Leftovers

• Hardware

  • Low Tech Mag ☛ How to Mount a Balcony Awning

    Hi Kris,

    I’ve been reading your website for quite a while. It’s one of my favourite blogs. Thank you for what you are doing!

    We are currently experiencing a heat wave in Germany, so I drew inspiration from Low-tech Magazine’s article “How to Dress and Undress your Home” and built an awning on my balcony. I documented the process so that other readers can install one themselves.

    The overall cost for my build was around 50 Euros, but you can do it much cheaper by using upcycled materials. It requires only a few tools to build, so almost anyone can reproduce it.

  • Linux Links ☛ Kioxia Exceria Plus G2 Portable SSD 2TB Review

    For this review, I've evaluating the Kioxia Exceria Plus G2 Portable SSD. It's available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities. I'm reviewing the 2TB version.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ Zombie fabs plague China's chipmaking ambitions, failures burning tens of billions of dollars

    China has made progress in advanced chipmaking, but many ambitious fab projects failed due to lack of expertise, poor planning, and U.S. export restrictions — leaving behind numerous costly but unused 'zombie fabs' across the country.

  • Jim Nielsen ☛ Computers Are a Feeling

    the modern internet exerts a tyranny over our imagination. The internet and its commercial power has sculpted the computer-device. It's become the terrain of flat, uniform, common platforms and protocols, not eccentric, local, idiosyncratic ones.

    Before computers were connected together, they were primarily personal. Once connected, they became primarily social. The purpose of the computer shifted to become social over personal.

    The triumph of the internet has also impoverished our sense of computers as a tool for private exploration rather than public expression. The pre-network computer has no utility except as a kind of personal notebook, the post-network computer demotes this to a secondary purpose.

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • New York Times ☛ F.D.A. Posts Collection of Letters Outlining Concerns About New Drugs

    The letters, many of which were already available online, detail why the regulators initially declined to approve some drugs. All eventually passed muster.

  • Latvia ☛ Long waiting times for endoprosthetic treatment in Latvia

    Patients requiring endoprosthetics – such as replacement hip joints – currently face waits of several years for treatment, reports Latvian Radio

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysian anti-graft body investigating suspected $36m baby milk cartel

    MACC is also set to investigate the government department linked to the cartel issue.

  • New York Times ☛ RFK Jr. Cancels Meeting of Key Preventive Health Panel

    The task force recommends which screenings and other preventive health measures must be covered by insurance.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korean restaurant may face charges for adding ants in 12,000 dishes for ‘unique flavour’

    It purportedly added three to five ants per plate for specific dishes.

  • The Straits Times ☛ 3 in 4 South Korean adults don’t exercise enough, data shows

    Data released by the South Korean government found that South Korean men are more active than women.

  • Science Alert ☛ Here's Why Weather Can Trigger Your Migraines, And How to Ease The Pain

    Is a storm brewing in your head?

• Proprietary

  • New York Times ☛ At Least 13 People Died by Suicide Amid U.K. Post Office Scandal, Report Says [Ed: Proprietary software kills]

    A public inquiry into the wrongful prosecutions of about 1,000 postal workers has uncovered more victims than previously known, according to a report.

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) / LLM Slop / Plagiarism

    • CBC ☛ OpenAI to release web browser that could challenge Google Chrome: sources

      The browser is slated to launch in the coming weeks, three of the people said, and aims to use artificial intelligence to fundamentally change how consumers browse the web. It will give OpenAI more direct access to a cornerstone of Google's success: user data.

    • Wired ☛ You Asked, We Answered: All of Your AI Angst

      This week, our host Lauren Goode, along with two of our senior writers, Kate Knibbs and Paresh Dave, dive into the show’s inbox to answer listeners’ questions. We look into a range of queries—from how AI is shaping the film industry to brainstorming what the Jony Ive and Open AI collaboration might look like.

