Leftovers

• Don Marti ☛ Don Marti: Links for 14 Jun 2025

  icymi:

  I will speak of Thomas Aquinas instead. I will tell you my dim memories of what he said about the hierarchy of laws on this planet, which was flat at the time. The highest law, he said, was divine law, God’s law. Beneath that was natural law, which I suppose would include thunderstorms, and our right to shield our children from poisonous ideas, and so on.

  And the lowest law was human law.

• Science

  • Science Alert ☛ Humans Have Smoked Meat For Almost 2 Million Years, Study Suggests

    A burning question.

  • Science Alert ☛ A Toxicologist Reveals The Surprising Truth About Black Mold

    It's not what you might think.

  • Science Alert ☛ The Universe's Missing Black Holes May Have Been Located

    Have we found them?

  • Science Alert ☛ Deep-Sea Wonderland Found Thriving Where Humans Have Never Been

    You ain't seen nothing yet.

• Hardware

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ Nintendo Switch 2 screen survives being smashed with pliers 50 times — destructive testing finds the Switch 2 to be exceptionally tough

    Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything tore apart the Nintendo Switch 2 to show us its internals and then stress-tested the screen with pliers to see how durable it is.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ ASML's Impasto Project creates 3D digital twins of Vincent van Gogh's art with 100 gigabytes of data per scan — nanometer-capable chipmaking tech used to create ‘Google Maps for paintings’

    ASML and the Van Gogh museum have collaborated on the design of a 3D scanner to capture and create digital twins of the masterpieces of the Netherlands’ most famous artist.

  • Hackaday ☛ Upgrading An Old Espresso Machine

    Recently, [Samuel Leeuwenburg] got his paws on a Francis! Francis! X1 (yes, that’s the name) espresso machine. This is the espresso machine that is mostly famous for having been in a lot of big TV shows in the 1990s. In the early 2000s, the X1 even became a pretty good espresso machine after the manufacturer did some more tinkering with it, including changing the boiler material, upgrading the pump, etc.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ Nvidia CEO slams Anthropic's chief over his claims of Hey Hi (AI) taking half of jobs and being unsafe — ‘Don’t do it in a dark room and tell me it’s safe’

    Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang disagrees with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's prediction that Hey Hi (AI) will wipe out nearly 50% of white-collar jobs.

  • Hackaday ☛ Make Magical-Looking Furniture With Kerf Bend Wizard

    The intersection between “woodworkers” and “programmers” is not a densely populated part of the Venn diagram, but [Michael Schiebler] is there with his Kerf Bend Wizard to help us make wood twist and bend like magic.

  • Hackaday ☛ Laptop Brick Is Brought Back From The Brink

    We’ve all been there. [Kasyan TV] had a universal adapter for a used laptop, and though it worked for a long time, it finally failed. Can it be fixed? Of course, it can, but it is up to you if it is worth it or not. You can find [Kasyan’s] teardown and repair in the video below.

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • The Straits Times ☛ Johor government to beef up anti-littering by-laws

    Among the proposals discussed were updates to the 2024 amendments of the Cleanliness Prevention by-laws.

  • Science Alert ☛ Study Reveals How Much Exercise You Need Each Week to Control Blood Pressure

    You can do this.

  • Science Alert ☛ Ocean Acidity Has Reached Critical Levels, And We're All Under Threat

    "It's a ticking time bomb."

  • Science Alert ☛ One Fitness Accessory Makes You Up to 7 Times More Likely to Stay Active

    "The results were striking."

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ From waste to ‘superfood’: Hong Kong dietitians turn kitchen scrap into healthy protein source for low-income families

    At a communal living space tucked away on the top floor of the Tsuen Wan Market building, a group of women gathered in a spacious, well-equipped kitchen. They tried out a few recipes under the guidance of two registered dietitians and a handful of trained volunteers.

  • Mexico News Daily ☛ The relentless imperialism of Coca Cola and our rights to health

    Beloved, worshipped, reviled: Coca-Cola has a complex history in Mexico. Sarah DeVries cuts through the controversy.

