Leftovers

• Hackaday ☛ Kids Vs Computers: Chisanbop Remembered

  If you are a certain age, you probably remember the ads and publicity around Chisanbop — the supposed ancient art of Korean finger math. Was it Korean? Sort of. Was it faster than a calculator? Sort of. [Chris Staecker] offers a great look at Chisanbop, not just how to do it, but also how it became such a significant cultural phenomenon. Take a look at the video below. Long, but worth it.

• Science

  • Science Alert ☛ Scientists Just Debunked 'Earth's Oldest Impact Crater'

    And they shrunk it?

  • Science Alert ☛ Could a Paper Plane Thrown From The International Space Station Survive The Flight?

    They did an experiment.

  • Science Alert ☛ 'Chimpfluencers' Are Sticking Grass in Their Ears And Butts in Latest Viral Trend

    Still better than planking.

  • Science Alert ☛ Cheap Daily Supplement Appears to Boost Brain Function in Older People

    The effect can be seen within weeks.

  • Science Alert ☛ Sound of The Big Bang Suggests Our Galaxy Floats Inside a Void

    Was that an echo...?

  • Science Alert ☛ Dying Star's Strangled Jets Solve 50-Year-Old X-Ray Mystery

    Not all deaths are the same.

• Hardware

  • Hackaday ☛ Dithering With Quantization To Smooth Things Over

    It should probably come as no surprise to anyone that the images which we look at every day – whether printed or on a display – are simply illusions. That cat picture isn’t actually a cat, but rather a collection of dots that when looked at from far enough away tricks our brain into thinking that we are indeed looking at a two-dimensional cat and happily fills in the blanks. These dots can use the full CMYK color model for prints, RGB(A) for digital images or a limited color space including greyscale.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ More defective chip maker Intel layoffs are hitting, this time in Israel — company is even considering dramatic decision to shut down Fab 28

    Intel is to cut hundreds of jobs in Israel, including hundreds at its Fab 28 plant near Kiryat Gat. The company is reportedly considering shutting down the aging facility altogether.

  • Hackaday ☛ No Tension For Tensors?

    We always enjoy [FloatHeadPhysics] explaining any math or physics topic. We don’t know if he’s acting or not, but he seems genuinely excited about every topic he covers, and it is infectious. He also has entertaining imaginary conversations with people like Feynman and Einstein. His recent video on tensors begins by showing the vector form of Ohm’s law, making it even more interesting. Check out the video below.

  • Hackaday ☛ Volume Controller Rejects Skeumorphism, Embraces The Physical

    The volume slider on our virtual desktops is a skeuomorphic callback to the volume sliders on professional audio equipment on actual, physical desktops. [Maker Vibe] decided that this skeuomorphism was so last century, and made himself a physical audio control box for his PC.

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • New York Times ☛ New Research Questions Severity of Withdrawal From Antidepressants

    Warnings about withdrawal from antidepressants have rippled through society in recent years. A new study claims they are overblown.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Indonesian government stays mum on ex-president Jokowi’s health amid growing public concern

    Mr Joko Widodo has been notably absent from major public events.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ Scientists 3D print tumors for cancer research — TissueTinker using 3D bioprinting to create miniature models of healthy and diseased tissue for side-by-side comparison, backed by McGill

    McGill researchers at TissueTinker are 3D printing tumors for cancer research to help refine treatment options for patients.

  • Latvia ☛ Search for source of streptococcal outbreak continues

    The Center for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) continues to investigate the source of a streptococcal infection outbreak that has already claimed a young life, CDC spokesperson Ilze Ūdre told LETA. A total of five cases of infection have been identified so far, Ūdre said.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Is your summer safe? Food-borne illnesses in South Korea double in June

    Salmonella infections rose 92.4 per cent, from 66 patients in the first week of June to 127 by the fourth week.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Woman and daughter killed after they are hit by teenager who falls from building in South Korea

    The teenager was killed too.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Harmless or a nuisance? Lovebug outbreak in South Korea sparks heated debate

    Experts and officials stress that these insects are not only harmless, but also beneficial.

