Leftovers

• Medium ☛ Simon Quigley: Trains and Cats: The Trolley Problem

  “Do not forget about the Trolley Problem,” a middle school teacher once told us. “You’ll look back on this moment and be glad you studied this specific dilemma early.”

  In hindsight, she was right. In fact, I had no idea I would need to use that knowledge until I was directly in the middle of the situation.

  Imagine this: you’re standing by a railroad track. There’s a lever in front of that railroad track, next to a button. The button sends an affirmative signal to a waiting train, so it can proceed. The lever allows the operators to switch between the primary track, and a secondary track, just in case.

• Hackaday ☛ Testing Brick Layers In OrcaSlicer With Staggered Perimeters

  The idea of staggered (or brick) layers in FDM prints has become very popular the past few years, with now nightly builds of OrcaSlicer featuring the ‘Stagger Perimeters’ option to automate the process, as demonstrated by [Stefan] in a recent CNC Kitchen video. See the relevant OrcaSlicer GitHub thread for the exact details, and to obtain a build with this feature. After installing, slice the model as normal, after enabling this new parameter in the ‘Strength’ tab.

• Science

  • The Straits Times ☛ S’pore’s billion-dollar biotech firm: Life sciences scholar leads start-up to list in HK

    Home-grown start-up Mirxes is going places, but co-founder is firmly rooted in Singapore.

  • Hackaday ☛ Adaptive Optics Take Clearest Pictures Of The Sun Yet

    It’s sometimes easy to forget that the light in the sky is an actual star. With how reliable it is and how busy we tend to be as humans, we can take that incredible fact and stow it away and largely go on with our lives unaffected. But our star is the thing that gives everything on the planet life and energy and is important to understand. Humans don’t have a full understanding of it either; there are several unsolved mysteries in physics which revolve around the sun, the most famous of which is the coronal heating problem. To help further our understanding a number of scientific instruments have been devised to probe deeper into it, and this adaptive optics system just captures some of the most impressive images of it yet.

  • Science Alert ☛ South Africa Is Rising Up Out of The Ocean, Scientists Reveal

    A new theory emerges.

  • Medium ☛ Simon Quigley: Learn Math Effectively

    “What if there was a way to learn critical thinking and logical reasoning skills that are actually applicable in real life?” Well, there is.

    Many people are required to learn mathematics in school. For some, it’s an arduous task requiring days to wrap their head around, and for others, it’s as simple as finding the time to practice and do math. (I would highly recommend Atomic Habits by James Clear.)

    A common misconception exists that “you’ll never need to use math in real life.” My question to the people spreading that misconception would be, “what part of math?” People are commonly taught Algebra, working up to subjects like Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus.

  • Science Alert ☛ An Extreme Drop in Oxygen Will Eventually Suffocate Most Life on Earth

    The end of the road.

  • Science Alert ☛ Scientists Create Biodegradable Plastic Alternative That's Literally Alive

    There are many potential uses.

  • Science Alert ☛ Haunting Image Shows The Moon Deimos From The Surface of Mars

    Nothing but the robots and the wind.

  • Science Alert ☛ Dramatic Collapse of Swiss Glacier a Chilling Warning, Experts Say

    Here's what we know.

  • Science Alert ☛ Here's How to Detect a Fake Smile, According to Science

    Your brain knows the difference.

• Hardware

  • Hackaday ☛ It’s MIDI For The TRS-80!

    The Radio Shack TRS-80 was a much-loved machine across America. However, one thing it lacked was MIDI. That’s not so strange given the era it was released in, of course. Nevertheless, [Michael Wessel] has seen fit to correct this by creating the MIDI/80—a soundcard and MIDI interface for this old-school beast.

  • Hackaday ☛ Plenty Of LEDs And Useful Too: The 2025 DORS/CLUC Badge

    It’s always nice to see new developments in the world of electronic badges, and while there are events and badge teams pushing the technological envelope there’s still plenty of scope for innovation without too many exotic parts. This year’s DORS/CLUC open source conference in Croatia has just such a badge, with a large alphanumeric LED display as well as USB and an NFC reader. During the conference it displayed the user’s name and could be used in an NFC-based game, but it’s also designed to be used as a general purpose notification device afterwards.

  • Hackaday ☛ 2025 Pet Hacks Contest: Weigh Your Dog The Easy Way

    If you need to weigh your pet, you’ll soon find that getting an animal to stand on a weighing machine to order is very difficult indeed. If the critter in question is a cat or a small dog you can weigh yourself both holding them and not holding them, and compute the difference. But in the case of a full size Bernese mountain dog, the hound is simply too big for that. Lateral thinking is required, and that’s how [Saren Tasciyan] came up with the idea of making a dog bed that’s also a weighing machine. When the mutt settles down, the weight can be read with ease. The bed itself is a relatively straightforward wooden frame, with load cells placed above rubber feet. The load cells in turn talk to an ESP8266 which has an LCD display to deliver the verdict. Dog weighed, without the drama.

