Leftovers

• Hardware

  • New York Times ☛ U.S. Pauses Exports of Airplane and Semiconductor Technology to China

    Hell Toupée has stopped some critical products and technologies made only in the United States from flowing to China, flexing the government’s power over global supply chains.

  • Hackaday ☛ Invisible PC Doubles As Heated Seat

    Some people really want a minimalist setup for their computing. In spite of his potentially worrisome housing situation, this was a priority for the man behind [Basically Homeless]: clean lines on the desk. Where does the PC go? You could get an all-in-one, sure, but those use laptop hardware and he wanted the good stuff. So he decided to hide the PC in the one place no one would ever think to look: inside his chair.  (Youtube video, embedded below.)

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • University of Michigan ☛ UMich child care centers struggle to meet demand as waitlist tops 1,000

    University of Michigan-affiliated child care remains in high demand, with more than a thousand children currently on the waitlist for the three U-M Children’s Centers: the Health System Children’s Center, the North Campus Children’s Center and the Towsley Children’s House. This problem reflects broader statewide concerns.

  • Stanford University ☛ A guide to navigating mental health resources at Stanford

    The Daily compiled a list of all of mental health resources at Stanford, including information on their functions, cost and whether they are confidential or require a referral.

  • Stanford University ☛ In the wake of tragedy, Stanford expanded mental health services. Some say it’s not enough.

    Following four student deaths three years ago, Stanford attempted to supplement student and faculty mental health support through new programs. One student’s parents question the depth and impact of these reforms.

  • Federal News Network ☛ GAO raises concerns about behavioral health services for veterans from community providers

    "We found a significant portion of medical information was missing from some of the referrals that we reviewed from the VA," said Sharon Silas.

  • Latvia ☛ Rīga's Eastern Hospital opens renovated intensive care unit

    On Tuesday, 28 May, the renovated premises of the 10th building of Riga East University Hospital were opened. It houses an expanded and modernised surgical day hospital and additional intensive care unit premises, Latvian Radio reported.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Residents fear for safety after deadly blast at China chemical plant

    Six people still missing after the massive explosion on May 27.

• Proprietary

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) / LLM Slop / Plagiarism

    • Noel Rappin ☛ What Do I Think I Think About LLMs

      Every time I think the Hey Hi (AI) frenzy has peaked, it peaks again. Writing about coding these days feels like Jimmy Stewart dancing on the edge of a floor that’s rapidly receding under him.

      I had a draft of this that started with five or six capsule stories of interactions with LLMs for coding purposes, some saving incremental time, some being wrong, some even being right.

      Then I realized that I probably shouldn’t be that detailed about work stuff, but more importantly, you likely have all these stories too. You’ve seen useful autocorrect, and you’ve seen the LLM be confidently wrong and you’ve seen them be confidently right.

    • EDRI ☛ EDRi-gram, 28 May 2025

      What has the EDRis network been up to over the past two weeks? Find out the latest digital rights news in our bi-weekly newsletter. In this edition: Reopening the GDPR is a threat to our rights, 6 years of fighting censorship by Meta in Poland, & more!

    • EDRI ☛ Croatia in preparation for Hey Hi (AI) Law: Activists warn of risks to rights and call for safeguards going beyond EU Hey Hi (AI) Act

      EDRi affiliate Politiscope recently hosted an event in Croatia for journalists and activists to discuss human rights impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), raise awareness about Hey Hi (AI) related harms, and to influence future national policy to incorporate safeguards for people’s rights.

• Security

  • Integrity/Availability/Authenticity

    • Security Week ☛ Vietnamese Hackers Distribute Malware via Fake AI-Themed Websites

      Mandiant warns that a Vietnamese hacking group tracked as UNC6032 is distributing malware via fake Hey Hi (AI) video generator websites.

