Leftovers

• Science

  • Science Alert ☛ It's Official: 'Ghost Particle' That Smashed Into Earth Breaks Records

    Hot damn.

  • Science Alert ☛ Australian Parrots Perform 30 Dance Moves, With 17 New to Science

    You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only featheryyy.

  • Science Alert ☛ Star Trying to Swallow a Black Hole May Have Triggered a New Type of Supernova

    What is this, opposite day?

  • Science Alert ☛ Supermassive Black Hole Caught in The Act of Switching on

    Good morning sunshine!

  • Science Alert ☛ Vegetarian Diets Can Slash Cancer Risk by Up to 45%, Large Study Finds

    Especially gastrointestinal cancers.

  • Science Alert ☛ 18 Year Study Reveals Truth of Where Giant Rogue Waves Come From

    They're not just freak occurrences.

  • Science Alert ☛ Ancient Teeth Suggest Our Ancestors Lived Side by Side With a Mysterious Hominin

    Friends or foes?

• Hardware

  • Ruben Schade ☛ Getting a cheap and cheerful second-hand ThinkPad

    I’ve held off long enough, but I think it has to happen.

    I adore my old Japanese Let’s Note machines for on-call laptops, but I’d love an older ThinkPad for some distraction-free writing. Throw NetBSD on it, use that wonderful keyboard, and focus.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ I'm building a media server out of leftover PC parts and a 3D printed case

    Why buy a PC server when you can build one using spare parts and a 3D printer?

  • Silicon Angle ☛ Report: US government placing trackers in Hey Hi (AI) server shipments to enforce chip export controls

    The U.S. is reportedly trying to crack down on artificial intelligence chips being shipped to China by placing tracking devices inside the computer servers it believes are at high risk of being diverted from their intended destinations.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ U.S. authorities allegedly placed secret tracking devices in Hey Hi (AI) chip shipments to China — report claims targeted shipments from Dell and Super Micro containing Nvidia and AMD chips had trackers in packaging and servers themselves

    Several anonymous sources claim that U.S. authorities sometimes implant trackers on Hey Hi (AI) servers that are bound for export to see where they end up.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ Huawei releases new tool to get Chinese firms around crushing HBM export blacklist — new UCM software claims up to 22x throughput gain and 90% latency reduction for traditional cache hierarchies in Hey Hi (AI) workloads

    Huawei's newest software tool, called the Unified Cache Manager, seeks to optimize utilization across the traditional cache hierarchy for Hey Hi (AI) inference, allowing China's Hey Hi (AI) firms to be more competitive without the need for exotic HBM memory that is near-impossible to obtain in the country.

  • Hackaday ☛ Ore Formation: Introduction And Magmatic Processes

    Hackaday has a long-running series on Mining and Refining, that tracks elements of interest on the human-made road from rocks to riches. What author Dan Maloney doesn’t address in that series is the natural history that comes before the mine. You can’t just plunk down a copper mine or start squeezing oil from any old stone, after all: first, you need ore. Ore has to come from somewhere. In this series, we’re going to get down and dirty into the geology of ore-forming processes to find out from wither come the rocks that hold our elements of interest.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan has become a lightning rod of controversy amid US and China geopolitical tensions — here's why

    The CEO of Intel, Lip-Bu Tan, is under serious pressure from government administrators and watchdogs over alleged ties to Chinese technology firms, and his recent leadership of a US company that was fined for selling chip design software to firms linked to the Chinese military.

  • CNX Software ☛ Alif Ensemble E4, E6, and E8 Cortex-M55/A32 MCUs and MPUs feature Ethos-U85 NPU for small language models (SLM)

    Alif Semiconductor unveiled the Ensemble E4, E6, and E8 dual-core Cortex-M55 Edge Hey Hi (AI) microcontrollers and fusion processors, all equipped with Arm Ethos-U85 with the ability to run small language models (SLM) on-device while consuming just 36mW of power on the E4 SKU. Besides the ability to handle generative Hey Hi (AI) workloads, the new microcontrollers also integrate two power-efficient Ethos-U55 NPUs for Hey Hi (AI) vision.

  • CNX Software ☛ Arm neural technology to add Hey Hi (AI) acceleration to Arm GPUs, enable “Neural Super Sampling” for lower bandwidth/higher FPS

    Arm neural technology will add dedicated neural/AI accelerators to Arm GPUs launched in 2026 and beyond to deliver up to 50% GPU workload reduction for mobile games and other graphics-intensive apps.