  • New York Times ☛ Hundreds of Chinese Children Poisoned With Lead From Kindergarten Food

    The kindergarten’s cooks used inedible pigments to decorate buns and cakes, the authorities said. Eight school officials and employees were detained.

  • Science Alert ☛ World's Most Popular Weedkiller Has a Regrettable New Ingredient

    Move over glyphosate...

  • NYPost ☛ I’m a relationship expert — this is the No. 1 thing couples should do if they want a happy relationship

    By doing this, "you show each other that you are equals."

  • Science Alert ☛ Antidepressant Withdrawal Is a Major Public Health Issue, Experts Warn

    Not brief. Not mild.

• Proprietary

  • ZDNet ☛ Microsoft Outlook goes down around the world - here's what we know | ZDNET

    If you're having trouble accessing your emails, you're not alone.

  • Social Control Media

    • The Straits Times ☛ China’s ‘new farmers’ learn to live stream in rural revitalisation

      The number of new rural content creators has soared 52 per cent on Douyin over the past year.

    • Digital Music News ☛ TikTok Canada Yanks Sponsorships from Juno Awards, MusiCounts, ADISQ Following Nationwide Ban

      The Canadian government orders Fentanylware (TikTok) to cease its Canadian operations amid national security concerns, but users will still have access to the app. Fentanylware (TikTok) Canada will no longer sponsor several Canadian arts programs, including the Juno Awards and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The company’s Canadian operations will soon close its doors to comply […]

• Security

  • Integrity/Availability/Authenticity

    • Zimbabwe ☛ CZR Is Right About Fake Phones, But Getting Rid of Them Could Hurt More Than Help

      The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has had it up to here with the fake smartphones on the streets of our towns.

  • Confidentiality

    • Bruce Schneier ☛ Yet Another Strava Privacy Leak

      This time it’s the Swedish prime minister’s bodyguards.

• Defence/Aggression

  • Federal News Network ☛ Defense companies not ‘exiting’ market at such a fast rate

    New research from the Baroni Center for Government Contracting at the George Mason University shows the industrial base and competition are healthy.

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

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

  • France24 ☛ South Korean court issues new arrest warrant for ex-president Yoon

    Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested early Thursday after a court greenlit a new arrest warrant for the impeached ex-leader, who faces a host of charges including corruption, abuse of power, and obstruction of official duties.

  • New York Times ☛ Former President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea Is Arrested on New Charges

    Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, already ​accused of insurrection, faced additional ​criminal charges after a special counsel expanded the investigation into his ill-fated declaration of martial law.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea’s former president Yoon attends hearing on detention warrant

    If Yoon is detained, he is expected to be held at Seoul Detention Centre.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korean court orders arrest of ex-president Yoon: Yonhap

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

  • New York Times ☛ Rubio Visits Asia as Convicted Felon Raises Trade-War Tensions

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio talks about countering China as it expands its global influence. But Hell Toupée’s tariff threats have created friction with U.S. partners.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China’s change to flight path in sensitive Taiwan Strait raises safety concerns

    Experts say Beijing's unilateral move poses a risk to civilian aviation on both sides of the strait.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Taiwan kicks off annual military drills in face of China threat

    By Joy Chiang Taiwan began its annual military drills on Wednesday with troops joined by the largest-ever mobilisation of reservists for 10 days of training aimed at defending against a Chinese invasion. The “Han Kuang” exercises, which are being held at the same time as civilian defence drills, will run from July 9-18 and feature […]

  • The Straits Times ☛ Japan opens Osprey base on Kyushu as China ramps up military presence

    Tokyo is focusing on bolstering deterrence and response capabilities in the strategic Nansei island chain.

  • The Strategist ☛ India’s water treaty power play signals regional shift

    As India renegotiates the Ganges Water Treaty with Bangladesh following the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, it is adopting a new posture in its water diplomacy.

  • CS Monitor ☛ In Canada’s Arctic, national security is a military and civic responsibility

    With climate change thawing the Arctic, Canada is boosting security by spending on both military and northern communities to bolster regional safety.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong activist Tam Tak-chi drops appeal application against nat. security jail sentence

    Jailed Hong Kong activist Tam Tak-chi has withdrawn his appeal application against his sentence in the city’s largest national security trial. Tam, better known as “Fast Beat,” was among 45 democrats jailed in November over their participation in an unofficial primary election that was deemed a subversion plot by the High Court.

