Leftovers

• New Yorker ☛ How to Write When You’re Feeling Stuck

  If you focus on writing a thousand words a day, you won’t feel overwhelmed by the fact that you’ve been trapped in a submarine for the past year and a half.

• Science / Mathematics / Computer Science

  • Science Alert ☛ Hidden in a Guatemalan Ruin For 1,200 Years Was The Signature of a Maya Mathematical Genius

    The 'white-chested fox'.

  • Science Alert ☛ Plant Compound Protects Mice From Knee Cartilage Damage in Space

    This could have wider implications.

  • Science Alert ☛ The Center of Our Galaxy Is More Like a Raspberry Donut Than We Realized

    And it could explain how life began.

  • Science Alert ☛ Your Dominant Hand Isn't Actually Hard-Wired, New Study Suggests

    Left- or right-handed? The difference may not be as innate as you think.

  • Science Alert ☛ Astronauts Have Taken The First Human X‑Rays in Space

    Astronauts have spent 65 years without X-rays.

• Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

  • JURIST ☛ US appeals court reverses dismissal of Tylenol cases

    A US federal appeals court on Monday reversed a trial judge’s decision to dismiss lawsuits against Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol. This judgment effectively revived hundreds of cases that were filed by families who claim that their children developed autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) after the women took Tylenol during pregnancy. 

  • Science Alert ☛ A Last-Resort Antibiotic Is Losing The Battle Against a Dangerous Hospital Bug

    Outsmarting our best drugs.

  • Science Alert ☛ Gummies Packed With Beneficial Bacteria Can Reduce Gum Bleeding in Just 6 Weeks, Trial Finds

    The good kind of snack.

• Proprietary / SaaS

  • Xe's Blog ☛ You should probably check on your smart appliances

    TL;DR: is your refrigerator running malware? If so, you better catch it!

  • So-Called 'Artificial Intelligence' ('AI') / LLM Slop / Plagiarism

    • Michael Geist ☛ Outdated Data and Dubious Comparisons: Digging into the Government’s Hey Hi (AI) Strategy Adoption Claims

      The government’s national Hey Hi (AI) strategy is largely framed around the notion that Canada has an Hey Hi (AI) adoption problem. At the launch last month, Prime Minister Mark Carney said that “only 12% of Canadian businesses are using Hey Hi (AI) today” and presented the strategy as a plan to address concerns that Canada lags behind other countries.

    • Futurism ☛ Grok’s Foul-Mouthed Hey Hi (AI) “Translation” Feature Puts Unspeakably Ghoulish Words Into Users’ Mouths

      "Uhhh the automatic translation makes it alarming."

    • Futurism ☛ New York Becomes First State to Ban Hey Hi (AI) Data Centers

      "When companies succeed because of New York, New Yorkers succeed too."

    • France24 ☛ Publishers sue Surveillance Giant Google over alleged use of books to train Hey Hi (AI) models

      Book publishers sued Surveillance Giant Google on Tuesday, accusing the tech giant of illegally using copyrighted works to train its artificial intelligence models and generate content that competes with human authors. The lawsuit marks the latest legal battle over how Hey Hi (AI) developers use books and other creative works to build their systems.

  • Windows TCO / Windows Bot Nets

    • Security Week ☛ Iran-Linked Hackers Using Modular C&C Framework in Cyberattacks

      Researchers say the Iran-linked threat actor used an adaptable modular malware framework and compromised IT service providers to reach high-value targets in Israel.

• Security

  • Integrity/Availability/Authenticity

    • Scoop News Group ☛ Treasury sanctions First VPN Service, others for abetting ransomware gangs

      The designations hit 1VPNS, its alleged Ukrainian administrator and a Belarusian who allegedly sold “cryptors” to disguise ransomware and other malware.

  • Privacy/Surveillance

    • The Straits Times ☛ No fitness trackers, smart watches: More Chinese universities ban high-tech wearables in exam halls

      Several universities in China have reported cases of cheating involving smart electronic devices.

• Defence/Aggression

  • China’s sanctions on Philippine defense chief puts Japan ties in spotlight

    Experts say Beijing is invoking Japan’s wartime past to try to delegitimize Manila's South China Sea claims.

  • Hong Kong Free Press ☛ China expels ex-Xinjiang official from Communist Party over graft

    China expelled a former top Xinjiang official from the ruling Communist Party and removed him from all his posts over corruption allegations, including nepotism, bribery, and paying for sex, state media said Tuesday.

  • NYPost ☛ US seismologist who studied North Korean nukes detained in China, wife fights ‘unjust’ charges

    An American seismologist who spent his career studying North Korean nuclear tests has been locked up in China for years and is expected to be hauled in front of a court over spying charges, his wife and advocates said.

  • The Strategist ☛ Pine Gap’s influence in the Australia–US relationship has diminished

    Australia is probably overestimating Pine Gap’s support for our place in the US alliance. It’s no longer irreplaceable.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • LRT ☛ ‘Nuclear option’: Lithuania mulls introducing border checks with Latvia

      Lithuania's incoming Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas has not ruled out temporarily reintroducing border controls with Latvia as the number of migrants arriving from Belarus via Latvia continues to increase. Compared with the first half of last year, secondary migration from Latvia has risen fourfold.