  • Social Control Media

    • New York Times ☛ Who Is the ‘Aura Farming’ Boat Race Kid on TikTok?

      Thanks to his dance moves on the front of a boat, a young Indonesian boy has become an internet sensation, and is now a “tourism ambassador.”

    • Digital Music News ☛ A Separate US-Based Fentanylware (TikTok) Has Been In The Works for Months, Latest defective chip maker Intel Reveals

      New intel suggests the US-based version of Fentanylware (TikTok) that has been in development for months. ByteDance has been working on a U.S.-only ap that will operate on a separate algorithm and data system from TikTok’s global platform. The move is widely seen as a response to mounting political and regulatory pressure in the United States.

• Defence/Aggression

  • New York Times ☛ K-Pop Singer Taeil Sentenced to 3½-Years in Rape of Tourist

    Taeil, a former member of the popular boy band NCT, and two acquaintances were jailed in a case that has provoked anger in South Korea.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Dog barks family to safety in South Korea apartment fire

    The pomeranian called Mongsil was the first to realise there was a fire and barked loudly.

  • Digital Music News ☛ Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk Faces Criminal Charges in South Korea

    South Korean financial authorities are filing criminal charges against Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk for alleged fraudulent trading. According to financial authorities on Wednesday, South Korea’s Capital Market Investigation Review Committee made the decision to file a criminal complaint against Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk.

  • Atlantic Council ☛ South Korea is the ideal anchor for the first island chain

    The assumptions underpinning analysis and discussion of conflict in the Indo-Pacific are due for a rethink. Though many conversations about Chinese military aggression assume South Korea would not get involved, it could play a decisive role in deterring and defeating an attack on Taiwan.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia police helicopter crash-lands into river in Johor, all onboard rescued

    This occurred during the Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand-Singapore Maritime Operation training exercise.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Teenage couple in Malaysia charged with murder of student in university hostel

    No plea was recorded as the cases are under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia PM Anwar says Convicted Felon invited to attend Asean summit in October

    The invitation comes amid sweeping tariffs the US leader slapped on Asean’s member states.

  • New York Times ☛ China Surveys Seabeds Where Naval Rivals May One Day Clash

    Chinese research ships are studying the seas for science and resources, but the data they gather could also be useful in a conflict with Taiwan or the United States.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China’s Wang Yi calls on South-east Asia to back openness amid Convicted Felon tariffs

    He made the remark at a meeting between China and the Asean nations in Kuala Lumpur.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia says China ready to sign S-E Asian nuclear weapons-free treaty

    Asean aims for the world’s nuclear powers to commit to non-use of nuclear weapons in the region.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China foils foreign spy plots including a ‘honey trap’, urges govt workers to stay vigilant

    A government employee was blackmailed after he was “unable to resist the seductive beauty” of a foreign agent.

  • Meduza ☛ ‘Poster children for choosing freedom’: An interview with renowned historian Sheila Fitzpatrick about how Cold War politics helped solve postwar Europe’s refugee crisis — Meduza

  • JURIST ☛ Syria president urged to publish complete investigation on killings of Alawite civilians

    On Wednesday, Amnesty International urged Syria’s president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, to ensure the publication of all the findings of a fact-finding committee’s investigation into the targeted killings of Syria’s Alawite minority.

  • France24 ☛ Replay: France, UK agree on migrant returns plan, nuclear coordination

    French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday announced tougher migration controls and increased cooperation on defence, nuclear deterrence and plans to support Ukraine. The announcements came at a joint press conference on the final day of Macron's state visit to the UK.