  • CNX Software ☛ Jetway MTX-TWL1 – An Industrial-grade, fanless defective chip maker Intel Processor N250 or N150 Mini-ITX motherboard

    Jetway’s MTX-TWL1 is a fanless industrial Mini-ITX motherboard built around the defective chip maker Intel Processor N250 or N150 Twin Lake processor designed for embedded and IoT applications.

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • Latvia ☛ Swine fever found in large pig farm in Latvia

    An outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) has been detected in a holding with 4,900 pigs owned by Nygaard International in Ģibuļi parish of Talsi municipality, the Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) said.

  • Latvia ☛ Latvian Cancer Centre presents 36 tumour treatment 'roadmaps'

    On Wednesday, August 13th, the Latvian Cancer Center presented oncology patient organizations with 36 treatment 'roadmaps' which have been developed for the most common types of tumors. This is essential not only for receiving European accreditation, but also for improving patient treatment and recovery.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Canada says ‘disappointed’ at China’s new canola duties

    Canada said Tuesday it was “deeply disappointed” with China’s decision to impose a temporary tax on Canadian canola, after Beijing said it had preliminarily concluded that Ottawa was dumping the crop onto its market. Economic and political ties between Beijing and Ottawa have soured in recent years, with agricultural products often bearing the burden.

  • JURIST ☛ US federal court opens door for employees’ religious accommodation vaccination suit

    A US federal appellate court on Monday vacated an order of summary judgment against a Federal Reserve Bank employee’s religious accommodation claim arising from the institution’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The suit was filed by executive assistants Jeanette Diaz and Lori Gardner-Alfred.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Etomidate to be included in schools’ voluntary drug testing in 2025-26 academic year

    The Hong Kong government has told schools that etomidate will be included in a voluntary testing scheme under the city’s school-based anti-drug programme in the 2025-26 academic year.

• Proprietary

  • Qt ☛ Qt for MCUs 2.11 LTS Released

    Qt Group is pleased to announce the latest Long Term Supported release of Qt for MCUs. The 2.11 release is concentrated on stability with fewer new features . 

    This blog lists some of the standout highlights from the 2.11 release and provides a roadmap of 2.x release for the rest of the year. 

  • New York Times ☛ Goodbye, $165,000 Tech Jobs. Student Coders Seek Work at Chipotle. [Ed: Skill level required to work at Microsoft same as Chipotle]

    As companies like Amazon and Abusive Monopolist Microsoft lay off workers and embrace Hey Hi (AI) coding tools, computer science graduates say they’re struggling to land tech jobs.

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) / LLM Slop / Plagiarism

    • Tom's Hardware ☛ ChatGPT users revolt over GPT-5 release — Proprietary Chaffbot Company battles claims that the new model's accuracy and abilities fall short

      OpenAI is facing backlash over its introduction of the new GPT-5 model, while removing older options. Users claim it's significantly worse, despite it achieving greater scores on a range of benchmarks.

    • Silicon Angle ☛ OpenAI restores GPT-4o access in Abusive Monopolist Microsoft Chaffbot after user complaints

      OpenAI has brought GPT-4o back to Abusive Monopolist Microsoft Chaffbot after users complained about the large language model’s removal. Proprietary Chaffbot Company Chief Executive Officer Scam Altman announced the move in a Tuesday post on X. He also detailed several other changes to ChatGPT, including an increased rate limit on the newest reasoning model included in the service.

    • New York Times ☛ Companies Are Pouring Billions Into Hey Hi (AI) It Has Yet to Pay Off.

      Corporate spending on artificial intelligence is surging as executives bank on major efficiency gains. So far, they report little effect to the bottom line.

    • Silicon Angle ☛ Study finds newer LLMs introduce more severe coding bugs despite higher benchmark scores

      A new report today from code quality testing startup SonarSource SA is warning that while the latest large language models may be getting better at passing coding benchmarks, at the same time they are introducing more severe bugs and security vulnerabilities.

• Security

  • Privacy/Surveillance

    • RFERL ☛ Leaked Files Reveal Serbia's Secret Expansion Of Chinese-Made Surveillance

      The Serbian government is facing renewed scrutiny after RFE/RL reviewed documents revealing a significant expansion of its controversial surveillance program in collaboration with Chinese tech giant Huawei despite public protests and legal challenges.