    • Scoop News Group ☛ Mandiant flags fake Hey Hi (AI) video generators laced with malware

      A Vietnam-based group has spread thousands of advertisements, fake websites and social control media posts promising access to popular prompt-to-video Hey Hi (AI) generation tools, delivering infostealers and backdoors instead. 

  • Privacy/Surveillance

    • The Straits Times ☛ South Korean students warned over social control media posts amid Convicted Felon administration crackdown

      South Korean students are the third-largest among international students in the US.

    • New York Times ☛ U.S. Will ‘Aggressively’ Revoke Visas of Chinese Students, Rubio Says

      Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the students who will have their visas canceled include people with ties to the Chinese Communist Party and those studying in “critical fields.”

    • France24 ☛ Why online privacy is vital: Insights from messaging app Signal’s president

      The president of Signal, a secure messaging app, spoke to FRANCE 24 about the urgent need to protect personal data. Meredith Whittaker highlighted how a handful of big tech companies collect vast amounts of information – often with little oversight and frequent misuse. She emphasised the need for structural change to regulate how companies handle user data. Signal is advocating for stronger privacy protections while defending freedom of expression. She spoke to us in Perspective.

• Defence/Aggression

  • The Straits Times ☛ China being provocative, ignoring olive branches, says top Taiwan policymaker

    He repeated Taiwan's offer for talks with China based on equality and respect.

  • New York Times ☛ As Convicted Felon Seeks Iran Deal, Israel Again Raises Possible Strikes on Nuclear Sites

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wary of a diplomatic solution to curbing Iran’s nuclear program, continues to press for military action that would upend Hell Toupée’s push for a negotiated deal.

  • New York Times ☛ Israel Strikes Yemen’s Main Airport Again After Houthi Attacks

    Israel said the bombing of the airport, which was targeted for the second time this month, had destroyed the last plane used by the Iran-backed Houthi militia.

  • JURIST ☛ Rights advocates raise concern over migrants’ rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina amid ‘return hub’ plan

    Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a statement highlighting concerning conditions of migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the UK government proposed that the country serve as a “return hub.”

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • Meduza ☛ Russian teen fatally stabs four friends at birthday party in small Siberian town, then dies in fire — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Behind closed blast doors Danish and German journalists uncover detailed blueprints offering an unprecedented look inside Russia’s nuclear weapons silos — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Former Russian university president sentenced to 22 years for 1999 murder plot — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Three far-right activists arrested for kidnapping and torturing teenager in Russian forest — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russia is moving to connect Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to its own power grid — NYT — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russia says it downed dozens of Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow and other cities overnight — Meduza

    • LRT ☛ Belarus to scale back Zapad 2025 military drills, shift away from western border

      Belarus will scale back its joint military drills with Russia this autumn and move the main exercises deeper into its territory and further from its western neighbours, according to Belarusian Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Viktor Khrenin.

    • RFERL ☛ Georgia's Ivanishvili Refuses To Meet US Ambassador Bearing Convicted Felon Message

      Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Russia-friendly billionaire considered Georgia's most-powerful political figure, has refused a meeting with the US ambassador in Tbilisi, which the embassy said was requested to deliver a message from the Convicted Felon Administration.

    • The Straits Times ☛ North Korea and Russia's vice ministers discuss cooperation in Pyongyang

      SEOUL - Russia's Vice Minister of Internal Affairs Vitaly Shulika and Ri Song Chol, North Korea's vice minister of public security, held a meeting to discuss expanding cooperation and exchange, state media reported on Thursday.

    • New York Times ☛ Stalin’s Image Returns to Moscow’s Subway, Honoring a Brutal History

      The Kremlin has increasingly embraced the Soviet dictator and his legacy, using them to exalt Russian history in a time of war, but he remains a deeply divisive figure in Russia.

    • New York Times ☛ Merz Says Germany Will Step Up Ukraine Weapons Support as Zelensky Visits

      In the latest sign of a warming relationship, President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Berlin with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said Germany would increase funding for arms production and supplies.

