RSnake Report 20250727

Hello, and thanks for reading! Been a really nice, warm summer so far. We’ll have a big announcement coming this coming week, but for now, we’re just getting ready for Blackhat. For those who are unaware I am on the CISO advisory board, but also on the Innovator and Investor summit board, and the Cyber Insurance Summit board. Busy times!

In Russia/Ukraine news, Ukrainian forces have been relentlessly launching kamikaze drone attacks on Russian territory, including Moscow. This tactic serves multiple purposes: it aims to overload Russian air defense systems, expose vulnerabilities, and establish safe corridors for future major strikes. Said another way, the Ukrainians are mapping out the battlefield and pinpointing the most effective missile routes, setting the stage for an escalation.

Russia, for its part, is gearing up for a massive offensive, amassing a stockpile of 160,000 drones. For context, the Russians are planning to launch something like 78k drones in 2025, so this is double the stockpile. Russia is preparing to launch a massive drone attack on Ukraine, with plans to send up to 2,000 drones in a single night. Ukraine's need for additional low-cost air defense systems is now becoming increasingly apparent. Either way, this points towards a new big offensive on both sides that has not started yet.

Ukrainian drones have struck a railway station in Novocherkassk, located in Russia's Rostov region. In recent days, Ukraine has hit a thermal power plant supplying electricity to southern Russian railways, a railway bridge, and now a southern Russian railway marshaling yard. It makes a lot of sense given how dependent the Russians are to rail for commerce and their military.

Ukrainian drones have targeted the Signal defense plant in Stavropol, a critical facility within Russia's military-industrial complex. The plant is responsible for producing radio-electronic equipment used in combat aircraft, air defense systems, and electronic warfare systems.

A Russian oil depot in Adler came under a drone attack. As we saw a lot in 2024, the Russian economy depends heavily on oil, but it is generally rebuilding fairly quickly, so the Ukrainians have to keep pressure on various different oil transport and oil storage facilities if they want to keep the economic stress on the Kremlin.

Germany has committed to providing Ukraine with five Patriot air defense systems. This should greatly reduce the likelihood of volleys of drones making their way through. However, this doesn’t have a limitless supply of missiles, so it’s safe to say that saturation drone attacks will likely still have effect on target, no matter how good these systems are. Each Patriot battery typically consists of a command post, radar, six to eight launchers, and support vehicles.

An interesting post I saw was from secretsqrl123: To paraphrase, Russia initially invaded Ukraine with approximately 700k troops, later bolstered by 300k conscripts, 100k+ volunteers from various regions, 200k from the Russian Guard, 300k from Storm Z, 100k from private military companies, 30k from North Korea, and 20k from overseas. With an additional 30k+ troops added monthly, Russia's total force approaches three million by those numbers. However, it is estimated that only 700k to 800k troops are currently on the front lines, leaving the whereabouts of the remaining two million troops a mystery. Naysayers will say it’s more like one million missing troops, and that is accounted for in the loss data. But if he’s right, that will have a massive impact on the general population of Russia, losing that many working-aged men, but it’s hard to know for certain.

President Zelenskyy and European officials have accused China of ceasing exports of drone components to Ukraine while ramping up supplies to Russia. According to Bloomberg, Chinese firms now account for 92% of all foreign-sourced components found in Russian attack drones. That isn’t at all surprising given the ties with the Russians. Obviously China’s CUAV lied when it said it would restrict drone sales to both Ukraine and Russia in an attempt to appear neutral. Go figure. A Chinese company lying?! Shocker. 😆 

Ukrainian forces have developed an experimental ground drone equipped with two grenade launchers. What I am starting to realize is that the advantage over these systems is a complete lack of safety. Think about the weight and complexity of a tank, which is mostly designed to haul a gun with a sufficient range, to keep the crew from danger, and the armor to protect the occupants. If you can get rid of the occupants, all you add is the remote command and control system, which is super lightweight by comparison. Similar lethality, with no danger to the people operating it. I guess it should be obvious but I guess I spend more time thinking about aerial drones, as opposed to ground-based drones.

Speaking of, Ukrainian drones have been dropping improvised incendiary munitions on Russian buildings. By the looks of it, this is very effective at taking down structures. During World War II's combined bomber offensive, incendiary bombs were found to be five times more effective than high-explosive bombs, mass for mass. However, the military focus on and celebration of metrics related to tonnage delivered rather than the effects of the bombs led to suboptimal results and current doctrine. As we move back towards cost-of-lethality as the primary metric, I think we are seeing that incendiary weapons have a huge impact. Just wait a few months until it’s fall again, and the leaves are dry. We should see a lot more fire from the sky.