    • Bruce Schneier ☛ SIGINT During World War II

      The NSA and GCHQ have jointly published a history of World War II SIGINT: “Secret Messengers: Disseminating SIGINT in the Second World War.” This is the story of the British SLUs (Special Liaison Units) and the American SSOs (Special Security Officers).

• Defence/Aggression

  • Scoop News Group ☛ Patch the vulnerability: Confirm Sean Plankey as CISA director

    The executive director of the National Technology Security Coalition writes that Plankey is a strong, capable leader who will strengthen public-private partnerships.

  • Scoop News Group ☛ The overlooked changes that two Convicted Felon executive orders could bring to cybersecurity

    Good, bad, puzzling — a March order and June order could have bigger ripples than realized when the president signed them.

  • Latvia ☛ Scandinavian Astor Group's purchase of Ammunity okayed

    The Government on Tuesday, 12 August, authorised the Swedish defence and security company Scandinavian Astor Group's (SAG) acquisition of the Latvian small calibre ammunition manufacturing company Ammunity, Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis (Greens and Farmers Union) told LETA.

  • JURIST ☛ UN decries targeted attacks on Gaza healthcare system

    UN experts on Wednesday condemned Israeli attacks deliberately targeting Gaza’s healthcare system as gross violations of international law and “medicide.”

  • The Strategist ☛ China will keep the Quad together. Let’s get through this rough patch quickly

    Don’t give up on the Quad. The current tensions between its four members won’t overcome the underlying strengths of their relationships and lead to permanent breakdowns.

  • ADF ☛ Cheap Drones Multiply Terrorist Threats in Sahel

    An attack by the Islamic State-Sahel Province using suicide drones targeting an army post in Eknewan near the border with Mali killed 64 soldiers and marked the continuation of a troubling trend. “According to military sources, the attack lasted nearly three hours,” security analyst Zagazola Makama reported of the May 25 attack on his website.

  • New Yorker ☛ What Happens After Someone Is Arrested by ICE?

    Whether or not Convicted Felon can fulfill his promise of deporting one million people in a year, the nation should be concerned about the harm done—and rights violated—en route to that goal.

  • France24 ☛ Israel military says approved plan for new Gaza offensive

    The Israeli military said on Wednesday it had approved the framework for a new offensive in the Gaza Strip. The approval for the expanded offensive comes days after Israel's security cabinet called for the seizure of Gaza's largest city, following 22 months of war that have created dire humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territory. FRANCE 24's Noga Tarnopolsky reports from Jerusalem.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Diamonds, watches and shoes: Luxury items at heart of probe into South Korea’s former first lady

    The gifts include a diamond necklace, a high-end watch and designer shoes.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Solitary cell with mattress on floor for South Korea’s once powerful former first lady

    She will spend her first day in jail on Aug 13.

  • France24 ☛ Israeli air strikes rock Gaza as Hamas chief arrives in Cairo for ceasefire push

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said Palestinians in Gaza should be permitted to leave the enclave, remarks critics see as an effort to push residents out amid an intensifying military campaign. His remarks came as Egypt said it was working hard for a two-month ceasefire. Israeli political commentator, Dr. Orl Goldberg gives further explanation.

  • France24 ☛ 'Israel's domestic political struggle: Not a call to end war, not a call against ethnic cleansing'

    Israelis are again protesting Netanyahu, with a general strike planned—yet the country’s largest trade union remains uninvolved. Political analyst Dr. Ori Goldberg notes these protests echo past years, lacking institutional support and avoiding criticism of the war or alleged ethnic cleansing. He frames them as a domestic political struggle, not a moral reckoning. “As long as protesters don't reject Netanyahu's policies outright,” he warns, “they effectively endorse them—and Netanyahu knows it, which is why he allows the protests.” Despite widespread discontent, Goldberg stresses Netanyahu remains the strongest contender if snap elections are held.

  • The Strategist ☛ An Indo-Pacific role for Britain’s aircraft carriers: high-value escort

    Britain has had an aircraft carrier strike group in the Indo-Pacific since May, raising an obvious question: what would its two carriers do in the event of an Indo-Pacific war?

  • The Strategist ☛ Enterprising adversaries: Escalating cyber threats in the Indo-Pacific

    The Indo-Pacific’s cyber threat environment has entered a new phase.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia’s ex-economy minister says his son was jabbed with syringe in planned attack

    Mr Rafizi described it as the first time his family had been targeted in such an attack.