• Security

  • SANS ☛ More Steganography, (Sat, Jun 14th)

    I spotted another interesting file that uses, once again, steganography.

• Defence/Aggression

  • New Yorker ☛ Hell Toupée’s Military Games

    Dihydroxyacetone Man, always attracted to playing the role of the strongman, is even more inclined than he was in his first term to misuse the military for his own political gratification.

  • New York Times ☛ Look at the Ukraine War to Understand Why Israel Struck Iran

    Israel’s imperative to set back Iran’s nuclear program became clearer after two events in 2022 and 2023.

  • New York Times ☛ Israel and Ukraine Show How Drone Smuggling Is Powerful New War Technique

    Launching weapons from within their territory forces adversaries to look not only outward but also inside for threats, one expert said.

  • New York Times ☛ Russia’s Summer Offensive in Ukraine Gains Ground With New Tactics

    Russia is advancing around Kostyantynivka and in the Sumy region with small, fast-moving units as both sides try a new tactic of using motorcycles and civilian cars to quickly cross open terrain.

  • JURIST ☛ Legal proceeding initiated against Russia activist amid LGBTQA+ crackdown

    The Investigative Committee of Yaroslavl Oblast initiated a criminal proceeding on Thursday against LGBTQA+ activist Yaroslav Sirotkin on the charges of participation in an “extremist organization,” according to local media. According to the investigation, Sirotkin posted 14 posts and videos that included “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships” between December 2023 and January 2024.

  • RFERL ☛ Tensions Are Surging Amid Israel-Iran Attacks. So Are Oil Prices

    Global oil prices spiked following Israel’s surprise air strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities.

    As of late June 13, futures for the benchmark Brent blend were up more than 7 percent over the previous day, and up 12.5 percent compared to a week earlier.

    U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude, meanwhile, finished up 7.62 percent—13 percent higher than a week ago.

  • Atlantic Council ☛ By fusing intelligence and special operations, Israel’s strikes on Iran are a lesson in strategic surprise

    Operation Rising Lion offers critical lessons for Western military planners facing similar challenges against peer competitors.

  • Atlantic Council ☛ Israel’s Iran strike provides a historic chance for Middle East realignment

    History will remember this moment less for the Israeli strikes themselves and more for what follows.

  • France24 ☛ Netanyahu says Israel will strike 'every target of the ayatollah regime' in Iran

    In Iran, at least 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded in Israeli strikes, Iran's ambassador to the UN said Friday. On Saturday, Iranian state TV said 60 people, including 20 children, were killed in an Israeli strike on a Tehran housing complex.

  • France24 ☛ Iran threats US, UK and France against helping Israel defend itself

    Emmanuel Macron on Friday defended "Israel's right to defend itself," even praising the "effects" of Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear capabilities, which nevertheless forced him to postpone a crucial UN conference on the Palestinian state. Andrew Hilliar, our international affaits editor, give us his take on the situation.

  • France24 ☛ Iranian media says Israeli strike on Tehran killed 60, including 20 children

    Iranian state TV reported that in Tehran around 60 people, including 20 children, had been killed in an attack on a housing complex, with more strikes reported across the country. Israel said it had attacked more than 150 targets. Saeed Azimi, France 24's correspondent in Tehran, gives more details of the attack.

  • France24 ☛ ‘It's the civilians who will pay the price’: Iranians prepare for the worst after Israeli strikes

    The inhabitants of Tehran have been wavering between fear, resignation and anger after unprecedented Israeli strikes on Iranian soil overnight Thursday into Friday and the ensuing hostilities that followed. The strikes targeted nuclear sites, top commanders of the Iranian regime and residential neighborhoods, killing at least 78 people.

  • France24 ☛ UN conference on Palestinian state postponed amid tensions

    The conference at the UN on the Palestinian state, which was scheduled to take place next week in New York, must be postponed "for logistical and security reasons" but "will be held as soon as possible," Emmanuel Macron said on Friday.

