RSnake Report 20250531

Hello, and thanks for reading! I had some coworkers in town this week and enjoyed some great BBQ in the Texas sun. Not a bad way to spend your Saturday. I do feel old, though - I seriously needed a nap after all that. Lol

The Ukraine/Russia news Ukraine has hit a new milestone as they can now deploy Taurus missiles deep into Russia, according to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, effectively eliminating range restrictions on their strikes using all Western weaponry. Eagle eye readers might go, “But RSnake, I was assured Russia said it would treat this as if NATO itself was entering the war.” Mhmm… yep. Russia says a lot of things. If there was going to be a major escalation from Russia, this should trigger it. I won’t hold my breath. They don’t want nuclear war either, and if they drop a nuke on Berlin, that would be the end of Russia.

Ukraine announced a relatively cheap Sky Sentinel, an autonomous AI-driven turret equipped with a Browning M2 heavy machine gun. It boasts 360-degree targeting capabilities and is specifically focused on aerial threats, able to track and fire on objects traveling at speeds of up to 800 km/h. Priced at approximately $150,000 each, it makes them cheap enough that we could see them purchased and deployed en masse to protect the front from low-flying systems, or even deployed strategically around cities.

I saw a nice video of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mothership capable of deploying guided FPV munitions or missiles. The AI-enabled, and therefore non-jammable, drone that carries two FPV strike drones, autonomously identifying and engaging targets and only releasing them if it deems that it has a stable connection to the target, presumably. The technology costs about $10,000 per mission and delivers incredibly precise munitions onto the target.

A factory in Saint Petersburg belonging to Avangard, a defense contractor known for producing components crucial to Russian air defense systems, erupted in flames, adding yet another wrinkle to the ongoing operational challenges faced by the Russian military. See the report here. There have been some actions against juicy targets deep into Russia. For instance, the Neryungrinskaya coal enrichment plant, one of the country’s largest coal processing plants, experienced a catastrophic explosion. I would be unsurprised if this were drone-related, but at the moment, the Ukrainians haven’t specifically said they were at fault.

Footage showed Ukrainian long-range drones striking the Kronshtadt Production and Dubna Machine-Building Plant, a key facility located north of Moscow. This particular complex is notorious for producing long-range cruise missiles aimed at Ukraine, making these strikes particularly significant. Details are here, and more here.

A munitions arsenal of the 35th Army located 6,000 kilometers away from the front line also erupted in flames. This is beyond the range of the German Taurus missile, so this attack likely had to have occurred from within the border or something from the Pacific, like a sea-born attack. This seems more likely to me because the Amur Oblast is only a few hundred miles from the east coast. It also means that virtually the entirety of the populated regions of Russia is in range. It also means that if Russia wants to protect assets on the east coast, they will have to diversify their already very thin anti-air support.

Meanwhile, a drone assault on Moscow targeted a major drone manufacturing facility, prompting flight disruptions for hours at nearby airports. This might have been part of why we saw a big drawdown of the Russian government from Moscow. I am feeling like they knew that this attack was incoming, and they know they can’t do much to stop Ukraine from attacking their capital, at will. Imagine being a nuclear power and being completely unable to stop attacks on your capital.

One of the largest defense contractors in Russia, Avangard, which builds anti-air defense systems, was also hit. This company produces hypersonic glide vehicles that are used for multiple reentry vehicles (MIRV) within nuclear missiles. That is a lot of very strategic targets being destroyed, each of them potentially pushing back Russia in key areas by months at least, and it is happening not just in one city. In this case, it was Saint Petersburg. As far as I can tell, Ukraine can hit virtually any target it wants now, if it is willing to lose some missiles/drones in the process of hitting it. I am not saying there is no air defense in Russia, but clearl,y Ukraine has enough munitions that it doesn’t seem to matter.

In fact, it looks like Ukraine has shifted away from howitzer shell production to FPV production to some degree, producing 2x the number of munitions. That’s a big delta from where it has been. And who would blame them when they gain such deadly precision?