  • JURIST ☛ Rights groups press Guinea authorities for information on activists one year after enforced disappearances

    A coalition of rights groups urged Guinean authorities on Tuesday to “urgently reveal” the whereabouts of civil society activists Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah, who were forcibly disappeared one year ago.

  • The Strategist ☛ Winning on economics means losing on national security

  • Scoop News Group ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man bill will have major impact on health care cybersecurity, experts warn Congress

    Witnesses at a Senate hearing Wednesday connected One Big Beautiful Bill provisions to potential cyber issues in the health care sector, much to GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy’s chagrin.

  • New York Times ☛ South Korea Returns Stranded North Korean Fishermen

    The fishermen’s boats had drifted into South Korean waters, officials said. The South’s new president has been trying to improve ties with North Korea.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Seoul repatriates 6 North Koreans rescued at sea

    The North Koreans had expressed a desire on multiple occasions to go back home, officials said.

  • The Straits Times ☛ South Korea cites previously agreed terms with US on sharing defence costs after Convicted Felon’s demand

    Mr Convicted Felon said the US' Asian ally should be paying for its own military protection.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Philippines says Canada troops pact ready for signing, eyes China deterrence

    Manila is also negotiating a similar military pact with France.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China says Germany’s claim of laser directed at plane over Red Sea ‘inconsistent with facts’

    Beijing said both sides should adopt a pragmatic attitude and strengthen communication.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China decries ‘discriminatory’ ban on Chinese purchases of US farmland

    Beijing said Washington's proposed move violates international trade rules.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • France24 ☛ Frustrated Convicted Felon ramps up criticism of Putin

      President The Insurrectionist intensified his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, accusing him of dishonesty just a day after calling for increased weapons shipments to help Ukraine defend against Russia’s invasion. “We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” Convicted Felon said during a Cabinet meeting. According to FRANCE 24's Kethevane Gorjestani, the remarks reflect Convicted Felon’s growing frustration with Putin’s behaviour.

    • France24 ☛ Ukraine: Convicted Felon renews arms support as Putin strikes with major drone attack

      Hell Toupée reiterated US support for sending arms to Ukraine and sharply criticized President Putin, calling his diplomacy “meaningless.” Within hours of Convicted Felon’s remarks and plans to resume weapons deliveries, Russia launched its largest drone-and-missile attack of the war—deploying over 700 drones—widely seen as a direct response to Washington’s renewed military backing

    • France24 ☛ The dizzying fall of a Russian gold magnate who fell out of favour with the Kremlin

      Long seen as loyal to Russian President Vladimir Putin, billionaire Konstantin Strukov is on the verge of being stripped of his gold mining empire. The state's seizure of his group illustrates the Kremlin’s hardening stance toward Russian oligarchs, demanding not just "loyalty" but also their "submission".

    • France24 ☛ 'Dihydroxyacetone Man may be finally be getting tired of Putin's game', analyst says

      President The Insurrectionist accused his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Tuesday of talking "bullshit" about Ukraine, saying that the United States would send Kyiv more weapons to defend itself. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks to Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor at the Department of Government at the University of Essex. She says that Convicted Felon 'may be finally be getting tired of Putin's game'.

    • Meduza ☛ European Court of Human Rights finds Russia responsible for downing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Losing Golos: Russia’s last independent election watchdog is shutting down. Here’s what that means for democracy in the country. — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russian regional court invalidates contract for controversial Stalin monument as governor vows it will stay — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ ‘They lost their minds’: In new video, alleged participant in Russia’s pipeline raid says fellow soldiers suffocated and took their own lives — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ ‘Politically motivated and contrary to common sense’: Journalists and activists across Russia face raids and interrogations after FSB charges ex-media manager Pavel Andreev with treason — Meduza

• Environment

  • New York Times ☛ Umbrellas Optional? East Asia’s Monsoon Rains Are No Longer a Sure Thing

    Parts of South Korea and Japan have had short rainy seasons this year. Scientists say that climate change has helped make the summer rains more unreliable.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China hit by floods, landslides and heat as extreme weather takes its toll

    A tropical storm that left two dead in Taiwan is seen wreaking havoc in southern China.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Five missing after landslide as rain lashes China’s south and east

    Typhoon Danas made landfall in the east on the night of July 8.