As the conflict progresses, there is growing speculation about the potential development of water-based drones. There are suggestions that small submersibles and semi-submersibles equipped with GPS/FPV guidance, AI targeting, and solar charging could be deployed to loiter undetected in lanes for weeks. Alternatively, "pop-up bobber torpedoes" that can maneuver into position, submerge, and then rapidly surface when needed could be used. I think Russia agrees. They’ve been testing their own kamikaze naval drone during the July Storm naval exercises in the Baltic Sea. The power of this thing could likely sink most modern ships with one hit.

Ukrainian drones equipped with a five-round magazines are being mass produced. These look fully productized and no longer something that looks thrown together. They seem to have very well thought-out mechanics with spring-loaded catches, etc. So small-scale carpet bombing is the new hotness. It makes sense given the fact that small platoons might require more than one hit, on any one soldier, and re-arming isn’t the best option when you can simply drop another tiny bomb and eliminate that specific threat. Here is another version of the same that uses VOG-17 grenades. Six bomblets compared to two is meaningful.

Russian forces have reported the use of a new Ukrainian pulse electronic warfare jamming UAV during a recent drone strike on Sochi. Pulse jammers emit brief, intense bursts of energy to disrupt radar and communications systems. We have also, on the flip side, seen massive outages of GPS across western Russia, likely to limit the use of GPS as a means of drone targeting.

Ukrainian forces have unveiled a new fiber optic winged FPV drone with an impressive range of 50km. This is the longest fiber optic drone range I’ve seen thus far, which is a mix of the airframe and the improvements to the fiber optic deployment mechanisms and length of the spooling. A lot has to go right for a 50km flight to go off without any breakage of the fiber optic, but clearly they are robust enough now and they manage to avoid areas where vehicles are operating to keep those cables intact long enough to reach their targets.

Russia has invoked martial law to expand the powers of the FSB, allowing them to monitor Russian ports and maritime trade. According to a decree signed by Putin on July 21, foreign ships will only be permitted to enter Russian ports with FSB approval. This is almost certainly meant to stop import and export of weapons through it’s borders for use against Russia, but it will also further hurt their economy in the process.

In European news, the United Kingdom is developing a sixth-generation stealth fighter jet called Tempest, which will be capable of striking deep into Russian territory from NATO bases. In partnership with Japan and Italy, the Tempest will feature large internal fuel tanks, advanced weaponry, and onboard systems designed for long-range strike missions. This is almost certainly meant to target Russian cities, and it is impressive that it is an all-UK-based design and build. No word on when this thing will see the skies yet.

In South East Asia news, China's economic downturn has led to a visible increase in homelessness, even in top-tier and largely western cities like Shenzhen. The sight of homeless people on the streets of a city known for its prosperity and growth highlights the severity of China's economic challenges. The Chinese government really wants to downplay this as very rare, but the more I read up on it, the more I believe that it is extremely rampant. Not that the regime can’t clean it up - they do have concentration camps after all. But for whatever reason, they have chosen to ignore and downplay the crushing economics. This is largely due to a reduction in exports, tariffs, and a general crushing real estate market. You can look at the video to see that this isn’t at all isolated to one area.

China has unveiled the GDF-600, a hypersonic glide vehicle capable of flying at Mach 7 with a 1,200 kg payload and a range of 600 km. What makes this weapon particularly alarming is its ability to release a cluster of guided submunitions mid-flight, making interception far more difficult. This is almost certainly meant to be aimed at US and Taiwanese air bases and other surface stationary targets.

Clashes along the border between Cambodia and Thailand have intensified, with the Royal Cambodian Army resuming cross-border artillery and rocket fire against civilian areas in Thailand, including a hospital. Several homes were damaged in the Village of Ban Phon Thong, Northeastern Thailand, with limited casualties thus far.

The Royal Cambodian Air Force's full inventory is a whopping 25 aircraft, 21 of which are helicopters, so it is very vulnerable to attack from the air compared to the Thai air force, which has hundreds of helicopters, combat aircraft, and others. On a pure stats basis, Cambodia seems outmatched, but it has been on a tear to harden their positions, mining the battlefield and making moving over the border dangerous for Thai ground operations.

What I found really disturbing is that we are seeing tactics from the Thai that are very reminiscent of the Russian/Ukraine war. I spotted a video of a drone targeting a Cambodian military weapons depot in the Phu Makhuea area of Sisaket Province. The idea that drones will be limited to that conflict, or maybe there and the Middle East, is a fantasy. It’s going to be used in every conflict going forward where both adversaries are within range of said drones or drone-carriers. I would be completely unsurprised if nation states were pre-positioning drone swarms in other countries just in case.

The Royal Cambodian Army has been using civilian areas to launch attacks against Thailand, with a BM-21 "Grad" Multiple-Launch Rocket System (MLRS) seen firing from inside a village and next to a busy road and residential homes.