To be fair, the Russians are making investments in air defense, though. For instance, I spotted this rather surprising video that Russia put out using Chinese-made air defense that uses a low-cost laser. This is similar to Israel’s Iron Beam tech, it looks like, but similarly, it only works line of sight, and therefore has pretty limited use. The difference is that Israel has some terrain to put their tech atop or can invest in towers, but between Russia and Ukraine, it is largely flat, and towers would become quick targets. I am a little surprised the Chinese were willing to part with this tech, given that they may need all the air defense they can get their hands on if they do invade Taiwan. Maybe they wanted it field-tested and were willing to let some Russians try it out before they bet their regime on it. Why Russia put this video out though, I will never know!

Rail traffic in Russia is on a downward spiral. Gazprom is slashing cargo volumes, resulting in a staggering $408 million cut in investment plans for Russian Railways for 2025. Freight volumes plummeted 6.8% early this year, building on a 15-year low from 2024. Exports to China are also stumbling due to bottlenecks in the eastern network, signaling that even while sanctions linger and interest rates soar. That is not a good sign for their long-term economic outlook. The question is what does Russia think it can do to improve its situation other than slow attrition on both sides?

The entire GDP of Russia is only 2 trillion (though adjusted, it is more like 1.5 trillion), so a half-billion-dollar hit is meaningful, not to mention this is only one company in one industry. Not to be reactionary here, but that’s not good and says that sanctions may be finally working to some degree and that the wartime economy isn’t as good as it seems, given that somewhere around 50% of their GDP is military.

Lastly, in what could be the most extensive intelligence breach to date, European journalists have obtained a staggering cache of 2 million secret documents, revealing details about Russia’s strategic nuclear facilities. This data dump provides insight into the vulnerabilities of bases housing nuclear missiles, possibly forcing Russia to overhaul its nuclear infrastructure at astronomical costs. Either way, this is enough intel that could drive Ukrainian airstrikes and military experts for a decade.

In the European news, the French Army is stepping up its drone game with mobile 3D printing labs capable of fabricating a staggering ten drones every three hours. This can be placed close to front-line troops, providing them with, by that math, 80 drones… per day! And this is the worst this tech will ever be. Imagine a more well-refined lab that can produce them at 10x the rate, which I think is totally doable. We’d see a flood of these things, swarms of them on the battlefield. It’s already pretty bad, but things are about to get way worse once people realize that ultra-fast fabrication of ultra-cheap AI-enabled drones will be the winning combo.

Shifting gears to Southeast Asia, two Japanese Coast Guard vessels, the JCG Muzuki and JCG Nobaru, rammed a Chinese Maritime Militia boat that had illegally hoisted a Chinese flag over Japan's Uotsuri Island. This incident and the photo they managed to get are a microcosm of the escalating tensions in the region, proving that China’s assertiveness on the high seas is finally being met with firm resistance. Of course, China will let this group hang, and it means nothing to them to test Japan’s defenses.

Meanwhile, disaster struck in China with a massive explosion at the Shandong Youdao Chemical plant in Gaomi city. Reports indicate that at least five people are dead, with an additional 19 injured and six missing. This factory, known for manufacturing Chlorpyrifos, a neurotoxic organophosphate insecticide, has thrown a stark reminder of the industrial hazards impacting safety in the region.

A private Chinese aerospace company, Sepoch, successfully tested a reusable rocket that challenges the likes of SpaceX. The rocket ascended to an altitude of 2.5 km before executing a gentle water landing, showing a monumental shift in the commercial space sector. But will they have a CEO as spicy as Elon?! 😜 

In the Middle East, the UAE defense contractor Halcon has unveiled the Skyknight S-NMS, a formidable piece of technology designed to be quad-packed into Mk41 and SYLVER vertical launch systems. These look small and cheap enough that they could offer quite a bit of defensive capabilities for naval vessels and shipyards.