• Proprietary

  • Social Control Media

    • University of Michigan ☛ DPSS investigates vandalization of Upjohn Peony Garden at Nichols Arboretum [Ed: Wait, Mark Zuckerberg is his boss now?]

      This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. The W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden at the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum was vandalized Saturday night, according to a statement posted on Instagram and Facebook (Farcebook) by MBGNA director Tony Kolenic.

    • New York Times ☛ Supreme Court Candidates Try Fentanylware (TikTok) and Tinder in Mexico’s Elections

      For the first time, Mexico will elect judges nationwide, from the highest to the lowest courts. Campaign restrictions pushed many candidates to campaign on social control media, sometimes in divisive ways.

    • Science Alert ☛ Doctors Deliver Verdict on TikTok's 'Mouth Taping' Trend

      The evidence speaks for itself.

• Defence/Aggression

  • New York Times ☛ More Than 20 Killed Near Aid Distribution Site in Gaza, Health Officials Say

    The Palestinians were shot and scores wounded as huge crowds assembled to try and get food from a new aid distribution center. An Israeli military official said soldiers fired warning shots.

  • France24 ☛ At least 31 Palestinians killed at Gaza aid hub after attacks

    At least 31 Palestinians have been killed and scores more wounded while heading to an Israeli-controlled aid distribution point, Gaza's health ministry said Sunday, after witnesses reported seeing Israeli soldiers open fire on the crowd.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Seoul subway arson caused more than $280,000 in damage: South Korean authorities

    The fire destroyed a part of one subway car, and smoke caused damage to two others.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Philippine defence chief rips China officials in testy exchange over disputed waters

    Mr Gilberto Teodoro accused leaders in Beijing of grabbing territory in disputed waters.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • LRT ☛ Military-themed summer camps surge in popularity in Lithuania

      With summer vacation still a month away, parents in Kaunas are already racing to secure spots in day camps for their children – especially those offering structure, discipline, and even military-style programming.

    • New York Times ☛ Train Derails in Western Russia After Bridge Collapse, Killing at Least 7

      Hours later came a report of another bridge collapse, also in western Russia, involving a freight train.

    • The Straits Times ☛ North Korea criticises ‘hostile’ monitoring group’s report on Russia ties

      Pyongyang says its military cooperation with Moscow is legitimate.

    • RFERL ☛ Officials Investigating 2 Separate Train Crashes In Western Russia; 8 Killed

      A road bridge collapsed onto a railway in western Russia, derailing a passenger train and killing at least eight people, investigative and railway officials said. Initial reports blamed an explosion.

    • Meduza ☛ At least seven dead after explosions cause two bridges to collapse in Russian regions bordering Ukraine, authorities say — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Drones strike Siberia for first time in what Ukrainian media say is an SBU operation targeting Russian military aircraft — Meduza

    • New York Times ☛ Ukraine Drone Strike Targets Russian Air Bases in Large-Scale Attack

      Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Sunday that Ukrainian drones attacked airfields in five regions and that several aircraft had caught fire.

    • CS Monitor ☛ Ukraine destroys 40 aircraft deep inside Russia ahead of peace talks in Istanbul

      A Ukrainian drone attack has destroyed more than 40 Russian planes deep in Russia’s territory, Ukraine’s Security Service said on Sunday, while Moscow pounded Ukraine with missiles and drones just hours before a new round of direct peace talks in Istanbul.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Russia’s war in Ukraine brings weapons bonanza for North Korea

      Pyongyang has been rewarded for supplying Moscow with manpower, artillery and drones.

    • RFERL ☛ Ukraine Says Drones Smuggled Into Russia Wiped Out Dozens Of Long-Range Bombers

      Ukraine says it hit dozens of long-range bomber aircraft across Russia with drones that were smuggled in wooden shipping crates carried on truck beds into the country and then launched from nearby locations.

    • France24 ☛ Ukraine strikes Russian bombers, over 40 Russian military planes destroyed

      A Ukrainian drone attack has destroyed more than 40 Russian planes deep in Russia’s territory, a Ukrainian security official told The Associated Press on Sunday, while Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles and drones a day before the two sides meet for a new round of direct talks in Istanbul. Emmanuelle Chaze is live from Kyiv.

    • France24 ☛ Ukraine is conducting an operation against military aviation in Russia

      A Ukrainian security official told The Associated Press on Sunday that a drone attack deep inside Russian territory destroyed over 40 Russian aircraft. Meanwhile, Russia continued its missile and drone strikes on Ukraine, just one day before the two countries are scheduled to hold a new round of direct talks in Istanbul.

