Leftovers

• Drew DeVault ☛ Addressing the harassment [Ed: Drew is projecting; he got caught being a pervert, now he paints himself as the victim]

  Kiwi Farms is a web forum that facilitates the discussion and harassment of online figures and communities. Their targets are often subject to organized group trolling and stalking, as well as doxing and real-life harassment.

• Science

  • Science Alert ☛ Curiosity Found Strange 'Dragon Scale' Rocks on Mars, And Scientists Are Excited

    Here be dragons.

  • Science Alert ☛ This Fungus Can Survive Deep-Space Conditions – And Could Hitch a Ride to Mars

    Spores! In! Spaaaaaace!

  • Science Alert ☛ Medical Scans Reveal Hidden Secrets Inside Ancient Egyptian Mummies

    Thousands of years later.

  • Science Alert ☛ Curiosity Finds New Building Blocks of Life on Mars in Landmark Experiment

    A first-of-its-kind chemistry test on another planet.

• Career/Education

  • Futurism ☛ Concern Grows That Hey Hi (AI) Is Damaging Users’ Cognitive Abilities

    "The brain didn't fall asleep, but there was much less activation in the areas corresponding to creativity and to processing information."

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • The Straits Times ☛ ‘Zombie drug’ openly sold at some vape outlets in Malaysia

    Furanylfentanyl, a derivative of fentanyl, is extremely dangerous and can cause severe addiction.

  • PHR ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man Administration Foreign Policy Approach to South Africa Wastes Billions of Dollars, Imperils Global Health: Report

    Dihydroxyacetone Man administration cuts to HIV programs, research, and diplomatic relations have delt a “triple blow” to South Africa that wastes years of U.S. investment and risks lives in South Africa, the United States, and around the world, according to a new report published today by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) [...]

  • Latvia ☛ Many holes in children's dentistry in Latvia

    Latvia has a catastrophic situation regarding children’s oral health – nearly all children have damaged teeth, Ilze Maldupa, a leading researcher at the RSU Department of General Dentistry, stated on the Latvian Television program Morning Panorama. explained,

  • New York Times ☛ RFK Jr. Refused to Commit to Backing New CDC Director on Vaccines

    In a tense congressional hearing, the health secretary also said he bore no responsibility for the measles outbreak in the United States.

  • Science Alert ☛ Blood Tests Could Reveal Alzheimer's Risk Years Before Symptoms Appear

    An early warning system.

  • Science Alert ☛ DNA Can Be Built in a Way We've Never Seen Before, Study Finds

    Life finds another way.

  • Science Alert ☛ Study of 11,000 US Teens Links Cannabis Use to Slower Brain Development

    These small differences can add up over time.

  • Science Alert ☛ Expert Reveals a Simple Way to Reduce The Health Risks of Sitting

    You can start with two minutes.

• Proprietary

  • New York Times ☛ A Wish List for John Ternus, the Man Replacing Tim Cook as Apple’s CEO

    John Ternus, an Fashion Company Apple veteran who runs hardware engineering, will take over an extraordinarily profitable company in need of new ideas.

  • Security Week ☛ Dozens of Malicious Crypto Apps Land in Fashion Company Apple App Store

    Masquerading as popular cryptocurrency wallets, the apps can hijack recovery phrases and private keys.

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) / LLM Slop / Plagiarism

    • Silicon Angle ☛ Florida attorney general issues subpoenas in Abusive Monopolist Microsoft Chaffbot probe over FSU shooting

      Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier today said that the state has opened a criminal investigation into Abusive Monopolist Microsoft Chaffbot and its parent company, Proprietary Chaffbot Company Group PBC, over whether the company bears any criminal responsibility for a shooting that happened last year at Florida State University.

    • [Repeat] Futurism ☛ Things You Told Abusive Monopolist Microsoft Chaffbot or Claude May Have Already Doomed You in Court

      "Disclosure of privileged communications to a third-party Hey Hi (AI) platform may constitute a waiver of the attorney-client privilege."

    • New York Times ☛ A.I. ‘Hallucinations’ Created Errors in Court Filing, Top Law Firm Says [Ed: They should be disbarred immediately!]

      Sullivan & Cromwell apologized for submitting a court document that had fake citations created by artificial intelligence.

    • Futurism ☛ Meta Installing Software on Employee Computers to Track Everything They Do, Feed the Data to AI

      The company is saying the quiet part out loud.

    • Tom's Hardware ☛ Anthropic nuked a company's access to Claude, stopping 60 employees dead in their tracks — support via Surveillance Giant Google Form is the only recourse for vague usage policy violation

      Anthropic nukes a company's access to Claude, stopping 60 employees dead in their tracks on the back of a "usage policy violation."