    • New York Times ☛ Judge Blocks Shutdown of Biden-Era Migrant Entry Programs

      The sweeping order applied to hundreds of thousands of people legally in the country through programs put in place for Ukrainians, Afghans and others.

    • CS Monitor ☛ Ukraine shows off its reconstruction in Venice – with Hey Hi (AI) aid

      Even amid war, Ukrainians are rebuilding their homes. To architects, that reconstruction is a form of resistance against the Russian invasion, too.

    • RFERL ☛ EU Mulls Black Sea Security Hub To Counter Russian Threats

      The European Union hopes to set up a "Black sea maritime security hub" to counter Russia’s action in the region and to protect critical maritime infrastructure.

    • RFERL ☛ Ukraine Demands Russia Present Peace Plan Immediately Instead Of Waiting For Talks Next Week

      Ukrainian officials on May 28 said Russia should put forth its peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine immediately instead of waiting for a new round of talks next week in Istanbul.

    • RFERL ☛ Zelenskyy Says Global Powers Must Put More Pressure On Russia After Meeting Merz In Berlin

      Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for increased international pressure on Russia after a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin and announcing that Ukraine and Germany will jointly produce long-range weapons to boost Ukraine's ability to fight.

    • LRT ☛ Over €1m in EU aid for Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania went to non-Ukrainians

      More than €1 million in European Union funds intended to support Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania was mistakenly distributed to citizens of other countries, including Russia and Belarus, prompting a government audit and a leadership change at the agency overseeing the project.

    • LRT ☛ Zelensky to join summit in Vilnius next week

      Ukrainian President Volodymy Zelensky as well as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will attend the Vilnius Summit on Monday, June 2, the presidential office said on Wednesday.

    • France24 ☛ Germany to help Ukraine produce 'long-range' weapons without restrictions

      Vlodymir Zelensky is in Berlin. Ukraine's president held talks with the German Chancellor earlier. Frederich Merz announced Germany would help Ukraine produce long-range weaponry. Zelensky also said Ukraine's defence minister held a phone call with Russia's negotiator following recent talks in Istanbul. He also spoke out about Kiev being invited to the upcoming NATO summit in the Hague. For more, FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor, Angela Diffley.

    • France24 ☛ Germany’s Merz promises to help Ukraine produce long-range missiles

      German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged Wednesday to help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their range and target options as the German leader vowed to keep piling pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

    • France24 ☛ Russia proposes talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2 to present peace memorandum

      Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday said Moscow had drafted its promised peace "memorandum" detailing the Kremlin's terms for ending the Ukraine war and would present it to Kyiv at a new round of direct talks in Istanbul on June 2.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Dispatch from Dayton: What Convicted Felon can learn about ending war

      A recent visit of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to Ohio—thirty years after the Dayton Accords ended the Bosnian War—raised important questions about what lessons can be applied to ending Russia’s war on Ukraine.

    • Latvia ☛ Belgium and Türkiye to join Drone Coalition for Ukraine

      The rotors are running on the "Drone Summit 2025" May 28 in Rīga at the ATTA conference center, a major gathering showcasing the latest in military drone technology and, in particular, the efforts of the 'Drone Alliance' to provide drone technology to Ukraine to aid its defence against Russian aggression.

    • European Commission ☛ New EU strategy for secure, prosperous and resilient Black Sea region

      European Commission Press release Brussels, 28 May 2025 Today the EU is putting forward a new strategy for a stable and secure Black Sea region. This Strategy aims to boost connections and growth, by linking Europe with the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and beyond. Amidst Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the strategy will also reinforce the EU's geopolitical role as a reliable actor in the Black Sea region.

    • Meduza ☛ Trump losing patience with Putin but has yet to decide on sanctions — Politico — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Zelensky calls for three-way talks with Putin and Trump — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ ‘Emotions are running high’ Putin has yet to respond to Trump calling him ‘crazy,’ but Kremlin officials have plenty to say — Meduza

    • New York Times ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man Said He Was ‘Not Happy’ With Putin

      Also, Haiti hired an American military contractor to fight gangs. Here’s the latest at the end of Wednesday.