  • France24 ☛ Replay: France, UK agree on migrant returns plan, nuclear coordination

    French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday announced tougher migration controls and increased cooperation on defence, nuclear deterrence and plans to support Ukraine. The announcements came at a joint press conference on the final day of Macron's state visit to the UK.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ China says ‘verifying’ case of 2 citizens held for alleged spying in Ukraine

      Beijing said Thursday it was still “verifying” the case of a Chinese father and son detained by Ukraine for allegedly trying to smuggle navy missile technology out of the war-torn country.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Russia accused of escalating chemical weapons attacks against Ukraine

      Ukraine has called for an international investigation into what officials in Kyiv claim is Russia's escalating use of chemical weapons on the battlefield, writes Katherine Spencer.

    • The Strategist ☛ For smuggled drones, China wouldn’t be as soft a target as Russia

      Ukraine did it. Israel did it. Could Taiwan do it? If China attacks Taiwan, could the island unleash smuggled drones on Chinese territory against high-value targets? Maybe, but China has long been aware of the ...

    • European Commission ☛ Joint press release: EU expands support for Ukraine with new financing of almost €600 million for energy, transport and business resilience

      The European Union is stepping up economic support for Ukraine with almost €600 million in fresh financing for energy systems, transport networks and businesses, a package of financing for Ukrainian SMEs, and Ukraine Export Credit Pilot.

    • European Commission ☛ Statement of the Coalition of the Willing meeting by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Ukraine: 10 July 2025

      Today the leaders of member states and international organisations of the Coalition of the Willing gathered in London, Rome and virtually to discuss strengthening support to Ukraine and further pressure on Russia.

    • Meduza ☛ Kremlin retracts reports of Putin sending wreath to ex-transport minister’s memorial service — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ ‘We need to see a roadmap’ As Trump grows frustrated with Putin, U.S. and Russian senior diplomats discuss a ‘new approach’ to Moscow–Kyiv peace talks — Meduza

    • New York Times ☛ Rubio Tells Top Russian Diplomat of Convicted Felon’s Frustration Over Putin’s War

      The U.S. secretary of state met with his Russian counterpart on the sidelines of a gathering of Southeast Asian nations, where he also defended new U.S. tariff threats.

    • New York Times ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man Seems to Be Warming to What Europe Wants for Ukraine: New Russia Sanctions

      Flattery and pressure — coupled with Hell Toupée’s growing dissatisfaction with President Vladimir V. Putin — have helped build momentum for new economic punishments.

    • CS Monitor ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man promised to end all wars. First he must convince Israel and Russia.

      Dihydroxyacetone Man promised to be the president to end all wars. But that pledge depends on convincing Israel and Russia that military force alone will never prevail.

    • CS Monitor ☛ Why Convicted Felon made a U-turn on military aid to Ukraine

      It’s been a roller coaster week for Ukraine, with U.S. military aid first paused, and then reinstated. The shifts follow President The Insurrectionist’s frosty signals to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    • New Yorker ☛ Did The Insurrectionist Really Just Break Up with Vladimir Putin?

      It’s never easy to tell which flip or flop the flip-flopper in the White House means.

    • RFERL ☛ At Least 2 Dead In Kyiv As Major Russian Attack Hits Residential Buildings

      Russian missiles and drones struck Ukrainian cities for a second straight night, killing two people in Kyiv and damaging civilian areas in an attack that lasted nearly 10 hours.

    • LRT ☛ Lithuanian leaders taken to shelter as Belarus-launched aircraft violates airpsace

      A homemade aircraft resembling a small drone crossed into Lithuanian airspace from Belarus and crashed near the border on Thursday, Lithuanian border officials said.

    • LRT ☛ Lithuanian military investigates airspace intrusion by flying object from Belarus

      A flying object that entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus on Thursday crashed on its own shortly after detection, prompting an investigation by the Lithuanian military. Initial assessments suggest the object posed no danger and may have been used as an aerial target during military exercises in Belarus.

    • France24 ☛ Deterrance made in Europe? France, UK offer nuclear shield to Ukraine allies

      Caught between the threat of Vladimir Putin’s Russia and the wavering of The Insurrectionist’s United States, can Europe really rely on its only two nuclear powers to guarantee deterrence from atomic attacks? We’ll review the joint announcement by video link out of Northwood military base in England to leaders in Rome gathered for a so-called "coalition of the willing" summit on Ukraine.