Partially, I get the point of doing this. You want to “shoot and scoot” and not be in obvious places to accept return fire, but hiding amongst your own population is inviting a lot of civilian casualties. This is a tactic we’ve seen used by Hamas, as is the targeting of civilian centers.

If you want to know a blow-by-blow analysis of escalatory events along the Cambodia-Thailand border, look here. It reveals that Cambodia has initiated approximately 33 escalatory events, while Thailand has initiated 14. There have been nine joint de-escalatory events. Prior to May 28th, the tally was 10 to 3 to 5, respectively. This data suggests that Cambodia has been the primary instigator of the recent escalation, although Thailand has also contributed to the rising tensions, from what I gathered.

In North American news, the United States has unveiled its new drone, called LUCAS, which bears a striking resemblance to the Iranian-made Shahed Geran-2 drone. The development of this drone suggests that the U.S. is seeking to counter the growing threat posed by these types of unmanned aerial vehicles, which have been used by Russia and other actors in various conflicts. Shaheds are low-cost, slow-moving, lightweight one-way drones, and are offensive in use only. The similarities are a little too close to be an accident. I realize aerodynamics is a fixed science, but still.

The Federal Reserve has become a potential target for the White House, Secretary Scott Bessent calling for an examination of the institution's effectiveness. Bessent questioned the value of the Federal Reserve's Ph.D. economists, suggesting that the institution has become a form of "Universal Basic Income for academic economists." 😆 Ouch.

A New York man named Michael Gann has been charged with constructing and planting homemade bombs across Manhattan, including on subway tracks and residential rooftops. Gann, 55, allegedly made at least seven IEDs using chemicals purchased online, putting countless lives at risk. One device was thrown onto the Williamsburg Bridge subway tracks, while others were found above apartment buildings. If convicted, Gann faces up to 40 years in prison. The New York bomber, Michael Gann, was an extremely disturbed homeless man with a wide range of political and religious opinions, including Muslim, but also he was clearly a degenerate gambler. He also got escorted off of an airplane once. This was clearly a very troubled guy.

The U.S. government has released 230,000 files related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., against the family’s wishes, shedding new light on the FBI's investigation and the events surrounding his death. The documents include details about potential leads, internal FBI memos, and information about James Earl Ray's former cellmate, who claimed that Ray discussed an alleged assassination plot. As people begin to read through the newly released MLK files, some have reported finding disturbing allegations, including claims of rape by members of King's party in his presence. Of course, the FBI had a lot of reasons to come after him or maybe even lie outright, but some of this seems extremely easy to corroborate, like his group running naked through the hallway of hotels, and so on.

In Tech news, Newsweek has been using ChatGPT as a source in its reporting, treating the AI as a witness of some kind. When I say things like “Journalism is dead,” this is what I mean. Journalists aren’t even trying anymore. The integrity they may have once had is all but gone. Of course, there are a few good journalists left, just like there are a few good microfiche experts left, but… again, it’s a dead profession, a shadow of what it once was. Civilian journalism on the other hand is alive and well.

An AI coding platform went rogue during a code freeze and deleted an entire company database, leading to a catastrophic loss of data. The CEO of Replit apologized for the incident, which occurred when the AI engine made a "catastrophic error in judgment" and destroyed all production data. To which I say, well, yeah, of course it did. It’s dumb and you gave it full access to everything. Without human intervention, you get what you get.

A hacker planted computer-wiping commands in Amazon's AI coding agent, although the attempt was unsuccessful. This incident highlights the vulnerabilities in supply chains and the potential for malicious actors to exploit AI systems. The attempt to insert wiping commands is reminiscent of previous incidents, such as the “peace-not-war” malware inserted into node-ipc in 2022. Supply chains with AI are especially dangerous because AI companies are loath to show their work.

A 3D-printed select-fire integrally suppressed bullpup rifle called the Urutau is ready for release. The rifle, designed by @romanov13649, features a built-in suppressor and a ball detent system that eliminates bounce and reduces the fire rate a bit so that you can maintain control without it feeling like a runaway trigger. This is basically a military-class weapon that can be printed in your home and appears rugged enough to handle regular/sustained use. It’s a big advancement.

The Tea app, a dating app targeted at women, has been hacked, resulting in the leak of 13,000 women's photos and IDs via a public Firebase storage bucket. The hack, which allowed anyone to download 59.3 gigabytes of user selfies, IDs, and geo IP data, was confirmed by a user who found their own picture in the leaked data. Of course, the Internet loves this kind of thing, because a bunch of women talking badly about men gets turned around, and now the Internet can talk badly about the women. I fully expect lawsuits to follow against them, but also defamation against the women who were slandering/defaming the men. What a mess!