  • Social Control Media

    • The Straits Times ☛ Singapore has to act to regulate social control media use for adolescents: Ong Ye Kung

      Its options for doing so are still open, he said at the close of his visit to China.

• Security

  • Privacy/Surveillance

    • LRT ☛ New border control system require more data from non-EU travellers

      A new European Union border control system requiring biometric data from non-EU travellers has been fully operational for a week across 29 countries, as officials seek to strengthen security and modernise border checks.

    • AccessNow ☛ Amicus Brief to the European Court of Human Rights on spyware and surveillance in Azerbaijan

    • Bruce Schneier ☛ Mexican Surveillance Company

      Grupo Seguritech is a Mexican surveillance company that is expanding into the US.

    • American Oversight ☛ American Oversight Sues for Records on Convicted Felon Admin Use of Palantir Tools Amid Growing Privacy, Data Collection Concerns

      Federal agencies should disclose whether Palantir tools are being used for surveillance.

    • NYOB ☛ Digital Omnibus reality check: 83.5% of access requests not properly answered

      Data Subject Rights

      The most commonly exercised right under the GDPR is the right of access to one’s personal data that is being processed by companies. After all, it’s often the prerequisite to know if there is inaccurate or unlawful personal data that needs to be corrected or deleted.

• Defence/Aggression

  • Mexico News Daily ☛ Sheinbaum orders probe into whether CIA operation in Chihuahua violated Mexican law

    President Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that if an investigation finds that the state of Chihuahua and the U.S. were carrying out a joint security operation, Mexico would send a protest note to the U.S. government.

  • The Straits Times ☛ US commander says Iran war success crucial for deterrence in Asia

    Admiral Paparo said China should recognise the US’ “capability and will” to respond to aggression.

  • 2026 Balikatan exercises will highlight Manila’s more ‘active defense posture’

    Experts note that Philippines remains anchored in alliance with US, but will assert more agency over own defense.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China flexes energy leverage as the Philippines, US start annual war games

    Beijing could start to use supply assistance as leverage against nations that have displeased it, analysts say.

  • Mexico News Daily ☛ Mexico-Taiwan trade, already growing steadily, has surged this year

    A 400% year-on-year increase in Mexican imports from Taiwan reflects the significant deepening of trade ties between the two countries in recent years, amid a broader regional shift toward supply chain diversification away from China.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China praises nations that denied overflight rights for Taiwan president

    The Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar had revoked permission to fly over their territories.

  • New York Times ☛ Xi Calls for Hormuz to Reopen as China Balances Its Gulf Interests

    The comments on the Strait of Hormuz by China’s leader, Pooh-tin Jinping, reflect Beijing’s complex relations with Iran and other Persian Gulf nations.

  • CS Monitor ☛ Peru: Caught between decades of Chinese investment and renewed US regional interest

    Peruvians say they welcome U.S. investment – but not at the expense of their relationship with China.

  • The Straits Times ☛ China’s foreign minister to tour South-east Asia this week

    China hopes the visits to the three South-east Asian nations will deepen ties to the region.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Taiwan president cancels Africa trip blaming Chinese pressure

    Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday he had cancelled his trip to Eswatini this week, after his government accused China of pressing three other African countries to revoke permission for his aircraft to fly over their territories.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Taiwan firm speeds up drone development amid China pressure

    Taipei plans to bolster the island’s air defence systems and is placing increased emphasis on the role of drones.

  • France24 ☛ Japan scraps a ban on lethal weapons exports in a change of its postwar pacifist policy

    Japan on Tuesday scrapped a ban on lethal weapons exports, a major change in its postwar pacifist policy as the country seeks to build up its arms industry amid worries over Chinese and North Korean aggression. FRANCE 24's Luke Shrago reports.

  • The Strategist ☛ Good news: Japan further loosens its military export rules

    Revisions to defence export controls adopted by Japan’s cabinet today demonstrate the urgency with which Tokyo is shaking up its post-war defence settings in the face of increasing international insecurity.

  • CS Monitor ☛ Asia’s expanding circle of security

    In a first, Japan sends combat troops to joint military exercises in a neighbor it once conquered. Only this time the binding elements are values shared by other democracies.

  • JURIST ☛ Japan lifts restrictions on weapon and technology exports

    The Japanese government on Tuesday approved revisions to its defense equipment and technology framework, lifting restrictions on overseas weapons exports. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated: “In today’s increasingly severe security environment, no country can safeguard its own peace and security alone.” She expressed support for providing partnered and allied countries with defensive technology and equipment.