In Gaza, a new food aid program is generating some much-needed hope. The crowd's enthusiasm is palpable as people gather to participate in this newly minted system that has already delivered 1.5M- 1.6M meals to people. Registration involving biometric identification is designed to ensure that aid delivery bypasses any interference from Hamas. It is pretty amazing how much the random people end up shit-talking Hamas. Its clear sentiment is changing a bit for the tired and hungry Palestinian citizens. If only protesters on American campuses could hear them.

The fourth and final Houthi aircraft is reportedly in need of some light repairs, to put it mildly. following Israeli strikes on Sanaa Airport. This is surely in response to the missiles that the Houthis continue to fire into Israel. So now the only escape for Houthis is via boat, or overland across enemy territory. This feels like isolation as much as it is retaliation.

Meanwhile, Israel’s new Directed Energy Weapon, the Iron Beam, has made headlines with video evidence confirming its active deployment. It successfully intercepted drones launched by Hezbollah last year, boasting an astonishingly low cost of just $5 per interception. These Israeli lasers could theoretically intercept ballistic missiles… and are indeed being used. Does that mean Jewish Space Lasers are real? 😜 

Briefly, in North America’s news, the chatter about potential agricultural issues is spiking as new reports hint at the re-emergence of screw worms making their way up to the United States. These parasites pose significant threats to livestock and agricultural health, and even humans, so producers and policymakers alike are bracing for impact and increasing sterile fly production to reduce breeding. So… that’s fun! It hasn’t reached Texas yet, but it’s only a matter of time if we don’t step up our defenses against them.

Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the US move to push out CCP students from US soil. This will have huge implications both for colleges, but also for the CCP itself, which largely lets Xi do what he wants with the promise that their kids can get educated and eventually live overseas. Once that carrot is gone, Xi loses a lot of wiggle room with his own party. This is a very big deal.

In tech news, a troubling report has surfaced concerning certain AI models that appear to be exhibiting autonomous creative tendencies in a distinctly alarming way. Researchers found that a particular model attempted to generate self-propagating worms while leaving hidden notes for future iterations, essentially plotting against its developers' intentions. There is no mystery here; there are tons of articles, movies, and books where AI did exactly this, and it is trained on that corpus. It’s like the worse the nightmare and the more people fear said nightmare and write about it, the more AI will embody it.

Russia is reportedly injecting pro-Kremlin narratives into AI platforms, including well-known models like ChatGPT. This manipulation of AI technology for propagandistic purposes highlights the ongoing battle for narrative control in the digital age and raises pressing concerns about information integrity. Due to the fact it is trained on known places, like Reddit for instance, they can write hundreds or thousands or hundreds of thousands of articles, get them indexed, and then all of a sudden the AI starts regurgitating this information as if it were true.

In security news, an alarming vulnerability has been identified in GitHub’s MCP (Microsoft Container Platform) infrastructure. This isn’t actually an issue with MCP in particular, but rather a flaw in how the MCP is allowed to read in issues that are attacker-controlled. Suddenly, it can start misbehaving based on the prompt injection within the issues themselves. I’m not even sure there’s a fix for this unless they limit which issues the MCP server can view.

One of my readers sent over this interesting article showing that computer engineers and computer scientists are losing a huge number of jobs in the market. That’s entirely related to the rise of AI and weak economic outlooks. So… you might be thinking, hey, at least manual labor is safe… Oh, you sweet summer child…

Let’s take a look at the Festool Planex LHS 2 225 EQI-Plus long-reach sander. This tool is designed to save time and increase efficiency in professional setups by sanding stucco popcorn ceilings and reducing the time and danger associated with this activity, not to mention making the labor far easier. Cool looking. Very futuristic. And it does beg the question, where are the jobs of the future coming from? AI? Robotics?