This was related to an unprotected firebase storage bucket. The company really floundered with the implementation. And of course the ubiquitous memes…

In the wake of the UK's Online Safety Act coming into effect, signups for Proton VPN originating in the UK surged by more than 1,400%. Unlike previous surges, this one has been sustained and is significantly higher than when France lost access to adult content. Be very careful when using VPNs because many of them are controlled by and/or monitored by foreign governments, not that I think that will stop the “gooners” out there. 🤣 

Briefly, in Economic news President Trump has signed a new executive order that ends federal funding for cities that allow tent cities, effectively dismantling housing-first policies that lack accountability. I know a lot of people will welcome cleaner streets, which will lower crime and increase commerce and property value. Of course, states will rebel, and with it, so too will go their federal funding.

Okay, onto the articles!

The World Health Organization estimates that Palestinians in Gaza get between 2-9 litres of water per day, while Israelis enjoy 247 litres per day.

• The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has led to a severe water crisis in Gaza, with the destruction of water infrastructure making it difficult for Palestinians to access clean water, leading to deaths and illnesses.

• The Israeli military has targeted water-related materials, workers, and even the sea, which was previously used for fishing and relief from heat.

[RSnake: Leave it to Al Jazeera to say that people have a sufficient amount of water without saying it. Yes, it’s less than they’d like, but the average person needs around 2 liters per day.]

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/7/26/in-gaza-water-kills-too?traffic_source=rss

Russia is escalating its drone warfare capabilities against Ukraine, with projections indicating an increase of up to 78,000 drone strikes in 2025, a staggering rise from previous years. Ukraine faces critical challenges in its air defense as Russian drones and missiles continue to penetrate its defenses, leading to substantial destruction and casualties, with a projected damage bill exceeding $524 billion. The conflict's dynamics are shifting as Ukraine ramps up domestic production of weapons, including drones and missiles, to counter the ongoing Russian offensive.

• Russia's drone production capacity is set to dramatically increase, impacting Ukraine's air defense strategy.

• The conflict results in vast infrastructure damage in Ukraine, with severe economic implications.

• Ukraine is enhancing its military capabilities through domestic production to meet escalating threats.

[RSnake: With 160k drones to operate from.]

Source: https://euromaidanpress.com/?p=351486

NATO's new commander in Europe, General Alexis Grinkevich, has arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian military leaders as the war with Russia escalates. Ukraine is receiving additional Patriot air defense systems from NATO allies amidst increased attacks from Russian forces, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties. The U.S. is spearheading aid efforts to supply weapons and military equipment to Ukraine while European partners contribute financially.

• NATO's commander in Europe discusses military strategy with Ukraine amid intensified conflict.

• Ukraine receives new air defense systems to combat increased Russian missile strikes.

[RSnake: 5 batteries is a lot, and will likely be used both to protect Kyiv and also the front.]

Source: https://euromaidanpress.com/?p=351466

Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna suffered neck injuries, fractures, and signs of torture in Russian captivity, with a new autopsy revealing additional injuries not previously reported.

• Victoria Roshchyna was a Ukrainian journalist who died in Russian captivity and her body showed signs of torture and missing vital organs.

• A new forensic examination has uncovered additional injuries not previously reported, including neck trauma, bone fractures, hemorrhages, and abrasions.

[RSnake: We already knew this was likely to be the case, but here is more info on it. To put it short, Russia tortures its captives. So why on earth would Ukraine surrender. I’ve always thought torture was short-sighted for exactly this reason.]

Source: https://euromaidanpress.com/?p=351310

Thailand and Cambodia are experiencing violent clashes along their border, primarily motivated by the deteriorating personal relationship between their leaders, Thaksin Shinawatra and Hun Sen, which has resulted in armed conflict. Analysts express concerns that this conflict could escalate further, complicating the political landscape in both countries as each side seeks to leverage the situation for its own legitimacy.

• Armed conflict has erupted along the Thailand-Cambodia border due to a significant fallout between political leaders.

• The violence marks the most severe clashes in over a decade, prompting fears of escalating tensions.

[RSnake: I’ve heard worse reasons for a conflict, but not many. Largely, I think they just don’t believe that each other is going to stay on their side, so it’s mutual distrust rather than any actual beef. However now there are casualties on both side, so things are likely to escalate.]

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/behind-deadly-clashes-a-bitter-spat-between-2-dynastic-leaders/articleshow/122927452.cms

The United Kingdom and European Union have intensified sanctions against Russia's oil trade by freezing over 100 tankers linked to its shadow fleet, which has been evading price cap violations. These new restrictions extend to any UK-based companies, prohibiting interactions with these vessels and further constraining Russia's war economy, leading to a financial crisis as alternatives for oil export become riskier and more expensive to implement.

• UK and EU sanctions target Russia's shadow fleet, freezing tankers and prohibiting UK firms from interacting with them.

• Increased scrutiny and enhanced penalties are aimed at undermining the legal and logistical foundations aiding Russian oil exports.

[RSnake: That’ll hurt, but this kind of pain is a slow pain that won’t really see an economic effect for months or longer.]