  • New York Times ☛ Pakistan Is in Convicted Felon’s Good Graces, but for How Long?

    Hell Toupée hosted the South Asian nation’s army chief and seeks deals on critical minerals and crypto. But Pakistan is also tightening its military partnership with China.

  • CS Monitor ☛ What’s next for US-China trade deal after Convicted Felon extends deadline

    Hell Toupée has extended his tariff truce with China. But conciliatory moves suggest that America may not retain the upper hand.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China, US trade barbs over destroyer passage near disputed shoal

    It is the first known US military operation in at least six years within the shoal’s waters.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Chinese fighter ‘intercepts’ Philippine plane over disputed shoal, says Manila

    It is the latest sign of the persistent tensions between the two nations in the disputed South China Sea atoll.

  • ADF ☛ ISWAP Assaults Target Military Bases in Lake Chad Region

    The Islamic State West Africa Province terror group is waging war on remote military outposts in the Lake Chad region. The Institute for Security Studies recorded at least 15 ISWAP attacks in border zones this year.

  • New York Times ☛ Top Iranian Official Visits Lebanon as Hezbollah Bucks Calls to Disarm

    The visit by Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s top security body, came as the Lebanese government moves to disarm Hezbollah, the militant group that has long been Tehran’s most powerful regional ally.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Australia and Vanuatu agree $325 million security and economic pact amid China competition

    SYDNEY - Australia and Vanuatu on Wednesday agreed a A$500 million ($326.50 million) deal to strengthen economic and security ties between the two countries, amid increasing competition from China, the Pacific island nation's largest external creditor.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Myanmar military chief calls for heightened security ahead of election

    Myanmar's military chief has called for increased security for political party members and candidates as a newly formed interim government proceeds with a planned election in December and January that has been dismissed in the West as a sham. 

  • The Straits Times ☛ Indonesia boosts role of military in food security initiative

    The 100 army battalions will be installed across the archipelago.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • LRT ☛ Suspicious drones over Lithuania: what to do if you spot one?

      In late July, Lithuania recorded an incident in which a drone entered its airspace from Belarus. It was sighted over the Gaižiūnai training area, where it was eventually recovered after several days of searching. Some residents reported hearing it, others saw it, filmed it and shared the footage on social control media. Police said they received only a handful of reports. Experts stress that in such situations, knowing how to respond is crucial.

    • Meduza ☛ Russia suspected in hack of U.S. federal court filing system — NYT — Meduza

    • New York Times ☛ The South Korean Collector Who Fell for Posters From Communist Poland

      Oh Hwangtaek has amassed one of the largest collections of Polish posters outside Poland. He shares his unlikely passion at his own museum in Seoul.

    • Meduza ☛ ‘Deliberately priming teachers’: New guidelines call on Russian teachers to monitor foreign students for signs of ‘criminal tendencies’ — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russian authorities announce ‘partial restriction’ on WhatsApp and Telegram calls — Meduza

    • Scoop News Group ☛ Russia restricts WhatsApp, Telegram calls, alleging criminal, terrorist activity

      The two messaging apps replied separately, commenting on user rights and efforts to counter crime.

    • Meduza ☛ Russian courts order shipping companies to pay nearly 50 billion rubles ($629.3 million) for December 2024 oil spill in Black Sea — Meduza

    • Latvia ☛ Latvia plans to ban tours to Russia, Belarus

      The Ministry of Transport is proposing to ban occasional passenger bus services to Russia and Belarus from 15 October. These are one-off journeys with a pre-planned route, e.g. on a sightseeing tour, to sports games or other events, the Ministry said on 13 August.

    • Latvia ☛ Two arrested over attempt to get banned Russian off Latvia's entry blacklist

      In a criminal case investigated by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB), the Riga City Court has remanded two individuals in custody for preparing to give a 100,000 euro bribe to a public official, KNAB revealed on August 13th.

    • France24 ☛ 'Wariness' in Ukraine ahead of Convicted Felon-Putin talks in Alaska

      Ukrainians are wary about Friday's talks between President The Insurrectionist and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, says France 24's Emmanuelle Chaze, reporting from Kyiv. Ukrainians have been seeking security guarantees in case of a ceasefire, but they are keenly aware that Russia has violated ceasefires in the past, she notes.