    • LRT ☛ Lithuania’s foreign policy direction – same, but different?

      With questions surrounding Belarus and China, what will the foreign policy of the upcoming Social Democrat government look like?

    • New York Times ☛ Lindsey Graham’s Death Leaves Fate of Russia Sanctions Bill Uncertain

      Supporters in both parties hope the measure to penalize Russia, championed by Senator Lindsey Graham, will gain momentum in his honor.

    • Security Week ☛ US, Allies Warn of Russian Cyberattacks Targeting Critical Infrastructure Routers

      Multiple state-sponsored APTs are compromising poorly secured devices across critical infrastructure sector networks.

    • Latvia ☛ Latvia joins call for EU to cut funding to International Olympic Committee

      Latvia is one of at least eight European countries that will address the European Commission with a proposal to withdraw European Union (EU) funding for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a result of its attempts to rehabilite aggressor states Russia and Belarus in international competition.

    • New York Times ☛ Ukraine Wants to Make Its Own Antimissile System, Not Just Patriots

      The Ukrainian firm Fire Point has produced weapons that hit Russian territory. Its next goal, developing an antimissile system, is a much bigger challenge, experts said.

    • New York Times ☛ Europe, Flexing Muscle in Ukraine, Is Still on Sidelines in Iran

      In a show of collective strength, President Emmanuel Macron of France hosted European allies at the annual Bastille Day parade in Paris. Yet Europe is still a hostage to America’s foreign policy.

    • RFERL ☛ Ukraine Gets Nod From France To Produce French Defense Systems

      France will allow Ukraine to produce French-made ​cruise missiles, precision guided bombs and air defense interceptor ‌missiles on top of orders for the next-generation Franco-Italian air defense system SAMP/T and 16 Rafale fighter jets.

    • Latvia ☛ Latvia's honorary consuls in Ukraine given awards

      On Monday, July 13th, Minister of Defense Raivis Melnis met with Latvia's honorary consuls in Ukraine to present them with awards.

• Environment

  • Wildlife/Nature

    • Science Alert ☛ Scientists May Have Found a Way to Extend Fertility in Mice

      Keeping the ovaries softer.

    • Science Alert ☛ 'Vanishingly Rare' Discovery: T. Rex Hatchlings Were Smaller Than a Cat And Born by The Dozen

      Almost cute. Almost.

• Finance

  • BIA Net ☛ Turkey detains rock singer running charity over alleged misuse of earthquake donations

    Haluk Levent became particularly prominent during the 2023 earthquakes when he raised around 150 million US dollars worth of funds. He is now accused of misusing these donations, including on betting.

  • Tom's Hardware ☛ China claims chip exports nearly doubled to $177 billion in the first half of 2026 as memory prices surged — 96% year-on-year increase inflated by hikes

    The Chinese customs administration attributed the surge to global demand for Hey Hi (AI) hardware.

  • Digital Music News ☛ StubHub CEO’s Ticket Broker Connections Lead to Customer Class Action Lawsuit

    StubHub’s CEO is also the managing partner of a ticket broker that has made millions on the platform. To consumers, that revelation spells fraud.

  • The Straits Times ☛ Marriage on hold for young Malaysians due to rising living costs, financial insecurity

    A UN survey has found that young people need stronger economic and social support to achieve these milestones.

  • Digital Music News ☛ Washington D.C. Approves One of the Nation’s Most Stringent Ticket-Scalping Laws

    Washington DC passes a robust consumer protection law for concert fans in the form of the RESALE Act, which establishes a 10% price cap for resellers.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • France24 ☛ Gianni Infantino under fire as viral claims drag European Parliament into FIFA row

    Viral claims with millions of views falsely claim. the European Parliament has launched a probe into FIFA chief Gianni Infantino. In reality, the move came from a letter by 72 MEPs to EU football associations, urging them to seek a formal FIFA review into the controversial Balogun red card reversal. No probe has been opened, but the episode adds to growing scrutiny around FIFA’s president.

  • New York Times ☛ As Confirmation Hearing Nears, Todd Blanche’s Role in Epstein Case Draws Scrutiny

    Todd Blanche’s role in interviewing Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime associate of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, will be front and center as he seeks to become attorney general.

  • ACLU ☛ Todd Blanche's Record Raises Alarming Questions About the Future of the DOJ

    With Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche set to appear before the Senate for a hearing to potentially confirm him to the post, senators have no shortage of questions to ask about his record.

• Censorship/Free Speech

  • The Straits Times ☛ Indian activist urged to give up hunger strike over exam leaks

    Sonam Wangchuk has been fasting since June 28 in solidarity with the founder of India’s youth Cockroach Janta Party.

  • New York Times ☛ Bloomberg Loses Landmark Libel Case in Singapore

    A judge ruled in favor of two Singaporean ministers in a closely watched defamation trial seen as a significant test of the country’s libel laws and their implications for press freedom.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • Press Gazette ☛ Journalism job cuts in 2026 tracked: Sherwood News shuts down and axes staff

  • Press Gazette ☛ Claude’s ability to remix ‘liquid content’ is ‘serious challenge for news media’

    Digital News Report author Nic Newman explained how publishers should respond.