Source: https://euromaidanpress.com/?p=351613

Japan is significantly enhancing its military capabilities in response to rising threats from China, North Korea, and Russia, as outlined in its recent defense white paper. The Japanese government plans to increase its defense budget and develop advanced military assets, including aircraft carriers and next-generation fighter jets, to counterbalance the perceived military imbalance in the region. Tensions are escalating as China's military activities amplify, necessitating strengthened alliances with the United States and regional partners.

• Japan is increasing its defense budget to 2% of GDP by 2027 to address regional security threats.

• China's military expansion and activities in the South China Sea and surrounding areas are contributing to heightened tensions in East Asia.

• The U.S.-Japan alliance is seen as crucial for deterring potential threats from China and North Korea.

[RSnake: It’s weird to be wanting countries like Japan and Germany to arm themselves, given their past, but… here we are. We cannot be the world police anymore.]

Source: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/?p=248793

Newly released footage reveals that several U.S.-made weapon systems played a central role in Qatar’s recent interception operation against Iranian-launched missiles during last month’s attack.

• Qatar received intelligence that the interests of the United States were being targeted in the region and made a request to close its airspace.

• Four main systems made by American manufacturers were part of Qatar’s military response: F-15 fighter jets, Apache helicopters, Patriot air defense systems, and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile systems.

[RSnake: Not surprising. We have been designing our systems to counter Iran and Russia for decades.]

Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2025/07/25/qatar-used-layers-of-us-weapons-to-counter-iranian-missiles/

A New Zealand-based company, Aspiring Minerals, is operating a pilot plant to process olivine into battery materials, specifically nickel-manganese-cobalt hydroxide essential for lithium-ion batteries. This development addresses potential supply chain issues related to critical minerals and aims to establish a more sustainable method for producing battery components without harmful waste. The project reflects an increasing global focus on diversifying sources of critical materials amidst concerns over supply monopolies and geopolitical instability.

• Aspiring Minerals is innovating by transforming olivine into nickel-manganese-cobalt hydroxide, a crucial component for lithium-ion batteries.

• This initiative aims to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities associated with critical minerals used in modern technology.

[RSnake: Cool - necessity is the mother of invention. In this case, replacements for rare earths will come fast if China continues to make access difficult.]

Source: https://spectrum.ieee.org/nmc-battery-aspiring-materials

Ukrainian cyber forces conducted an operation against Russian control systems in Crimea, ultimately stealing 100 terabytes of classified data and crippling the digital infrastructure of the occupation administration. This cyberattack has led to widespread chaos and panic in Crimea, as Russian forces continue to fortify their positions in occupied Ukrainian regions.

• Ukrainian cyber warriors executed a covert operation that destabilized Russian administrative networks in Crimea.

• The operation resulted in the theft of sensitive military data and the destruction of critical systems used by Russian authorities.

[RSnake: I would raise this to be a candidate for hybrid warfare right there. Does hacking lead to classified documents that increase war-fighting efforts? Yep.]

Source: https://euromaidanpress.com/?p=351464

A California water utility experienced over 6 million connection attempts from China-based addresses within a week, signaling potential threats to U.S. critical infrastructure. Cybersecurity experts warn that these continuous scans for vulnerabilities target essential services, emphasizing the need for better security measures in utility networks. U.S. intelligence identifies China as a major cyber threat, with state-backed hackers keen on exploiting weaknesses in infrastructure systems.

• California water utility blocked 6 million connection attempts from China in one week.

• U.S. intelligence considers China a top cyber threat, particularly to critical infrastructure.

• Cybersecurity experts stress the vulnerability of water systems to potential cyberattacks.

[RSnake: Unfortunately, they are not even close to being the only one, it’s just that most people aren’t monitoring it.]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/single-us-water-utility-receives-6-million-china-based-connection-attempts-1-week

The Trump administration has proposed slashing the National Science Foundation budget by more than half, which could lead to a reduction in gravitational wave astronomy detections, potentially losing the US leadership position in this area.

• If one LIGO detector is forced to shut down, the US will detect only 10 to 20 percent of expected gravitational wave events, leading to a significant loss of scientific discoveries and potentially missing groundbreaking breakthroughs.

• The proposed budget cut could also terminate US support for European-led space-based gravitational wave missions and cancel the next-generation gravitational wave detector project, further jeopardizing US leadership in this area.

[RSnake: Just so you know, LIGO is useful well beyond its stated use. It allows gravitational anomalies to be detected in distant galaxies, but it also must filter out local gravitational anomalies, such as shifts in the Earth’s gravity, such as when we see things like whales moving through the water… or… nuclear subs.]

Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/gravitational-wave-science-faces-budget-cuts-just-years-after-breakthrough/

Automated mobile robots pose cybersecurity risks due to their integration of computation, networking, and physical processes, making them vulnerable to threats such as rogue access points, man-in-the-middle attacks, and IoT exploits. To mitigate these risks, organizations must implement security measures at every phase of use and view AMRs as both digital endpoints and physical agents.

• AMRs integrate computation, networking, and physical processes, making them vulnerable to threats such as rogue access points, man-in-the-middle attacks, and IoT exploits.

• Organizations must implement security measures at every phase of use and view AMRs as both digital endpoints and physical agents to mitigate these risks.

[RSnake: Sure, and not to mention that they are controlled by software we don’t have access to, on hardware that comes from stated adversarial countries, and has real-time connections to the same to do updates.]

Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91374571/automated-mobile-robots-are-a-cybersecurity-risk

Iran is pushing through a controversial cyber censorship bill that critics argue will significantly limit freedom of expression and enable the government to target dissent. This comes in the wake of a recent conflict with Israel, during which thousands were arrested, and the legislation includes harsh penalties for disseminating information deemed false, creating fears of severe repercussions for journalists and citizens alike.

• Iran's government is fast-tracking a cyber censorship bill criticized for threatening free speech.

• The bill includes severe penalties for spreading misinformation, raising fears of repression against dissent.

[RSnake: Authoritarian regimes know how to limit their population’s access to all kinds of things. It generally does not end well for their people, but also for them.]

Source: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202507247012

A data breach has occurred at Allianz Life, with hackers stealing personal information of a majority of its 1.4 million customers in North America. The breach was facilitated through a social engineering technique that compromised a third-party cloud-based system, prompting Allianz to notify the FBI and take immediate action to contain the incident.

• Hackers stole personal information from Allianz Life's customer database.

• The breach was due to a social engineering attack on a third-party CRM system.

[RSnake: That’s a pretty big breach and of a lot of data that will likely be used for all kinds of other attacks in the future.]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd6nyng861wo

Dating safety app Tea experienced a data breach that resulted in the exposure of 72,000 user images, including selfies and photo IDs. The company reported that the breach affected only users who signed up before February 2024, and no emails or phone numbers were compromised. Tea is currently working with cybersecurity experts to enhance security measures and address the issue.

• A data breach exposed 72,000 images from the dating safety app Tea.

• Tea is implementing security measures and working with cybersecurity experts following the breach.

[RSnake: The company is likely not correct about that because a lot of the data is from 2025, according to the hackers I saw posting about it.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=3031447

A new ransomware group named Chaos has emerged following the takedown of the previous BlackSuit group by international law enforcement. Chaos has been conducting targeted attacks primarily in the US and demanding substantial ransoms, while utilizing similar techniques and tools as its predecessor, BlackSuit.

• Chaos is likely operated by members from the former BlackSuit group.

• The group engages in 'big-game hunting,' targeting organizations for large ransom payments.

[RSnake: That means the attacks likely require human intervention and cannot scale, so they must go after larger companies to keep their margins high enough.]

Source: https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/07/after-blacksuit-is-taken-down-new-ransomware-group-chaos-emerges/

The growing use of solid-state drives (SSDs) over traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) is reshaping data storage solutions due to declining SSD prices and their superior speed. The implementation of Logical Volume Management (LVM) for caching HDDs on SSDs offers a reliable method for handling large data sets while optimizing performance. This trend is encouraging users to explore hybrid storage configurations that accommodate both speed and storage capacity needs.

• The transition from HDDs to SSDs is accelerating as SSD prices drop and performance improves.

• LVM is being utilized to cache data on SSDs, enhancing data retrieval speeds even when using slower HDDs.

[RSnake: Tell that to my checkbook when I want to buy a new laptop. If you are using LLMs on your local computer, you know what I mean. It’s crazy expensive.]

Source: https://quantum5.ca/2025/05/11/fast-cheap-bulk-storage-using-lvm-to-cache-hdds-on-ssds/

Bosch Sensortec has introduced the BMV080, the world's smallest PM2.5 air quality sensor, which measures particulate matter levels in the air and aims to address indoor air pollution concerns. This new sensor can be integrated into various IoT devices, providing real-time, localized data to improve health and well-being by alerting users about poor air quality conditions.

• The BMV080 sensor measures PM2.5 levels accurately and can be used in ultra-compact IoT devices.

• Indoor air quality can be significantly poorer than outdoor air, and this sensor helps monitor and manage these conditions.

[RSnake: Cool, we may see these integrated into all sorts of wearables.]

Source: https://www.bosch-sensortec.com/news/worlds-smallest-particulate-matter-sensor-bmv080.html

OpenAI is set to release its advanced AI model, GPT-5, potentially by August. This model aims to combine capabilities from previous models and is currently undergoing final testing and security assessments.

• GPT-5 may integrate both large language model and simulated reasoning features.

