radio and Television on the necessity of US-European cooperation on defense

      On April 4, Andrew Michta, senior fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative, was interviewed by Lithuanian National Radio and Television on the status of transatlantic relations, NATO, and European defense as the Convicted Felon administration challenges the status quo.

    • LRT ☛ Russian pop singer’s concert in Vilnius sparks outrage

      The Russian-Lithuanian pop singer Kristina Orbakaitė, a daughter of the Russian pop star Alla Pugacheva, is planning a concert in Vilnius next month. The resulting public controversy has drawn comments from the country’s prime minister.

    • LRT ☛ Lithuania moves to extend sanctions with additional penalties on Russians, Belarusians

      Lithuanian MPs on Tuesday gave their initial backing to plans to extend the existing national sanctions against Russian and Belarusian citizens, while imposing additional penalties on residents from these countries who make frequent trips home.

    • Meduza ☛ The ruble has been surging since Trump returned to office. That could be bad news for Russia’s state budget. — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russia says next round of talks with U.S. planned for April 10 in Istanbul — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russian police are raiding gyms, sweeping up men for conscription and deportation — Meduza

    • RFERL ☛ US Confirms Meeting With Russia On Restoring Embassy Operations

      Russia and the United States are to resume talks on April 10 in Istanbul on the normalization of their respective diplomatic missions.

    • France24 ☛ Ukraine captures two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in Donetsk, Zelensky says

      Ukraine captured two Chinese nationals fighting with Russian forces in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday. Ukraine summoned the top Chinese diplomat in Kyiv and said the capture throws Beijing's stated neutrality in the war into question.

• Environment

  • Energy/Transportation

    • New York Times ☛ Pilots Discussed Alternate Ways to Land Before Deadly Jeju Air Crash

      The pilots’ conversation with air traffic controllers, revealed in a partial transcript, could offer clues to what caused the disaster in South Korea, which killed 179 people.

  • Wildlife/Nature

    • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysian lorry driver attacked by panther receives over 30 stitches to his head

      He was allowed to be discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for three days.

    • Science Alert ☛ Did Dire Wolves Just Come Back From Extinction? Here's The Truth.

      Sorry to burst your bubble.

• Finance

  • The Straits Times ☛ Asean to send officials to US to discuss tariffs, says Malaysia PM Anwar

    He said Malaysia will lead a regional response by South-east Asia toward US tariffs.

  • The Straits Times ☛ ‘It’s like throwing darts blindfolded’: Tariffs take toll on Chinese exporters

    Chinese companies are scouting for sites outside China’s borders to eke out margins.

  • Latvia ☛ Inflation eased slightly during March in Latvia

    The latest data of the Central Statistical Bureau published April 8 show that in March 2025, compared to March 2024, the average level of consumer prices in Latvia reduced to 3.3 %.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • New York Times ☛ South Korea Sets New Presidential Election for June 3

    Polls show the main opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, is the front-runner to replace Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office for declaring martial law.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea sets snap presidential election for June 3, drawing out contenders

    The law requires a new presidential election within 60 days if the position becomes vacant.

  • Misinformation/Disinformation/Propaganda

    • The Straits Times ☛ Taiwan says China using generative Hey Hi (AI) to ramp up disinformation and ‘divide’ the island

      It said it had detected more than half a million pieces of “controversial messages” in 2025.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • Latvia ☛ Russian independent media continues to find refuge in Latvia

    Lilia Yapparova awoke early in the morning to the sound of her alarm clock ringing on February 24. The Russian missile strikes had started and she was determined to get to Ukraine to report on it.

  • Press Gazette ☛ IPSO decides not to launch Jewish Chronicle standards investigation

    Calls for standards investigation began in 2021 and revived in September 2024 after Elon Perry incident.

  • Press Gazette ☛ Dan Wootton accused of ‘catfishing’ former colleague, court hears

    Wootton's lawyers failed in attempt to reveal identity of claimant.

  • Press Gazette ☛ PR industry alarmed at rise of fake commenters exposed by Press Gazette

    Publishers are reviewing their procedures on the use of journalist-request platforms.

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• KOL458 | Patent and Copyright versus Innovation, Competition, and Property Rights (APEE 2025)

  Kinsella on Liberty Podcast: Episode 458.

• Trademarks

  • TTAB Blog ☛ TTABlog Test: Is UNITED STATES COAST GUARD Merely Descriptive of Employment Counseling and Recruiting Services?

    The USPTO refused to register the word-and-design mark shown below, for "Employment counseling and recruiting; providing career information," absent a disclaimer of the words UNITED STATES COAST GUARD under Section 6(a) of the Trademark Act. Applicant DHS argued that the phrase UNITED STATES COAST GUARD should be considered in the abstract, outside of the context of Applicant's employment and recruiting services, because consumers would "immediately think of the Coast Guard’s well-known law enforcement services." How do you think this appeal came out? In re United States Department of Homeland Security AKA DHS, Serial No. 97824026 (March 31, 2025) [not precedential] (Opinion by Judge Elizabeth K. Brock).