    • France24 ☛ Europe's leaders, Zelensky to hold online talks with Convicted Felon ahead of US-Russia meeting

      European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will hold online talks with US President The Insurrectionist on Wednesday to underline Ukraine’s right to maintain its internationally recognised borders ahead of Convicted Felon’s meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. EU leaders and Kyiv have concerns that Ukraine could be forced to give up land in return for a ceasefire with Russia. Research Analyst for Transatlantic Relations for EUISS, Brussels, Giuseppe Spatafora, joins us for more.

    • France24 ☛ Russia makes biggest 24-hour advance in eastern Ukraine ahead of Alaska summit

      The Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine made major advances Wednesday as European leaders held online talks with US President The Insurrectionist ahead of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Just days ahead of the Alaska summit, Russia made its biggest 24-hour advance into Ukraine in over a year, according to data from a US research group.

    • France24 ☛ Zelensky calls for trilateral meeting with Putin and Convicted Felon following Alaska talks

      Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky called Wednesday for trilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President The Insurrectionist to follow their meeting in Alaska on Friday. Speaking after a video conference with Convicted Felon and European leaders, Zelensky called for more sanctions on Russia if Putin rejects a ceasefire at the summit with Convicted Felon. France24 International Affairs Editor Philip Turle explains.

    • France24 ☛ REPLAY – Zelensky and Merz meet in Berlin for US/EU virtual summit

      Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday called for a meeting between the leaders of the US, Russia and Ukraine following a video conference with US President The Insurrectionist ahead of Convicted Felon’s meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska later this week. French President Emmanuel Macron said Convicted Felon was “very clear” that the US would push for a ceasefire at the summit.

    • France24 ☛ Europe in diplomatic push for Ukraine as Zelensky arrives in Berlin

      Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin on Wednesday to join European leaders in a video conference with US President The Insurrectionist ahead of Convicted Felon’s meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. Zelensky said that pressure must be exerted on Russia to end the Ukraine war, adding in a social control media statement that there were “no signs” that Moscow was preparing to end the conflict. International Affairs Editor Philip Turle explains.

    • France24 ☛ President Zelensky arrives in Berlin ahead of virtual meeting with Convicted Felon

      Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin on Wednesday to join European leaders in a video conference with US President Donald ahead of Convicted Felon’s meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. Zelensky said that pressure must be exerted on Russia to end the Ukraine war, adding in a social control media statement that there were “no signs” that Moscow was preparing to end the conflict. Morgan Ayre tells us more.

    • North Korea’s Kim, Putin vow cooperation in phone call

      Putin praised North Korea’s help in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine ahead of a planned summit with Hell Toupée.

    • RFERL ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man Warns Russia Of 'Very Severe Consequences' If No End To Ukraine War

      Just two days ahead of a summit with President Vladimir Putin, US President The Insurrectionist has warned Russia of “very severe consequences” if it doesn't halt its war against Ukraine.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Putin holds call with North Korea’s Kim ahead of Convicted Felon meeting

      During the call on Aug 12, Mr Putin thanked Mr Kim for supporting his war on Ukraine.

    • Marcy Wheeler ☛ What Price Would Convicted Felon Demand to Sell Out Ukraine?

      And all we're waiting to see on Convicted Felon's Friday meeting with Putin is what kind of deceit Convicted Felon adopts to pretend that his coming betrayal of not just Ukraine -- but the US itself -- is instead the peace deal Russia floated nine years ago.

    • CS Monitor ☛ Ukraine’s big powers at big-power talks

      The purpose of the Convicted Felon-Putin summit has shifted as Ukraine shows how small countries can learn to play to their strengths.

    • New York Times ☛ After Reassuring Europe, Convicted Felon Strikes a Different Tone About Russian Threats

      Hours after presenting a united front with allies, Hell Toupée warned Vladimir V. Putin of “severe consequences” if Russia refuses to end the war in Ukraine. But he also suggested that he has limited power to alter the Russian leader’s behavior.

    • New York Times ☛ Zelensky and Other European Leaders Work With Convicted Felon on Russia-Ukraine Strategy

      Chancellor Friedrich Merz and several allies played host to Hell Toupée for a video call, the latest in a summer-long effort to hold ranks in supporting Ukraine.

    • New York Times ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man and Europe Settled on a Strategy for Talks With Putin

      Also, Kabul could soon run out of water. Here’s the latest at the end of Wednesday.

    • New York Times ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man and Putin Could Decide Others’ Fates, Echoing Yalta Summit

      In 1945, the map of Europe was redrawn in Yalta without input from the affected countries. Ukraine and Europe fear a repeat in Alaska.