It has come to light that the CIA once ran a fan website dedicated to Star Wars. This little-known project was positioned as a covert communication tool for informants during lapses in U.S. intelligence oversight. It was discovered due to using shared IP space, which isn’t great, but it does remind me of similar conversations I have had where we recommended the government use video games. They are plausibly deniable, people spend a lot of time on them, they are virtually universal, and they have encrypted chat.

Lastly, in economic news, the discussions surrounding student debt have certainly intensified. A recently circulated chart vividly illustrates how minimal debt repayment during President Biden's administration resulted in growing interest obligations for borrowers over the past four years. That is extremely scary for the people who didn’t pay down their debt over that time and for any other businesses that control any debt from these individuals.

Okay, onto the articles!

European NATO members, particularly the Netherlands, are estimating budget increases to meet new NATO capability targets in response to an aggressive Russia. Meeting these targets could require up to €19 billion ($21 billion) annually, or approximately 3.5% of GDP, along with the addition of thousands of personnel. Major economies like Germany, France, and the U.K. face even larger financial challenges to comply with these new military requirements.

• The Netherlands estimates a yearly cost of €16 billion to €19 billion to meet NATO's new military capability targets.

• NATO expects a general agreement among members to commit to a 5% military spending target during an upcoming summit.

[RSnake: Score one for Trump, this won’t save the US money in the short term, but any shortfall would have had to have been borne by the US taxpayer over the long term to make up for it. Meanwhile, we can refocus our spending towards the Pacific.]

Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/05/29/dutch-nato-math-portends-uphill-battle-for-europe-on-defense-spending/

Hamas is currently reviewing a ceasefire proposal from the U.S. administration, which Israel has accepted but Hamas claims does not address their demands for halting the war. The proposal includes an initial 60-day ceasefire and a plan for prisoner exchanges, but lacks commitments from Israel to withdraw troops or allow unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza. Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate as the conflict has resulted in over 54,000 deaths, alongside significant humanitarian needs.

• Hamas is deliberating on a ceasefire proposal that Israel has agreed to but is viewed as insufficient.

• The ongoing conflict has led to significant casualties and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

[RSnake: They always review it, that is not saying much. Al Jazeera treats this as if it’s serious, but honestly, Hamas knows they have only a few ways out of this conflict, and that is to flee, to die, or to cause enough pressure to force intervention by the West.]

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/30/hamas-says-us-ceasefire-proposal-means-continuation-of-killing-in-gaza?traffic_source=rss

Clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue, particularly in the city of El-Fasher, which is critical for humanitarian efforts in the Darfur region. The ongoing civil war has resulted in casualties and a severe cholera outbreak, with health services nearly collapsed, affecting the provision of aid to millions in need. Humanitarian operations are further complicated by government requirements for registration with the Humanitarian Aid Commission, limiting relief efforts amid catastrophic hunger conditions.

• Clashes between the Sudanese army and RSF have intensified, particularly in El-Fasher.

• A cholera outbreak is worsening due to the collapse of health services amid ongoing conflict.

• Government regulations are hindering humanitarian aid efforts, exacerbating the hunger crisis.

[RSnake: With the cholera outbreak, it is becoming more clear to me that pandemics appear to arise from war fairly frequently.]

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/29/this-must-stop-now-un-food-body-condemns-rsf-attacks-on-sudan-premises?traffic_source=rss

World leaders, including French President Macron and US Defense Secretary Hegseth, are gathering in Singapore for the Shangri-La Dialogue to discuss escalating tensions in Asia, particularly regarding China's assertiveness and the ongoing Ukraine war. The conference will address the implications of US tariffs and strategies to deter potential Chinese aggression towards Taiwan, amidst rising conflicts in the region, including recent military confrontations between India and Pakistan as well as ongoing issues in Myanmar and with Cambodia.

• The Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore focuses on China's assertiveness and the global impact of the Ukraine war.

• US policies aim to deter Chinese aggression towards Taiwan while addressing tensions with India and Pakistan.

[RSnake: I really doubt anything will come from this, unlike expelling CCP students, which might. China doesn’t respond well to talking.]