    • Meduza ☛ Russian strike on Kyiv kills two, injures more than 10 — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ All signal, no substance VK’s Max app aims to replace WhatsApp, but the Russian celebrities paid to promote it have found just one selling point: it works — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russia on track to spend 2 percent of GDP on military personnel this year — Re: Russia — Meduza

    • The Straits Times ☛ Rubio has ‘frank’ talks with Russia’s Lavrov in Kuala Lumpur

      It was their second in-person meeting.

    • LRT ☛ Lavrov’s foreword to false Lithuanian history: it's a warning sign, says Swedish analyst

      A newly published book in Russia distorting the history of Lithuania – complete with a foreword by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov – is a warning signal that Moscow is seeking to apply greater pressure on its neighbours, says Carolina Vendil Pallin, an expert with the Swedish Defence Research Agency, in an exclusive interview with LRT.

    • LRT ☛ Colombian man planning attacks in Lithuania also Russian citizen – media

      A Colombian man who was allegedly planning attacks in Lithuania is also a Russian citizen, independent Russian media Agentstvo reported on Wednesday evening.

    • LRT ☛ Lithuanian FM scolds Slovakia’s veto on further Russia sanctions

      Slovakia’s decision to veto the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia is unacceptable and regrettable, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys says.

    • Scoop News Group ☛ French police arrest Russian pro basketball player on behalf of US over ransomware suspicions

      Daniil Kasatkin played briefly for Penn State University. It’s the second European arrest on cyber allegations at the request of the United States to be revealed this week.

    • Meduza ☛ U.S. resumes some weapons deliveries to Ukraine — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Ukrainian Security Service officer reportedly shot dead in Kyiv — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russian court jails trucker suspected of aiding Ukraine’s ‘Operation Spiderweb’ drone strikes — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russia opens criminal case against two journalists for reporting from Kursk region under Ukrainian occupation — Meduza

    • New York Times ☛ Thursday Briefing: Russia’s Record Drone Attack

      Plus, the Bayeux Tapestry’s homecoming.

    • New York Times ☛ As Israel and Ukraine Advance Drone Warfare, U.S. Sees Its Own Vulnerabilities

      Israel and Ukraine have used drones against their adversaries in audacious ways that have helped the Pentagon see the need for new technology.

    • New York Times ☛ Friday Briefing: Israel Says Iran Has Some Uranium Left

      Plus, toads with psychedelic powers.

    • New York Times ☛ Ukrainian Intelligence Officer Is Shot to Death in Kyiv

      The victim’s unit played a key role in Ukraine’s surprise attack inside Russian territory last summer.

    • New York Times ☛ Russia Bombards Ukraine as U.S. Frustration Mounts

      Kyiv was the main target of an hourslong assault that killed at least two people, officials said. The barrage came hours before the top American and Russian diplomats met.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Rubio to meet Russia’s Lavrov in Kuala Lumpur, US official says

      The meeting comes as US Hell Toupée grows increasingly frustrated with Russia as the war in Ukraine drags on.

    • Tom's Hardware ☛ Ukraine to become first European country with Starlink direct to cell service — messaging by year end, with mobile satellite broadband expected mid-2026

      A Ukrainian telecoms company is set to launch Starlink direct-to-cell messaging services before the end of the year. This will be a first for Europe, and will enable customers to message each other, even if the cell network goes down.

    • RFERL ☛ As West Discusses Ukrainian Rebuilding, Moscow Pounds Kyiv

      As Russian drones and missiles rained down again on Ukrainian cities, Western officials and investors gathered in Italy to discuss how to rebuild the embattled country.