  • Press Gazette ☛ ‘Petulant’ Harry statement after Mail hacking trial was ‘beyond the pale’

    Media lawyer condemns Harry statement, plus accused journalist 'angry' over 'desperate' case.

• Civil Rights / Policing / Accessibility

  • Federal News Network ☛ Judge tells DOJ to reinstate telework for two attorneys as their lawsuit proceeds

    A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction for two federal employees with disabilities who are suing DOJ for rescinding their telework accommodations.

• Internet Policy/Net Neutrality

  • Tim Bielawa: famoe.ly - I wanted a practice set list, what I got was much more

  • Tim Bielawa: Simple Gals - A no-frills HTML image gallery generator

  • APNIC ☛ Who’s running all those tiny RPKI servers?

    Guest Post: Small RPKI publication servers comprise a quiet but important part of the Internet’s trust infrastructure. Understanding who operates these servers, and why, helps reveal both strengths and gaps in today’s routing security.

  • APNIC ☛ Strengthening capacity, relationships, and routing security in Thailand

    APNIC engaged with Thailand’s Internet community through local events that combined technical training and Member-focused discussions. The strong participation highlighted growing demand for practical capacity building and direct engagement on routing security and IPv6.

  • Internet Society ☛ The Need to Reimagine the WSIS Forum

    The 2026 WSIS Forum demonstrated the strength of a committed WSIS community, but it also exposed clear challenges. The task is to turn global commitments into meaningful progress.

• Monopolies/Monopsonies

  • JURIST ☛ 12 US states sue to block Paramount-Warner Bros merger under antitrust claims

    A coalition of 12 state attorneys general (AG) on Monday filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block Paramount’s proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. under antitrust concerns, threatening what would be the largest merger in the history of Hollywood.

  • Patents

    • JUVE ☛ Arlanxeo and Mitscherlich get Zeon battery binder patent monopoly revoked in Germany

      Zeon and Arlanxeo are two key players in the synthetic rubber market. The patent-in-suit, EP 3 800 714 and owned by Zeon, protects materials designed for use as binders in the cathodes of rechargeable batteries.

    • Unified Patents ☛ $2,000 for Mila image processing patent monopoly prior art

      Unified Patents added a new PATROLL contest, with a $2,000 cash prize, seeking prior art on at least claim 1 of U.S. Patent 7,924,296, owned and asserted by Mila US Inc., an NPE. The '296 patent monopoly relates to a hardware image-processing/display system that combines multiple image streams with low memory use, low power, and low latency.

    • Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Fast to Deny, Slow to Grant: The Range of Motion En Banc Petition at 102 Days

      At 102 days pending, the Range of Motion design patent monopoly en banc petition has passed the Federal Circuit's median time to grant. Reading the clock.

    • Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Still a Lawyer, Not a Practitioner: Schindler v. Squires and the Reach of Practice Before the Office

      A pro se patent monopoly attorney asks the Federal Circuit to undo his two-year USPTO suspension for helping an excluded practitioner keep practicing.

    • Unified Patents ☛ AutoConnect Holdings vehicle network patent monopoly challenge granted

      On July 13, 2026, two months after Unified filed an ex parte reexamination, the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) granted Unified’s request, finding substantial new questions of patentability on all challenged claims of U.S. Patent 9,290,153, owned and asserted by AutoConnect Holdings LLC, an NPE.

    • JUVE ☛ Court of Appeal grants FujiFilm an injunction against Kodak after all

      In October 2023, FujiFilm had brought a claim against Kodak before the Unified Patent Court, citing three patents. At the heart of the claims were Kodak’s Sonora X, Sonora Xtra-2 and Sonora Xtra-3 offset printing plates. FujiFilm focused in particular on the surface of the printing plates, as these allegedly infringe its patents.

  • Copyrights

    • Digital Music News ☛ Judge Tosses Epidemic Sound’s Newer Meta Lawsuit, Rules on Older Case’s Dueling Summary Judgment Motions Amid Marathon Infringement Dispute

      After years of back-and-forth litigation, a federal judge has officially ruled on dueling summary judgment motions – and dismissed one complaint altogether – in the ugly Epidemic Sound v. Meta showdown. Technically, Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley resolved the summary judgment questions closer to June’s end.

    • Digital Music News ☛ Anthropic Just Pissed Off the Wrong Music Industry Power Attorney

      Anthropic is currently embroiled in multiple lawsuits against major music publishers, with billions of dollars at stake.

    • Public Domain Review ☛ Archie G. Norcross’ Maine Forest Fire Maps (1918–22)

      Circular maps custom-made for the fire towers that once dotted the American wilderness.

    • Digital Music News ☛ Nicki Minaj Accused of Ghosting Law Firm on $230,000 Bill After Contentious Copyright Lawsuit

      Nicki Minaj faces yet another legal battle over her unpaid debts—this time from a law firm that claims the rapper is ghosting them over the $230,000 she owes them.