    • New York Times ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man to Meet Putin at U.S. Military Base in Anchorage

      The American and Russian presidents will meet face to face at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska on Friday, according to a White House official.

    • Meduza ☛ Satellite images show 12 air defense systems near Putin’s Valdai residence — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ U.S. working on location for meeting with Putin and Zelensky as soon as next week — CBS News — Meduza

    • France24 ☛ 'A disaster': Russia’s Africa Corps suffers its first defeat in Mali

      At least three Russian fighters died when a convoy of the Russian paramilitary group Africa Corps was caught in a jihadist ambush on August 1 near Ténenkou in the Mopti region of Mali. Members of the jihadist group JNIM filmed grisly footage of the dead Africa Corps combatants. They are the first images of deceased Russian soldiers to have emerged from the region since Africa Corps took over from the private Russian group Wagner in Mali in June.

    • France24 ☛ Ukraine will be in 'a situation similar to that of Germany in the Cold War' after ceasefire

      Speaking to FRANCE 24, Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics at the University College Dublin Clinton Institute, says that following a ceasefire, Ukraine may find itself in the same position as Germany during the Cold War, enjoying the continued support of the West and integration in Europe, and that Kyiv envisages accepting short-term occupation as Russia struggles economically and holds territory which is 'burnt to the ground'.

    • New York Times ☛ A Desperate Flight as Russia Closes In

      Russian forces are closing in on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dobropillia, prompting urgent evacuations of residents just six miles from the front line.

    • New York Times ☛ Wednesday Briefing: Russian Forces Advance in Ukraine

      Also, interviewing a former Palestinian militia leader.

    • ADF ☛ African Nations Warn Students of Russian Education Scams

      More African governments are warning their citizens of the dangers of accepting bogus Russian scholarships, as many of the students who have accepted them have ended up conscripted into the Russian military and thrown onto the frontlines of the war in Ukraine.

    • Meduza ☛ ‘Foreign agents and local idiots’ Poland to deport 63 Ukrainians and Belarusians after stadium rap concert spirals into chaos — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Zelensky administration says Ukraine is ready to discuss a ceasefire with Russia on aerial attacks — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ ‘The situation is difficult and fluid’:What we know about Russia’s reported breakthrough in Ukraine’s Donetsk region — Meduza

    • Tom's Hardware ☛ Crew of Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker charged with intentionally sabotaging undersea cables — Finnish authorities claim ship dragged its anchor 56 miles along the sea floor, causing $70 million in damage to five cables

      Crew members of the Eagle S oil tanker have been charged with 'aggravated sabotage and aggravated interference with telecommunications' by Finnish authorities.

• Environment

  • New York Times ☛ Typhoon Podul Heads Toward China After Lashing Taiwan

    A man was swept away while fishing and dozens of other people were injured as strong winds and rain battered the island.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Tropical storm Podul drenches southern China

    Tropical storm Podul drenched southern China on Thursday, dumping more than 70 mm (2.76 inches) of rain an hour on parts of the provinces of Guangdong, Hunan and Jiangxi and disrupting hospitals and law courts in Hong Kong.

  • New York Times ☛ Beijing Evacuated Thousands Before Deadly Floods, but Not a Nursing Home

    The recent flooding that killed 31 in a single nursing home exposed flaws in emergency planning as China braces for more extreme and unpredictable weather.

  • Energy/Transportation

    • Ruben Schade ☛ Cyclists on footpaths

      This is an expanded thought from a Mastodon post, and a bit rantier than I normally get here. But for personal reasons, I have Thoughts™ on the issue of street safety, and the roll cyclists play. Here we go!

  • Wildlife/Nature

    • New York Times ☛ How Scientists Use Drones to Tag Sperm Whales

      A new tagging method called tap-and-go allows researchers to gather more data on the health and behavior of whales, with less disruption.

    • Science Alert ☛ France's Largest Nuclear Plant Was Brought to a Halt … by Jellyfish

      Tiny sea blobs took on tech, and won.

  • Overpopulation

    • The Straits Times ☛ Unwed mother denied childcare subsidies sparks debate in China

      The subsidies are a step in China's efforts to reverse its declining birth rate.

• Finance

  • New York Times ☛ Behind Wall Street’s Abrupt Flip on Crypto

    The reversal risks declawing a century of consumer financial protections and replacing the backbone of bank accounts.