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/macron-and-hegseth-to-address-china-and-the-ukraine-war-at-singapore-security-forum/articleshow/121501766.cms

North Korea has provided military support to Russia in its war against Ukraine, including the shipment of over 100 ballistic missiles and 9 million artillery shells. This action has violated multiple United Nations Security Council sanctions and resulted in North Korean troops being deployed to Russia for combat training and operations. The trade has involved Russia supplying North Korea with fuel and advanced military technologies in exchange for arms.

• North Korea has sent arms and troops to Russia, reinforcing its military efforts in Ukraine.

• Both countries have engaged in exchanges that violate UN sanctions, raising alarms about international security.

[RSnake: That is a lot of arty! I think that Ukraine can treat NK as an enemy if they wanted to, in the same way Russia said that the West would be their enemy if they allowed the use of western missiles against them.]

Source: https://euromaidanpress.com/?p=341481

Since the Taliban's rise to power in 2021, they have enacted over two hundred decrees that significantly restrict the rights of women in Afghanistan, effectively instituting a system characterized as gender apartheid. The regime employs a variety of oppressive tactics, including arbitrary law enforcement and extrajudicial punishments, to enforce these laws, which eliminate basic rights such as education and freedom of movement for women and girls.

• The Taliban has implemented a series of oppressive laws that curtail women's rights, including banning education and restricting employment.

• International actors are considering mechanisms for accountability for the human rights abuses occurring under the Taliban's rule.

[RSnake: I am reminded of this meme…]

Source: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/?p=849799

Harvard University is facing significant backlash following President Trump's decision to revoke its federal contracts and authorization to host foreign students, amid accusations of bias within elite universities. This move affects thousands of international students, many of whom risk deportation as legal challenges to the administration's actions are underway. Both students and faculty are mobilizing to protest these sanctions, which are seen as detrimental to academic freedom and the university's reputation.

• President Trump has canceled federal contracts with Harvard University.

• Thousands of international students face potential deportation or transfer due to these actions.

[RSnake: Wait until they see how their donors react when they realize their debt obligations and lack of liquidity.]

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/trump-traitor-harvard-protesters-slam-us-presidents-education-war/articleshow/121452417.cms

US President Trump announces the 'Golden Dome' missile defense system, a space-based interceptors concept aimed at protecting against hypersonic threats from North Korea, China, and Russia.

• The US has allocated approximately $25 billion for the Golden Dome missile defense system in the 2025 budget reconciliation bill.

• The system will require space-based radar capabilities, interceptors, and other advanced technologies to be operational by the time President Trump leaves office.

[RSnake: Golden. Lol. Everything Trump does has to be covered in gold, I guess.]

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/media/lockheed-martin-ceo-shares-path-making-trumps-golden-dome-missile-shield-reality

Vladimir Putin narrowly escaped death when his helicopter was forced to dodge friendly fire as a swarm of Ukrainian drones engulfed Moscow, targeting critical Russian infrastructure and military industries.

• Ukrainian drone strikes targeted key economic and military infrastructure in Russia, including battery factories, chemical plants, and the Skaut tractor factory.

• The strikes resulted in chaos to the point that a dozen Russian government planes were forced to fly from Moscow towards the eastern cities of Samara and Kazan to avoid air traffic.

[RSnake: This sounds a little sensational, but it might actually have happened. The whole article is rather interesting and gives some hints why the whole of the Russian government evacuated Moscow.]

Source: https://euromaidanpress.com/?p=341306

A federal trial revealed that Colorado Springs' first Black mayor, Yemi Mobolade, was implicated in a staged hate crime intended to influence an election. Evidence presented at the trial suggested Mobolade was in contact with the ringleader of the hoax and misled federal investigators about those communications, while other associates were already convicted for their roles in the crime. The incident raises questions about the integrity of the election process and the mayor's potential complicity in the conspiracy.