  • The Straits Times ☛ US did not move THAAD defence system from South Korea to Middle East, general says

    The US-made THAAD system is used for high-altitude interception of ballistic missiles.

  • New York Times ☛ Two Palestinians Killed in Israeli Shooting Near West Bank School

    A child was among the dead, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The Israeli military said it had attempted to break up clashes in Al Mughayir, which has seen a surge of Israeli settler violence.

  • New York Times ☛ Israeli Soldiers Sentenced to Jail for Damaging Jesus Statue in Lebanon

    A statue of the crucifixion of Christ has been replaced after one soldier photographed another swinging what looked like a sledgehammer at its head.

  • France24 ☛ Significant 'overlap' between auto industry and arms manufacturing, expert says

    The European automobile industry is pivoting from car production to manufacturing combat drones and defense systems as the continent seeks to rearm in the face of Russia's continued threats. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Rico Luman, Senior Economist for Transport and Logistics at ING Bank, explains that there is an extensive overlap in expertise between auto and weapons engineering that can be successfully exploited to boost Europe's defense industry.

  • France24 ☛ Was The Insurrectionist 'blocked' from using the nuclear codes against Iran?

    Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson alleged on a podcast this week that President The Insurrectionist wanted to use the nuclear codes against Iran during an emergency White House meeting, but that he was stopped by General Dan Caine, Chairman of his Joint Chiefs of Staff. He described the interaction as "quite the blow up." It comes as concern mounts over the US President's unpredictable behaviour, as many lawmakers voice doubt about his mental state.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • LRT ☛ Lithuania considers logistics, demining role in Strait of Hormuz security

      Lithuania could contribute logistics and demining capabilities to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, with several mission options under consideration, a presidential national security aide said on Tuesday.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Apartment collapses in Russia's Syzran, 11 injured after Ukrainian drone attack

      Part of an apartment building has collapsed in the Russian city of Syzran on the Volga river after a Ukrainian drone attack, injuring 11 people, local authorities said on Wednesday.

    • New York Times ☛ ‘Donnyland’? Ukraine Proposes Naming Part of the Donbas in Convicted Felon’s Honor.

      The proposal reflects a global reality in which governments appeal to Hell Toupée’s vanity to get American might on their side.

    • LRT ☛ Germany tells Russia threats are 'unacceptable' after arms makers list published

      Germany became the second country to condemn Moscow over the publication of a list of companies Russia claimed are helping produce attack drones for Ukraine, warning that "direct threats" are "unacceptable."

    • France24 ☛ Russia's Sergei Shoigu says safety of Russians in Transnistria under threat, TASS reports

      ⁠The ​safety of ​Russian citizens in Moldova's breakaway Transnistria ​region ‌is currently ⁠under threat, ‌Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia's Security ​Council, said on Tuesday. Speaking on FRANCE 24, Laurențiu Pleșca, Policy Fellow at the German Marshall Fund, explains that Russia is using the same playbook it used in eastern Ukraine and Donbas adding that "it's remarkable that Shoigu is not even trying to hide it".

    • France24 ☛ Ukraine reopens damaged Druzhba pipeline to unlock €90 billion EU loan

      Kyiv said Tuesday it has repaired the damaged Druzhba oil pipeline, clearing the last obstacle to a long-delayed €90 billion EU loan. The move forces Ukraine into the uncomfortable position of resuming Russian oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia even as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky presses allies to tighten sanctions on Moscow.

    • Defence Web ☛ Could short-term deals weaken Russia’s enduring influence in Africa?

      As the war in Ukraine continues, Moscow is prioritising bilateral engagements with African nations to counter the political and economic [...]

    • Latvia ☛ Russian diplomat summoned by Latvia yet again

      A staffer at the Russian embassy in Rīga was summoned by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on April 21st, the latest in an extremely long line of similar diplomatic summonses since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine.

    • European Commission ☛ EU, Ukraine and Canada to co-host high-level meeting on returning Ukrainian children

      European Commission Press release Brussels, 21 Apr 2026 The EU, together with Ukraine and Canada will co-host a high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children on 11 May in Brussels.

    • LRT ☛ Lithuania to continue denying Fico airspace access for Moscow flight

      Lithuania will continue denying Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico airspace access for a planned flight to Moscow for World War Two commemorations, a presidential national security aide said on Tuesday.

    • LRT ☛ Lithuanian prosecutors send Belarus balloon cigarette smuggling case to court

      Kaunas regional prosecutors have sent to court a case against two individuals accused of smuggling and illegal possession of excise goods as part of an organised group, the Prosecutor General’s Office said on Tuesday.