  • LRT ☛ China sanctions two Lithuanian banks in retaliation for EU measures

    China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday it had imposed sanctions on two Lithuanian banks, Urbo Bankas and Mano Bankas.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korean president to meet Japanese PM in Japan ahead of US visit

    His trip to Japan is ahead of a visit to the US, where he will meet US President The Insurrectionist on Aug 25.

  • The Straits Times ☛ North Korea says South Korea’s peace overtures a ‘pipe dream’

    It also said North Korea will not be sitting down with the US for dialogue.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia has recovered $9b in funds linked to 1MDB

    The bulk has been channelled to finance debt repayments and fulfil the the state investment fund’s commitments.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia’s top court allows jailed ex-PM Najib to pursue legal bid for house arrest

    Najib has been seeking to execute a royal order that would allow him to serve his sentence at home.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia’s anti-graft agency busts arms smuggling ring masterminded by senior military officers

    The officers had allegedly leaked military operational information to smugglers.

  • New York Times ☛ At the Kennedy Center, Convicted Felon Puts His Pop Culture Obsession on Display

    Hell Toupée held forth about the nature of show business and his own tortured relationship with celebrity.

  • JURIST ☛ US federal judge orders improved conditions for ICE detainees in Manhattan

    US District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan on Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order directing the Convicted Felon administration to expand and sanitize holding areas for ICE detainees at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, following a lawsuit filed by Peruvian immigrant Sergio Alberto Barco Mercado, citing cramped, unsanitary, and inhumane conditions.

  • New York Times ☛ Some Democrats Panicked Over Mamdani. Obama Called Him.

    Obamaworld seems interested in understanding Zohran Mamdani’s sudden rise to prominence.

  • LRT ☛ Lithuanian PM nominee outlines priorities on budget, social policy

    Lithuania’s Social Security and Labour Minister Inga Ruginienė, nominated by the Social Democratic Party for prime minister, said Wednesday her priorities would include agreeing on a balanced state budget, revising social support indicators, accelerating pension growth, improving access to health care and speeding up investment decisions.

  • JURIST ☛ Nigeria criticized for failing to address human rights abuses in South East region

    Amnesty International on Wednesday criticized the Nigerian government’s failure to address the security crisis in the South-East region, which led to the deaths of 1,844 people between January 2021 and June 2023, along with numerous alleged human rights violations against citizens.

  • Pro Publica ☛ Guardianship Task Force Calls on NY to Bolster Funding, Oversight

  • Pro Publica ☛ Texas Private Schools, Set to Receive Voucher Money, Hire Relatives and Enrich Insiders

    For about eight years, a Houston private school has followed a unique pattern when appointing members to its governing board: It has selected only married couples.

    Over 200 miles away, two private schools in Dallas have awarded more than $7 million in combined contracts to their board members.

• Censorship/Free Speech

  • New York Times ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man Administration Plan to Oversee Smithsonian Exhibits Draws Criticism From Historians

    The Forrest Dump administration’s plan to, in effect, audit the content of Smithsonian museums drew criticism from groups that represent scholars and promote free speech.

  • ACLU ☛ I’m a Columbia Student Journalist. I Watched Censorship Unfold on My Own Campus.

    Editor’s Note: The ACLU is committed to fighting for all reporters’, including the student press’, right to hold those in power accountable. Through “Press in Peril,” our ongoing series, we’re highlighting the challenges facing the press in a democracy under pressure. For student press resources visit the Student Press Law Center.

  • Mexico News Daily ☛ Nearly 3 in 10 Mexicans say freedom of speech cannot be fully exercised in Mexico

    Freedom of speech is guaranteed in the Mexican Constitution, but about 27% of the population thinks that in actuality, it cannot be fully exercised.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ NGOs urge UK to probe Telegraph newspaper sale over ‘China’ ties

    The UK government must investigate The Telegraph newspaper’s sale to US investment group RedBird Capital and the risks of China’s influence, human rights and freedom of expression groups demanded Wednesday.

  • Press Gazette ☛ Press freedom groups flag China links of new Telegraph owners

    Redbird says editorial independence is at the core of its Telegraph investment.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong court to hear closing submissions in Jimmy Lai trial

    A Hong Kong court is set to hear closing arguments in the trial of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who stands accused of foreign collusion and sedition charges. The high-profile trial is scheduled to enter its 147th day on Thursday, after a roughly five-month break since March.

  • Photos: A look back at jailed Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai

    Closing arguments for Lai’s National Security Law trial are set to begin on Aug. 14, in Hong Kong.