  • France24 ☛ 'Overwhelming condemnation' of Israel's attack at UN Security Council

    Reporting from UN headquarters in New York, FRANCE 24's Jessica Le Masurier says there was "overwhelming condemnation" of Israel's attacks on Iran during an emergency UN Security Council meeting Friday. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the military escalation in the Middle East and said he was particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear facilities.

  • France24 ☛ Iran/Israel: Ambassadors to UN show no signs of backing down

    Iran launched a fresh wave of attacks on Israel early Saturday following Israel's massive strikes on Friday targeting its nuclear strikes. Our guest Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor at the University of Essex and expert on authoritarian regimes, gives us her take.

  • France24 ☛ Two people killed and 19 injured after Iranian missile struck in central Israel

    The Israeli Air Force says it intercepted "a number of unmanned aerial vehicles" (drones) that were launched into the country, following alerts that were activated. Two people were killed and 19 injured when an Iranian missile struck near homes in central Israel early Saturday, said Israel's paramedic service. Another woman was killed in a missile strike in the Tel Aviv area, bringing the total number of fatalities to three.

  • France24 ☛ Dramatic Middle East escalation: Giorgio Cafiero is on France24

    The dramatic Middle East escalation triggered by Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear and military sites has further undercut US President The Insurrectionist's promise to bring an end to the world's hottest conflicts.

  • France24 ☛ 'Hot and heavy night' in Israel as Iran launches retaliatory strikes

    Reporting from Jerusalem Saturday morning, FRANCE 24’s Noga Tarnopolsky says it was a “hot and heavy night” in Israel following “non-stop waves of missiles” launched from Iran. Three civilians were killed so far and around 50 wounded. “In a suburb of Tel Aviv, basically a neighbourhood is gone, nine buildings were destroyed completely by a direct hit from an Iranian missile,” said Tarnopolsky.

  • France24 ☛ 🔴 Live: Iran hit with new strikes after launching missile barrage into Israel

    Explosions were heard throughout Tehran early Sunday after Israel responded to a fresh salvo of Iranian missiles with its own strikes, claiming to have hit Iran's Defence Ministry headquarters. Iran launched fresh strikes on Israel on Saturday evening, killing one woman—two days after Israel launched unprecedented air strikes against military and nuclear sites on Iranian soil. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ China says ‘deeply concerned’ over Israel’s strikes on Iran

    China said Friday it was “deeply concerned” over Israeli strikes on Iran — including nuclear and military sites — condemning “violations” of the country’s sovereignty and offering to help ease tensions. “The Chinese side… is deeply worried about the severe consequences that such actions might bring,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.

  • JURIST ☛ UN envoy warns Yemen in ‘free fall’ and urges action to avoid wider conflict

    UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg warned the Security Council on Thursday that Yemen faces economic “free fall” and escalating conflict risks, demanding urgent humanitarian and diplomatic interventions. Amid the Houthi attacks on Israel and retaliatory strikes by Israel on Yemeni infrastructure, Grundberg stressed that fragile frontlines threaten renewed violence, particularly in Marib.

  • New York Times ☛ Putin condemns Israel’s attack in call with Convicted Felon and offers to mediate.

  • RFERL ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man Speaks With Putin On Middle East, Urges End To 'His War' In Ukraine

    US President The Insurrectionist and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin spoke for nearly an hour by phone on June 14, with discussions centering on the latest armed conflict between Iran and Israel.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • RFERL ☛ Civilians In Israel, Iran Seek Shelter As Both Sides Step Up Relentless Attacks

      Civilians in both Israel and Iran sought cover as waves of air strikes hit major cities late on June 14 and early on June 15, with the latest armed conflict between the archenemies showing no signs of easing despite international calls for peace.

    • RFERL ☛ Nuclear Talks Called Off As Iran Warns of Stronger Response If Israeli Attacks Persist

      Tehran early on June 14 launched fresh missile strikes that hit Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other cities in Israel as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu huddled with senior officials to plan the next steps in a military operation that targeted nuclear and military facilities in arch enemy Iran

    • New York Times ☛ Two Major Energy Facilities in Tehran Hit in Israeli Strikes

      Across Iran’s capital, flames and smoke covered the sky.