    • France24 ☛ A Ukrainian drone attack has destroyed more than 40 Russian planes

      A Ukrainian drone attack has destroyed more than 40 Russian planes deep in Russia’s territory, a Ukrainian security official told The Associated Press on Sunday, while Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles and drones a day before the two sides meet for a new round of direct talks in Istanbul. Douglas Herbert, France24 International Affairs Commentator, Doug analyses the situation.

    • NYPost ☛ Rubio doubles down on Convicted Felon’s call for peace after Ukraine wipes out Russia’s doomsday nuclear bombers

      The message came after Ukraine’s forces wiped out and damaged 41 of the Kremlin’s nuclear bombers and aircraft, attacking at least four air bases across Russia in a massive operation.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Dispatch from Kyiv: Ukraine’s daring drone attack gives Convicted Felon leverage against Putin

      Ukraine’s June 1 drone strikes against five bases across Russia underscored its ingenuity and may help shape the negotiations to come.

    • RFERL ☛ Ukraine, Russia Set For Istanbul Talks Even As Deadly Air Strikes Intensify Back Home

      Delegations from Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to meet on June 2 in Istanbul for the next round of peace talks, even as air assaults are ramped up in the military struggle back at home.

• Environment

  • The Straits Times ☛ China’s Yunnan province hit with floods, mudslides after intense rain

    No casualties were reported, but more than 4,800 residents in one county were affected.

  • Energy/Transportation

    • The Straits Times ☛ Consumers, manufacturers key to enforcing EV battery recycling in Malaysia: Environmental groups

      They call on manufacturers to take responsibility for disposing or recycling used batteries.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Search continues for victims of Indonesia quarry collapse; death toll at 19

      An official said the site of the collapse is dangerous and "does not meet safety standards for workers".

• Finance

  • France24 ☛ China 'firmly rejects' US claims it violated Geneva tariffs deal

    China on Monday “firmly rejected” US claims it breached a tariffs deal, as tensions between the world’s top economies flared. The dispute comes weeks after Beijing and Washington agreed to a 90-day reduction in tariffs following high-level talks in Geneva aimed at easing trade frictions.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China ‘firmly rejects’ US claim that it violated tariff deal

    US Hell Toupée said last week that Beijing had “totally violated” the deal, without providing details.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ New director of Beijing’s top organ in Hong Kong visits neighbourhoods on third day of office

    Zhou Ji, the new director of Beijing’s top organ in Hong Kong, visited Sham Shui Po and Tsing Yi on his third day in office, saying his new appointment reflected the “deep trust” placed in him by China’s president Pooh-tin Jinping.

  • The Straits Times ☛ As polls near, South Korean voters remain unconvinced about front runner Lee Jae-myung

    Latest polls show that his lead over the ruling party’s Kim Moon-soo has narrowed.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korean presidential candidates make final push in Daegu, Seoul, and Dongtan

    According to a recent opinion poll, Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party is leading the polls.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Will anger over martial law debacle push Lee Jae-myung into S. Korea’s presidential Blue House?

    South Koreans will pick a new leader on June 3, after ex-president Yoon's actions led to months of political chaos.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Wave of anger could sweep liberals to victory in South Korea election

    Former president Yoon's martial law call continues to weigh heavily on conservative chances.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea’s election frontrunner Lee Jae-myung still leaves many unconvinced

    That’s an indication some voters aren’t really buying Lee’s attempts to shift toward the political centre.

  • JURIST ☛ Italy government security bill sparks protests in Rome

    A bill being passed through the Italian legislature by Giorgia Meloni’s government resulted in protests on Saturday in Rome. The bill is being criticized for its alleged reduction of human right protections in the criminal justice system. The law strengthens protections for police accused of violence and doles out harsher punishment for protesters.

  • JURIST ☛ Federal Judge halts Convicted Felon administration attempt to deport 5,000 Venezuelans

    A federal judge on Friday prevented the Convicted Felon administration from revoking temporary protected status for 5,000 Venezuelans – halting the invalidation of work permits and other residency documents.

  • Misinformation/Disinformation/Propaganda

    • The Straits Times ☛ Doubts surface over authenticity of China paraglider’s thundercloud flight video

      AI used to fake some footage, according to digital security firm.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • JURIST ☛ El Salvador urged to repeal ‘Foreign Agents’ law, citing threat to press freedom

    The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged El Salvador on Friday to repeal its newly enacted “foreign agents” law, calling it a direct threat to press freedom and civil society.

• Civil Rights/Policing

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea to limit number of times day care centres need to respond to needless parent complaints

    A parent or legal guardian can issue a complaint about disciplinary action against a child within 14 days.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Japan prisons to place more focus on rehabilitation than punishment

    It is the first time changes have been made to forms of punishment under Japan's century-old laws.

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• Trademarks

  • New York Times ☛ Oreo Maker Mondelez Sues Aldi Over Look-Alike Product Packaging

    Mondelez International, a corporate giant behind the name-brand versions of many snacks, contends that Aldi is mimicking its packaging to dupe customers.