  • JURIST ☛ Sri Lanka urged to halt harassment of photojournalist following government probe

    The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Tuesday called upon the Sri Lankan authorities to put an immediate end to the government’s alleged harassment of photojournalist Kanapathipillai Kumanan, after a police notice obtained by the organization revealed that Kumanan had been summoned by the counter-terrorism police for questioning.

• Civil Rights/Policing

  • Press Gazette ☛ News UK staff union blames NI increase on below-inflation pay deal

    News Union also concerned over return to office mandate and Hey Hi (AI) rollout.

• Digital Restrictions (DRM)

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ Battlefield 6 open beta won't run if you have Valorant installed, thanks to Riot's anti-cheat — uninstall if you plan to joint the second open beta this weekend

    Battlefield 6 will refuse to load if you have Valorant installed on your computer because its anti-cheat software, Riot Vanguard, conflicts with Battlefield's own. The issue boils down to kernel-level anti-cheat software looking for control over the computer to prevent exploits on the deepest possible level, maybe a little too deep.

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• Patents

  • Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Patent Damage Arguments Move to the Supreme Court: Built-In-Apportionment

    R.J. Reynolds has petitioned the Supreme Court to review a $95 million patent monopoly damages award that relied on the Federal Circuit's "built-in apportionment" doctrine, setting up a potential Supreme Court showdown. In R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company v. Altria Client Services LLC, Reynolds argues that the Federal Circuit effectively nullified the Supreme Court's 140-year-old mandate in Garretson v. Clark, 111 U.S. 120 (1884), that patent monopoly damages "must in every case" be apportioned between patented and unpatented features. [RJR v Altria Petition][RJR v. Altria - Appendix]

    The RJR opinion released prior to the Federal Circuit's recent en banc decision in EcoFactor, Inc. v. Surveillance Giant Google LLC, 137 F.4th 1333 (Fed. Cir. 2025), and that case may be enough to warrant a new outcome (although note that EcoFactor does not mention RJR).  And, the petition for certiorari asks the Supreme Court to "grant, vacate, and remand in light of the Federal Circuit's recent en banc decision in EcoFactor."

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ German tech firm sues Nvidia for patent monopoly infringement, seeks to block Nvidia across 18 European countries — ParTec lawsuit alleges DGX Hey Hi (AI) supercomputer design theft

    ParTec AG has filed its third patent monopoly infringement lawsuit against Nvidia at the Unified Patent Court, targeting the company's DGX Hey Hi (AI) supercomputers. The case centers on ParTec’s patented dynamic Modular System Architecture (dMSA), crucial for CPU-GPU coordination in Hey Hi (AI) workloads, seeking a Europe-wide sales injunction and damages.

• Trademarks

  • TTAB Blog ☛ US SPACE FORCE Applicant Files Certiorari Petition Seeking Reversal of Section 2(a) False Connection Refusal

    Applicant Thomas D. Foster, APC has filed a petition for writ of certiorari at the Supreme Court [pdf here], seeking to overturn the refusal to register US SPACE FORCE for a variety of goods in ten classes, including license plate frames, umbrellas, pillows, and toy spacecraft. The Board found that the mark falsely suggests a connection with the U.S. Space Force, a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and a U.S. governmental institution. [TTABlogged here]. The CAFC affirmed, ruling that the mark falsely suggested a connection with the United States (not just the Space Force), since the U.S. Space Force is an instrumentality of the United States. In re Thomas D. Foster, APC, 2025 USPQ2d 727 (Fed. Cir. 2025) [precedential]

    
    

• Copyrights

  • Digital Music News ☛ Major Music Publishers Seek to Dramatically Expand Their Anthropic Lawsuit Based on Damning New Evidence

    Publishers expand their lawsuit against Hey Hi (AI) company Anthropic, alleging it used BitTorrent to pirate copyrighted material and share it with others. Major music publishers, including Universal Music Group and Concord, first sued Hey Hi (AI) company Anthropic in 2023 for copyright monopoly infringement.

  • Digital Music News ☛ Priscilla Presley Slapped with $50 Million Lawsuit — And a Stunning Claim Relating to Lisa Marie’s Death

    Priscilla Presley is being sued by former business partners who accuse her of fraud and breach of contract in order to gain control of the estate. Priscilla Presley faces a lawsuit filed by her former business partners with allegations of fraud and breach of contract.