    • New York Times ☛ Gazans Worry Israel-Iran Conflict Will Shift World’s Attention From Their Plight

      While Israel and Iran trade attacks, Palestinians in Gaza have been struggling to find food, connect to the internet and survive airstrikes.

    • New York Times ☛ Conference on Palestinian Statehood Postponed Amid Israel-Iran Fighting

      President Emmanuel Macron of France said the exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran had made it impossible.

    • New York Times ☛ Israel Takes Aim at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran

      Israel targeted a major airport in the capital used for both military and civilian purposes, while Iran attacked Israel with waves of ballistic missiles.

    • New York Times ☛ Fox News Hosts Gushed Over the Parade, With No Protests in Sight

      Cable networks covered Hell Toupée’s Army parade on a busy day of protests, a political assassination and Middle East strikes. ABC, CBS and NBC aired other programming on their affiliates.

    • France24 ☛ Ukraine and Russia hold another prisoner exchange

      Ukraine and Russia have conducted another prisoner-of-war (POW) exchange, according to both sides on Saturday, under agreements made in Istanbul earlier this month. Kyiv said Moscow had also returned another batch of 1,200 unidentified bodies, which it said Russia claimed "belong to Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel".

    • LRT ☛ Beatings, shocks, hunger: A Ukrainian officer's 846 days in Russian captivity

      As Russian forces besieged the last bastion of Ukrainian resistance in the devastated city of Mariupol, Ihor Titovskiy prepared his family for the worst, giving them instructions for his funeral in an emotional phone call in May 2022.

• Environment

  • Energy/Transportation

    • The Straits Times ☛ Boeing resumes China deliveries with 787-9 jet to Juneyao Airlines: Report

      China and the US concluded two days of negotiations in London on June 10 to resolve key trade issues.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia fatal bus crash: Report confirms bus brakes were functional

      The tyres were also found to be in satisfactory condition.

  • Overpopulation

    • The Straits Times ☛ Indonesian province dangles cash for men to get vasectomy, in bid to slow population growth

      The West Java governor's vasectomy-for-aid proposal draws backlash from rights and religious groups.

• Finance

  • New York Times ☛ A Dream Wedding for Jeff Bezos in Venice? No Way, Locals Say

    The lavish nuptials, scheduled for this month, have raised the hackles of some residents exasperated by their city becoming a playground for the rich.

  • CS Monitor ☛ Lights, camera, tax credits? Sagging Hollywood draws attention of California, Convicted Felon.

    California’s new state budget doubles tax incentives for the film industry, to help Hollywood as other countries and states lure production away. Hell Toupée is also floating efforts to help.

• Civil Rights/Policing

  • New Yorker ☛ Reëxamining Victimhood in Guatemala

    The photographer Luis Corzo returns to the scene of his own kidnapping.

  • JURIST ☛ US Supreme Court lowers legal barrier for students suing over disability discrimination

    The US Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Thursday that public-school students with disabilities may pursue discrimination lawsuits under the same standard of proof that applies when people sue other institutions for discrimination based on disability claims, sweeping aside a higher legal standard used by some lower courts.

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• Patents

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ Patent reveals Huawei's quad-chiplet rival for Nvidia's Rubin Hey Hi (AI) GPUs could use packaging tech that rivals TSMC — Ascend 910D rumors have seemingly solid foundation

    Huawei has reportedly developed a chip packaging process technology for its Ascend 910D processor that is comparable to TSMC's leading-edge CoWoS technology.

  • Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Federal Circuit Reverses Equitable Estoppel Defense: Reliance Requires More Than Business Pragmatism

    Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. v. Sirius XM Radio Inc., 2023-2267 (Fed. Cir. June 9, 2025)

    In this infringement case, Judge Bataillon (D.Del) sided with the accused infringer on summary judgment -- finding that Fraunhofer's infringement claim was barred by equitable estoppel. The Federal Circuit reversed on appeal - finding genuine disputes of material fact on the key estoppel issue of detrimental reliance. Although equitable estoppel remains an important defense, the case makes clear that it requires more than post-hoc rationalization of business decisions.