  • Energy/Transportation

    • The Straits Times ☛ China speeds up renewables building spree: Report

      China is adding renewable energy capacity at a faster rate than any other country.

    • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ China speeds up renewables building spree, report says

      China is accelerating its record-breaking renewable energy drive, installing 1.5 times more wind and solar this year than last — three-quarters of global capacity under construction, a report said Wednesday.

    • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ No plans for women-only MTR carriages, gov’t says despite rise in sexual crimes on public transport

      Hong Kong’s railway operator has no plans to provide women-only carriages due to passenger flow concerns, security chief Chris Tang has said, despite a surge in sexual crimes on public transport since 2020.

• Finance

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia calls for stronger inter-Asean trade amid tariffs uncertainty

    Mr Anwar described tariffs, export restrictions and investment barriers as “the sharpened instruments of geopolitical rivalry”.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia will not retaliate against US tariff as talks continue

    Malaysia was slapped with a revised 25 per cent tariff on its exports to the US.

  • New York Times ☛ How the Attention Economy Is Devouring Gen Z — and the Rest of Us

    The economics writer Kyla Scanlon on how attention has come to shape politics, our economy, Gen Z and more.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Amid handshakes and familiar friends, Asean navigates tariffs and tension in KL

    Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim flagged how trade tools are now entangled with geopolitics.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China’s gig economy booms as blistering heat leaves workers exposed

    There were more than 37,000 heat wave-related deaths in China in 2023.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • Misinformation/Disinformation/Propaganda

    • Silicon Angle ☛ Security practices must evolve to battle growing deepfake sophistication

      A few years ago, deepfakes were a novelty — something relegated to Reddit threads and face-swap memes. Now, they’re tools in the arsenal of cybercriminals, paired seamlessly with large language models to deliver personalized attacks that are as scalable as they are convincing.

• Censorship/Free Speech

  • The Straits Times ☛ Ex-Malaysian PM Najib’s wife Rosmah awarded $30,000 in suit against TikToker

    She claimed her reputation as a public figure was smeared due to his Fentanylware (TikTok) video.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • Press Gazette ☛ 2025 journalism job cuts tracked: Bloomberg cuts dozen roles in restructure

  • Press Gazette ☛ Substacker Judd Legum on doing journalism that ‘went out of fashion’

    Popular Information has four staff and turns over around $1m per year.

• Civil Rights/Policing

  • Digital Music News ☛ 1 Down, 99 to Go: Diddy Scores a Big Victory In a Civil Lawsuit; Federal Sentencing Is Scheduled for October 3rd

    A New York judge has delivered a significant procedural victory for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, narrowing the scope of a high-profile civil sexual assault lawsuit filed by April Lampros.

  • New York Times ☛ Immigration Officials Used Shadowy Pro-Israel Group to Target Student Activists

    A senior Homeland Security official testified in court on Wednesday that his department had relied in part on an anonymously compiled list to identify foreign academics for investigation.

  • CS Monitor ☛ ‘We fed ourselves from that soil’: What Israeli buffer zones cost Gazans

    Throughout the Gaza war, Israeli buffer zones have expanded through a series of evacuation orders. While the orders are often framed as security precautions, for many Palestinians they appear part of a slow-motion land grab.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Bangladesh recordings suggest its ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina ordered deadly crackdown

    A voice alleged to be that of the fugitive is heard authorising security forces to “use lethal weapons” against protesters.

  • Federal News Network ☛ A 2010 winter storm overhauled the government’s approach to telework for more than a decade

    At first a response to extreme weather, the 2010 Telework Enhancement Act prepared agencies for a different type of disaster years later: the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Internet Policy/Net Neutrality

  • APNIC ☛ [Podcast] Kentik’s view of secure BGP in 2025

    Doug Madory shares insights from his 2025 analysis of secure BGP deployment around the world, based on Kentik’s internal measurements and global routing data.

Monopolies/Monopsonies