    • Latvia ☛ Latvian government approves air defence procurement using EU funds

      On Tuesday, April 21st, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the use of the European Security Action Fund (SAFE) instrument to finance the procurement of unmanned aerial vehicles, guided missiles and anti-drone systems to promote the accelerated development of the capabilities of the National Armed Forces.

    • JURIST ☛ UN experts decry human rights violations at Belarus detention camp

      UN experts on Monday raised alarm over allegations of poor conditions, inhumane treatment, and other international law violations at a Belarus detention center. Following confidential meetings with a Navapolatsk Correctional Colony psychologist, experts heard reports of “detainees…subjected to prolonged solitary confinement, disciplinary sanctions and physical punishments after suicide attempts, [and] denial  of essential medical care.”

• Environment

  • Energy/Transportation

    • The Straits Times ☛ North Korean hackers suspected of $382m crypto heist

      In 2025, the US accused North Korea of stealing US$1.5 billion worth of digital assets.

    • Security Week ☛ $290 Million Kelp DAO Crypto Heist Blamed on North Korea

      The hackers targeted LayerZero’s DVN, compromising certain RPCs and DDoSing others to trigger failover to the poisoned infrastructure.  

    • New York Times ☛ London Tube Drivers’ Strike Halts a Key Line

      The dispute over working conditions and hours was expected to cause widespread delays and service outages.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Turkey arrests 110 coal miners on hunger strike

      The lignite miners are demanding the payment of outstanding wages and redundancy pay from their employer.

    • The Straits Times ☛ China cuts petrol, diesel price caps for first time since Iran war began

      Beijing has raised maximum retail prices for gasoline and diesel three times since March.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Delicate extraction: Malaysia offers rare earths alternative to China

      China makes up 90 per cent of the world's rare earths market.

    • Futurism ☛ Guess What This Creepy Underwater Thing Is That Was Photographed by US Navy Divers for NASA

      Hint: it's neither a bird, nor a plane.

  • Wildlife/Nature

    • Science Alert ☛ Amazonian 'Internet of The Forest' Helps Birds And Monkeys Communicate

      Nunbird retweeted you.

  • Overpopulation

    • Overpopulation ☛ Population growth is still rapid. Has the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) forgotten family planning programs?

      Projected population growth of about 2 billion in Africa and elsewhere contributes to poverty, impoverished reproductive health, and degradation of environment and climate. In a new publication in the journal Reproductive Health we argue that this unsustainable growth and the crucial role of family planning are neglected by among others the UN Population Fund.

• Finance

  • Futurism ☛ JPMorganChase Data Center Gets $77 Million Handout to Create Grand Total of One Job

    "The county is giving away quite a lot of public money in exchange basically for nothing."

  • NYPost ☛ US warns it will run out of money to pay airport security workers in coming weeks

    Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne ​Mullin told "Fox and Friends" on Tuesday that the money would run out ⁠by early May.

  • Federal News Network ☛ Mullin: DHS to run out of emergency funds to pay staff in early May

    Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin says DHS will soon run out of emergency funds, as a Congressional plan to end the shutdown remains uncertain.

  • Federal News Network ☛ Republicans launch a new effort to fund the Department of Homeland Security

    The Senate voted on Tuesday to launch a new effort to reopen the Department of Homeland Security and end the current shutdown.

  • New York Times ☛ D.H.S. Will Run Out of Money for Paychecks in May, Secretary Says

    The issue threatens to renew chaos at airports as lawmakers remain divided over a deal to end the two-month shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

  • The Straits Times ☛ 4 schoolkids at home, 1 dying phone: Digital poverty is holding back Malaysia’s needy children

    During the pandemic, 37 per cent of Malaysian students, or about 1.7 million children, lacked devices for online learning.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • France24 ☛ UK: No 10 had "dismissive attitude" to Mandelson's vetting

    A former senior British Foreign Office official says he was under “constant pressure” from the Prime Minister’s office to speed up Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US, escalating a political row that is now threatening Keir Starmer’s leadership. Olly Robbins, the department’s most senior official until his dismissal last week, told a parliamentary committee that Number 10 showed a “dismissive attitude” toward security vetting for the appointment. It follows reports that independent officials recommended denying Mandelson clearance due to his past links to Jeffrey Epstein, prompting renewed calls for Starmer to resign after he insisted due process had been followed.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • Digital Music News ☛ Drake Comes Out Swinging Against Universal Music in ‘Not Like Us’ Suit Appeal; Accuses UMG Of Wanting a ‘Free Pass for Defamation’

    Can a diss track go too far? Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” caused the public to view Drake “as another Jeffrey Epstein” – at least according to Drake himself, who’s come out swinging against Universal Music Group in their high-stakes appeal battle.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Hong Kong gov’t applies to seize HK$127m of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai’s assets

    The Hong Kong government is seeking to confiscate HK$127 million in assets belonging to pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, following his conviction and jail term under the national security law. Lai has been summoned to the High Court on July 8 to hear the government’s application.