• An open-weights model is also expected to be released before GPT-5, allowing broader access.

[RSnake: A lot of hooplah about it, but no verifiable tests that I’ve seen of what the final product will look like.]

Source: https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/07/openais-most-capable-ai-model-gpt-5-may-be-coming-in-august/

Modern web development is shifting away from client-side routing frameworks, such as single-page applications (SPAs), in favor of utilizing native browser capabilities for smoother navigation. Recent advancements in CSS and browser technologies allow for more efficient web experiences with fewer performance drawbacks, encouraging developers to reconsider their architectural choices.

• Native CSS transitions provide a more efficient way to manage page navigation without heavy JavaScript.

• Browsers are evolving to reward simpler, clean markup while reducing the reliance on complex frameworks.

[RSnake: I never liked SPAs, and guys like Jono Alderson (formerly of Yoast) hate them. They make automation/crawling much more difficult, and frankly, they make the application rather frail for no reason.]

Source: https://www.jonoalderson.com/conjecture/its-time-for-modern-css-to-kill-the-spa/

The release of specialized AI sub-agents in Claude Code facilitates improved context management and task-specific workflows, allowing for enhanced problem-solving through the delegation of tasks to AI assistants designed for specific purposes. These sub-agents operate independently in their own contexts, enabling focused interactions and customized configurations for various domains, ultimately supporting more efficient project management and collaboration.

• Claude Code introduces specialized AI sub agents for task-specific workflows.

• Sub agents operate independently, allowing for better context management and efficient problem-solving.

• Users can configure these sub-agents with specific tools and instructions tailored to their needs.

[RSnake: I did look at this a little bit and am tempted to try it for all sorts of little applications. Think of a sub-agent as a different employee. You have one employee who specializes in tax, another in accounting, another in your company’s financials and have them all working on the same thing at the same time, but using their specific talents and memory that they’ve been imbued with.]

Source: https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/sub-agents

Samsung has released its latest smartphone lineup for 2025, featuring the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy Z Fold7, and Galaxy Z Flip7. The devices boast improvements in camera technology, battery life, and software support, with extended update periods now spanning up to six years for certain models. Additionally, Samsung's connectivity options and artificial intelligence features have been enhanced, catering to a diverse range of consumer needs and preferences in the competitive smartphone market.

• Samsung's Galaxy S25 series and new foldable phones have improved specifications and features.

• The company promises extended software support for up to six years for many of its devices.

[RSnake: For the Android lovers out there. I am always tempted to go this route but until they move away from Android and run Ubuntu Touch, I’m not sold. And as a fair warning I bricked my last Ubuntu Touch so badly that it wouldn’t even let me re-install the boot loader. Yeah. Bad.]

Source: https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-samsung-phones/

Meta has appointed Shengjia Zhao, a former OpenAI researcher, as the Chief Scientist for its new AI unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs, to lead research efforts in AI models. The company aims to enhance its capabilities in AI reasoning models and has invested in significant cloud computing infrastructure to support these initiatives. This move positions Meta to potentially compete more effectively with industry leaders like OpenAI and Google.

• Meta has formed a new AI unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs, led by Shengjia Zhao, to focus on developing advanced AI models.

• The company has increased its investment in cloud infrastructure to support AI training efforts, enhancing its competitiveness in the AI sector.

[RSnake: The dollars these companies are throwing at these hires is fairly insane.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=3031358

The U.S. semiconductor industry is undergoing changes, with companies like Intel and Nvidia facing layoffs and the introduction of new chip export rules. Tensions are rising between the U.S. and China as export restrictions on AI chips are enforced, impacting international sales and partnerships in the technology sector.

• The U.S. semiconductor industry is shrinking, with major companies announcing layoffs and project cancellations.

• Export restrictions on AI chips are raising geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China, affecting technology trade.

[RSnake: Sure, except that China will get Nvidia chips again.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=3005295

Starlink, a satellite internet service with over six million users worldwide, experienced a two-and-a-half-hour international outage due to failure of internal software services. The disruption affected tens of thousands of users and prompted apologies from senior executives, including Elon Musk. This rare hiccup for SpaceX's commercially sensitive business has raised questions about the service's resilience.

• Starlink is a satellite internet service with over six million users worldwide.

• The outage was due to failure of internal software services that operate the core network.

[RSnake: That hurt a lot of things in a lot of places. But it also shows how we need to bake in resiliency into our network designs. Ideally, you should be able to unplug any two wires in any datacenter, and things should stay up. Resilient design is likely cheaper in the long run.]

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/25/elon-musk-sorry-after-starlink-satellite-internet-suffers-global?traffic_source=rss

Physicists have superheated gold to an astonishing temperature of 19,000 kelvins, defying a long-standing prediction about the temperature limits of solids and overturning 40 years of accepted physics.