    • RFERL ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man Says Putin 'Playing With Fire' After 3 Days Of Deadly Russian Attacks On Ukraine

      US President The Insurrectionist again lashed out at his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after Russia capped a three-day bombing spree with its biggest aerial attack of the more than three-year war, which the Kremlin responded to by saying its defending its "national interests."

    • RFERL ☛ Merz, Zelenskyy Accuse Putin Of Stalling On Cease-Fire Efforts

      German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of stalling diplomatic efforts to achieve a cease-fire at a joint news conference in Berlin on May 28.

• Environment

  • The Straits Times ☛ China issues flood warnings after heavy rain in southern regions

    National Meteorological Centre forecasts most intense storms of year so far.

  • Energy/Transportation

    • The Straits Times ☛ Fewer young South Koreans are seeking driving licences

      The decline reflects a shift in perception, according to South Korea's police agency.

  • Wildlife/Nature

    • New York Times ☛ A Fungus Devastated North American Bats. A New Species Could Deliver a Killer Blow.

      Scientists have learned that another species of fungus found in Europe and Asia causes white-nose disease, which has ravaged bat populations in the United States and Canada.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Fruits left for elephants along Malaysian highway put motorists at risk, says patrol volunteer

      Once the elephants start taking food from the roadside, they might get used to it and wait for food.

  • Overpopulation

    • The Straits Times ☛ Has baby bust bottomed out? South Korea sees 7% rebound in births in first quarter of 2025

      From January to March, 65,022 babies were born in South Korea, up from 60,571 a year earlier.

• Finance

  • The Straits Times ☛ Economy Minister and ally resign from Cabinet, leaving Malaysia’s economic reforms in the air

    Rafizi fulfils his quit pledge after losing at party polls, just weeks before the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korean presidential hopeful Kim Moon-soo: Activist turned right-wing maverick

    The People Power Party nominee is putting himself forward as a moderate against liberal front runner Lee Jae-myung.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea's presidential election by the numbers

    SEOUL - South Koreans go to the polls on June 3 to elect the country's 21st president, aiming to restore political stability after months of turmoil and fill a power vacuum following the botched attempt by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol to impose martial law.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Key promises by South Korea's conservative presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo

    South Korea's conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo is seeking to build momentum in his campaign by pledging economic policies focused on deregulation, a tough line on nuclear-armed North Korea and tax breaks for the middle class.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea martial law put Lee Jae-myung back on track for presidency

    Lee leads his conservative opponents by wide margins in most polls ahead of the June 3 snap election.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Early voting begins in South Korea’s presidential polls

    While election day is set for June 3, those who want to vote early can do so on May 29 and 30.

  • South Korean presidential debate mired in top contender’s alleged link to North Korea

    Lee Jae-myung is accused of orchestrating an illicit transfer of funds to North Korea.

  • University of Michigan ☛ Owner of Miss Kim talks Korean American food, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

    The Michigan Daily sat down with Ji Hye Kim, owner of local Korean American restaurant Miss Kim, to discuss her culinary journey and the importance of Asian American food establishments in the Ann Arbor area. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Teacher accused of affair with married man relieved of duties: Malaysia’s Education Minister

    News about the alleged couple went viral after screenshots of their WhatsApp exchanges were posted online.

  • ACLU ☛ The Supreme Court Cases to Watch

    The Supreme Court’s docket this term includes many of the complex issues American society is currently facing, including: immigration, free speech, religious liberty, LGBTQ rights and voting rights.

    The ACLU has served as counsel or filed friend-of-the-court briefs in all of the cases addressing these hot-button issues. In addition to its official docket, the court will also decide cases on its “shadow docket,” or emergency docket, that touch on contentious issues like immigration enforcement and birthright citizenship.