    • LRT ☛ Colombia detains man accused of planning attacks on Ukrainian drone shipments in Lithuania

      
      

• Environment

  • New York Times ☛ Southern China and Hong Kong Brace for Floods and Fierce Winds from Danas

    The authorities warned of possible flash flooding as the remnants of Typhoon Danas passed through the region. Hong Kong suspended schools for Friday.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Rivers in south-west China breach warning levels, with thousands evacuated

    One district in the capital Beijing received 68.2mm of rain in a single hour.

  • Energy/Transportation

    • MIT Technology Review ☛ China’s energy dominance in three charts

      China is the dominant force in next-generation energy technologies today. It’s pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into putting renewable sources like wind and solar on its grid, manufacturing millions of electric vehicles, and building out capacity for energy storage, nuclear power, and more.

• Finance

  • The Straits Times ☛ Even 190% tariffs can’t shake US shoemaker’s reliance on China

    Ms Haley Pavone scouted factories in other countries for production but quickly ran into problems.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China moves to crack down on tour operators over ‘forced shopping’ practices

    China is taking action against tour operators that force travellers to shop at designated stores.

  • France24 ☛ From North Korea to Afghanistan: Leading international tourists down the path less travelled

    North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong Un is trying to claim his country's stake in the multibillion-dollar global tourism industry by opening a brand-new beach resort. But not many foreign tourists will be able to take advantage of the new facilities, as the country has mostly been closed to visitors since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Charles Pellegrin speaks to Simon Cockerell, the general manager of Koryo Tours, a company that has been running tours in North Korea since 1993 and more recently in Afghanistan.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China hopes EU will 'make fewer accusations' on market access

    BEIJING - China hopes the European Union would make fewer accusations, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday in a retort to EU criticism that European firms had limited access to the Chinese market.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China says ‘arbitrary’ tariffs serve no one after US announces 50% copper levy

    Copper demand has surged in recent years as the world transitions to cleaner energy.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • The Straits Times ☛ Dr Mahathir at 100: Still haunted by the Malay Dilemma

    Despite Malaysia's huge economic strides during his reign, failing to change and unite Malays still eats at him.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea arrests ex-president Yoon for a second time

    A warrant was issued over concerns that he could destroy evidence in his failed martial law case.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia optimistic of deal to lower US tariffs before deadline

    The South-east Asian country was initially hit with a 24 per cent tariff rate.

• Internet Policy/Net Neutrality

  • Standards/Consortia

    • DomainTools ☛ Why DNS Is Still the Biggest Blind Spot in Threat Intelligence

      The report aims to be a living foundation for annual research, drawing feedback from peers across the DNS threat community to improve methodology, transparency, and collaborative value.

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• Copyrights

  • Digital Music News ☛ Karol G and Tiësto Resoundingly Triumph in ‘Don’t Be Shy’ Copyright Lawsuit

    A federal judge rules the plaintiff’s expert witness is unqualified and tosses a lawsuit accusing Karol G and DJ Tiësto of copyright monopoly infringement. In Miami, a federal judge has thrown out a case accusing Karol G and DJ Tiësto of copyright monopoly infringement in their 2021 hit, “Don’t Be Shy.”

  • New York Times ☛ European Union Unveils Rules for Powerful Hey Hi (AI) Systems

    Makers of the most advanced artificial intelligence systems face obligations for transparency, copyright monopoly protection and public safety. The rules are not enforceable until next year.

  • New York Times ☛ Denmark Aims to Use Copyright Law to Protect People From Deepfakes

    A pioneering bill would give citizens the right to demand that social control media platforms remove digital forgeries of themselves.

  • Digital Music News ☛ DSW Fires Back Against the Majors’ Social Media Infringement Claims: ‘This Case Is About the Labels’ Greed’

    It turns out Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW) isn’t thrilled about being sued for social control media copyright monopoly infringement. Amid a courtroom confrontation with Warner Music, the retail chain’s parent is now seeking a declaratory judgement against Universal Music, Sony Music, and BMG.