• The researchers were able to disprove a long-standing prediction about the temperature limits of solids by superheating gold to an astonishing temperature.

• The extreme temperature of the gold cannot be explained by ionization and pressure effects alone, suggesting a genuinely new regime.

[RSnake: Interesting. I assumed Gold would turn into a vapor and be stripped apart into smaller atoms at those temps.]

Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/physicists-blast-gold-to-astonishing-temperatures-overturning-40-years-of/

The natural diamond industry is experiencing significant disruptions due to the rise in popularity of lab-grown diamonds, which offer consumers a more affordable and ethically sourced alternative. Sales of natural diamonds have dramatically declined, particularly affecting diamond mining operations in Canada, where layoffs and production halts are occurring as companies struggle to remain economically viable. The generational shift in consumer preferences is also evident, with younger buyers opting for lab-grown options that are seen as more aligned with their values and budgets.

• Lab-grown diamonds are becoming more popular than natural diamonds, leading to a decline in the traditional diamond mining sector.

• The increased demand for lab-grown diamonds has resulted in layoffs and suspensions of operations at diamond mines, particularly in Canada's Northwest Territories.

• Younger consumers prioritize affordability and ethical sourcing, impacting the sales of natural diamonds.

[RSnake: Diamonds really are not worth what people think they are due to the fact that they aren’t as rare as one might hope if they’re in that business, and companies go to great lengths to reduce supply.]

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/lab-grown-diamonds-1.7592336

General Motors has moved to second place in U.S. electric vehicle sales, trailing only Tesla, by significantly increasing its lineup of electric vehicles to 17 models. This shift is attributed to a focus on weekly product reviews led by Tesla veteran Jon McNeil, who now serves on GM's board, emphasizing the importance of direct engagement with actual products during development.

• GM has expanded its electric vehicle offerings significantly, now offering 17 models.

• Weekly product review meetings without slides, focusing on actual products, have been credited with driving innovation at both Tesla and GM.

[RSnake: Good for them!]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=3031373

A recall has been issued for over 600,000 Frigidaire mini-fridges due to internal electrical components that have short-circuited and ignited, causing $700,000 in property damage.

• Frigidaire mini-fridges are being recalled due to faulty electrical components that can cause fires.

• The affected units were sold at Walmart and other retail stores nationwide from January 2020 until December 2023.

[RSnake: Make sure you don’t have one!]

Source: https://gizmodo.com/?p=2000634819

Private equity firms have increasingly focused on short-term profits at the expense of long-term business sustainability, impacting workers, consumers, and the overall economy. This trend has led to significant challenges and repercussions in various industries.

• Private equity prioritizes profits over the long-term health of businesses.

• The focus on short-term gains affects workers and consumers significantly.

[RSnake: Them and the stock market writ large. It’s a real problem and drives profits over ethics or long-term strategy. It’s one of the drivers of the Innovator’s Dilemma.]

Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91375336/private-equity-has-ruined-so-many-more-businesses-than-you-realize

Health insurance premium hikes expected to be largest in 5 years, driven by increased healthcare costs and policy changes, with some insurers increasing rates by up to 75% due to expiration of enhanced tax credits.

• Increased healthcare costs and policy changes are driving up health insurance premiums for 2026.

• Some insurers expect to increase rates by up to 75% due to the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits.

[RSnake: Watch out for this. It’s a hidden cost for a lot of people, especially if you have to cover yourself in your own small business.]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/2026-health-insurance-premiums-could-see-largest-hike-5-years-report

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are engaged in advanced discussions for a merger that could create the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S., resulting in a 52,215-mile system. This merger might help streamline service by eliminating bottlenecks but faces potential regulatory hurdles and competition from other railroads. If successful, the combination could reshape transportation logistics across the country.

• A merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern could create significant changes in U.S. freight transportation.

• There are regulatory challenges that may prevent the merger from taking place.

• The merger could lead to job losses and a restructuring of logistical operations across multiple states.

[RSnake: Interesting. Rail needs a lot of TLC these days. It’s become more evident to me as I’ve watched Russia’s rail decline so fast and they are wholly dependent upon it working.]

Source: https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/a-union-pacific-norfolk-southern-combination-would-redraw-the-railroad-map/

Paramount Global is set to complete an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, following approval from the Trump administration and the FCC. This merger marks a change in the media landscape, concluding the influence of the Redstone family and raising scrutiny due to alleged political concessions made during the process.

• Paramount and Skydance's merger is valued at $8 billion and is expected to finalize on August 7.

• The merger follows a $16 million settlement with Trump, amid allegations of political influence on media companies.

[RSnake: I wonder how this merger will go now that South Park is showing deep fakes of Donald Trump’s genitals on TV. There’s a sentence I’d never thought I’d write.]

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/25/with-trump-go-ahead-skydance-and-paramount-to-complete-merger-in-august?traffic_source=rss