  • Misinformation/Disinformation/Propaganda

    • The Straits Times ☛ Australian museum removes display wrongly labelling Chinese clothing as ‘Korean traditional attire’

      After concerns were raised, the museum acknowledged the mistake and corrected the label.

• Censorship/Free Speech

  • EDRI ☛ Six years in court fighting against arbitrary censorship. What about user empowerment promised by the DSA?

    Regardless of the final court judgment, this case highlights the urgent need for Poland to implement the DSA. Without its enforcement, users of the largest social control media platforms — whether private individuals or CSOs — still stand little chance against the dominance of tech giants.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • New Yorker ☛ Examining Convicted Felon’s War on the Media, and a Warning from Hungary

    A widely condemned media bill being passed through the Hungarian parliament provides a dangerous road map for how Convicted Felon may escalate his attacks on the press in the future.

• Civil Rights/Policing

  • JURIST ☛ US Supreme Court denies Apache request to block copper mine on sacred land

    The Supreme Court denied a petition for certiorari from nonprofit Apache Stronghold on Tuesday, which sought an injunction on a US government land transfer of an Apache holy site to a copper mining company. Chí’chil Biłdagoteel, more commonly known as Oak Flat, is a 6.7 square-mile site east of Superior, Arizona.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ HK gov’t to introduce proposal to boost rights of delivery couriers this year, labour minister says

    The Hong Kong government will introduce a proposal this year to enhance the rights and benefits of digital platform workers, labour and welfare chief Chris Sun has said, following recent strikes by delivery workers.

  • EDRI ☛ Sweden further cracks down on sex workers: What it means for digital rights

    Despite overwhelming opposition from civil society, academic experts, and sex workers, the Swedish Parliament voted to adopt a law that expand the criminalisation of sex work. This will have have a chilling effect nationally and internationally, and affect digital rights.

• Digital Restrictions (DRM)

  • Pen Test Partners ☛ How to load unsigned or fake-signed apps on iOS

    TL;DR Issues commonly arise when clients provide an application which is unsigned or does not meet device requirements.

  • Zimbabwe ☛ Why Vodacom and MTN Want DRM spreader Netflix and WhatsApp to Pay – and Why That’s a Bad Idea

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• Trademarks

  • TTAB Blog ☛ CAFC Affirms TTAB: Mere Consumer Curtin Lacked Statutory Standing to Oppose RAPUNZEL for Dolls

    Although one purpose of the Lanham Act is to protect consumers, whether a particular consumer has statutory standing to oppose or petition to cancel depends on the specific bases under the Lanham Act that he or she invokes. Here, the CAFC affirmed the Board's holding that "only commercial actors affected by the mark’s registration fall within the zone of interests to oppose the registration as generic, descriptive, or [failing to function as a trademark]." (emphasis supplied). The court upheld the Board's dismissal of mere consumer Rebecca Curtin's opposition to registration of the mark RAPUNZEL for dolls and toy figures on the ground of lack of statutory standing. Curtin v. United Trademark Holdings, Inc., Appeal No. 2023–2140 (May 22, 2025) [precedential].

• Copyrights

  • Federal News Network ☛ Judge refuses to temporarily block the Convicted Felon administration from removing Copyright Office director

    The judge ruled that Shira Perlmutter hasn’t met her legal burden to show how removing her from the position would cause her to suffer irreparable harm.

  • Digital Music News ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man Administration Fires Back Against Perlmutter’s Lawsuit and Reinstatement Push, Emphasizing ‘Clear Authority to Remove the Register of Copyrights’

    An intensifying battle for USCO control: The Forrest Dump administration is firing back against the lawsuit filed by axed Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter.   We first covered that lawsuit (including a push for reinstatement) last week, and DMN Pro yesterday took an in-depth look at Perlmutter’s largely procedural action.