  • France24 ☛ Why supporters of Burkina Faso’s junta leader are campaigning against a Sky News journalist

    Yousra Elbagir, a journalist with British TV channel Sky News, has become the target of a smear campaign by supporters of Burkina Faso's junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré after she raised questions about security in the country and the repression of free speech.

  • Press Gazette ☛ UK publishers urge CMA to curb Surveillance Giant Google as search giant claims Hey Hi (AI) does them no harm

    ‘Fine-tuning’ one of several requests as CMA to give Surveillance Giant Google new conduct rules.

• Civil Rights / Policing / Accessibility

  • The Straits Times ☛ Malaysia says it’s studying new migrant worker hiring system

    Such an approach would enable direct recruitment of workers, with recruitment costs borne entirely by employers.

  • The Straits Times ☛ High-profile inmates in South Korea are cashing in behind bars

    Jailed former president Yoon Suk Yeol received more than 1.2 billion won (S$1 million) in funds.

• Internet Policy/Net Neutrality

  • APNIC ☛ Welcoming the 2026 APNIC general and Policy Fellows

    APNIC is pleased to welcome the successful applicants to its 2026 general and Policy Fellowship programs. This year’s Fellows reflect the diversity and talent of network practitioners and community contributors from across the Asia Pacific region.

• Monopolies/Monopsonies

  • Patents

    • Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ The DTSA’s Missing Preemption: Does § 1835(b) Bind State Courts?

      A new cert petition asks whether the DTSA's trade secret confidentiality protections in 18 U.S.C. § 1835(b) bind state courts. The answer is far from clear.

    • Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Still Climbing: PTA Hits 318 Days, Back to 2015 Levels

      Patent Term Adjustment hits 318-day peak in April 2026, back to 2015 levels. Director Squires' oldest-cases-first push is part of the story.

    • JUVE ☛ Brita prevails again in filter cartridge dispute

      Water filters are popular in households to remove certain substances, such as limescale, from tap water prior to consumption. The filters in water carafes are typically replaced at regular intervals to achieve the desired purity. Manufacturer Brita is currently taking action against several competitors who are challenging its market share for these filter cartridges.

    • JUVE ☛ CMS strengthens London IP practice with McCarthy Denning partner [Ed: Marketing spam disguised as news, as if one person changing a job is significant]

      Tom Carver officially joined CMS Cameron McKenna’s London practice on 20 April as partner. He brings experience in patents, trademarks, and design rights. In addition to law, Carver also holds a degree in genetics from the University of Nottingham.

  • Trademarks

    • Right of Publicity

      • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ Outrage in China after streaming site iQIYI debuts Hey Hi (AI) actor ‘database’

        China’s equivalent of Netflix, iQIYI, faced backlash on Monday over a new initiative that facilitates the use of actors’ likenesses in artificially generated dramas and films. More than 100 celebrities have joined a platform to connect with makers of AI-generated content interested in using their image, a senior executive told a conference in Beijing.

  • Copyrights

    • Digital Music News ☛ Drake’s Album ‘Ice Sculpture’ Quickly Draws a Mob Wielding Sledgehammers and Pickaxes

      Toronto police have temporarily blocked off Drake’s promotional ice sculpture hiding album info to protect it from fans trying to break and melt it. Drake has hidden the release date for his upcoming album, ICEMAN, inside an ice sculpture in his native Toronto in the parking lot of the Bond Hotel.

    • Digital Music News ☛ RCN’s Multi-Year Legal War With UMG, WMG, and Sony Music Takes a Dramatic Turn

      Cox v. Sony Music is factoring into yet another copyright monopoly dispute: RCN has cited the unanimous Supreme Court decision in its marathon legal battle with the major labels.

    • Digital Music News ☛ Today in Social Media Infringement Litigation: UMG, Concord Slap Quince with Major Lawsuit Over TikTok, Instagram Infringement Allegations

      Universal Music Group and Concord sue fashion startup Quince for “rampant and brazen” copyright monopoly infringement on social control media posts. Universal Music Group (UMG) and Concord Music Group, along with Capitol Records and six Universal Music Publishing entities, have filed a copyright monopoly infringement lawsuit against popular direct-to-consumer fashion startup Quince.