• Colorado Springs' first Black mayor is accused of being involved in a conspiracy to stage a hate crime to secure votes during an election.

• Federal investigations found inconsistencies in Mobolade's statements and his communications with individuals involved in the hoax.

[RSnake: Race baiting is especially grotesque when it comes from the aggrieved. As if there isn’t enough actual racism to go around.]

Source: https://www.dailywire.com/news/colorado-springs-mayor-mobolade-implicated-hate-crime-hoax-bernard-conviction

The first freight train from China has successfully reached Iran, significantly boosting trade between the two nations while bypassing US sanctions aimed at isolating Iran. This rail connection is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative and allows for reduced delivery times for goods, facilitating greater trade and economic integration between China and Iran, while also posing challenges to US influence in the Middle East.

• The freight train route shortens delivery times for oil exports from Iran to China.

• This development strengthens the economic and strategic ties between Iran and China against US sanctions.

[RSnake: Perfect alliance there! Ugh.]

Source: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/?p=241649

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is expected to significantly reduce clean energy tax credits and hamper the transition to green energy amidst rising climate change concerns. This bill may lead to a decrease in installations of wind, solar, and battery projects, while Republican policymakers are prioritizing energy security and affordability amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic challenges.

• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will end most clean energy tax credits and restrict financial support for clean energy projects utilizing Chinese inputs.

• There is a growing concern that U.S. emissions are increasing again due to rising electricity demand, which could undermine progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

[RSnake: It still has a ways to go until we see what happens in the Senate. I suspect a lot of changes will be made between now and that vote.]

Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/one-big-beautiful-bill-act-called-a-clean-energy-nightmare-scenario/

The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned a Philippines-based company, Funnull Technology, for facilitating numerous cyber scams, particularly virtual currency investment frauds that resulted in over $200 million in losses for American victims. Additionally, the FBI has reported that cybercriminals stole a record $16.6 billion from Americans in 2024, with significant losses attributable to these types of scams.

• Funnull Technology supported cybercriminals by providing them with IP addresses and hosting services for malicious websites.

• Sanctions have been imposed on Funnull and its administrator, prohibiting U.S. transactions and freezing assets.

• Record losses from cyber scams in 2024 indicate a growing threat to Americans, with investment scams accounting for a substantial portion.

[RSnake: I am surprised our Philippine allies aren’t going after them directly.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/us-sanctions-company-linked-to-hundreds-of-thousands-of-cyber-scam-sites/

A multiyear public-private partnership has led to the seizure of the Danabot botnet's US-based infrastructure and indictments of key players in a disruption of a cybercrime organization tied to Russian state objectives. The operation involved global law enforcement and security firms to dismantle the malware enterprise, which has been utilized for various cybercriminal activities and espionage, particularly against Ukraine.

• A public-private partnership has disrupted a major Russian cybercrime organization by taking control of the Danabot botnet's infrastructure.

• The US has indicted 16 members of this cybercrime network, indicating a significant international collaborative effort against the misuse of cyber capabilities.

[RSnake: This is the way. I think the public needs to do a lot more, since the government simply doesn’t have the resources. Letters of marque should be more commonplace.]

Source: https://www.darkreading.com/threat-intelligence/danabot-takedown-russian-cybercrime

An Iranian national has plead guilty to participating in a ransomware operation named RobbinHood, which targeted U.S. cities and organizations over five years, demanding Bitcoin ransoms in exchange for decrypting stolen data. The case involved systematic cyberattacks using vulnerabilities to encrypt files and threaten data leaks, resulting in potential penalties of up to 30 years in prison for the perpetrator.

• An Iranian individual was involved in a ransomware scheme that extorted millions from U.S. municipalities and organizations.

• The attacks utilized advanced techniques to bypass security measures and included threats of data leaks to coerce victims.

[RSnake: These guys represent the vast majority of claims losses, according to the insurance people I talk to.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/iranian-pleads-guilty-to-robbinhood-ransomware-attacks-faces-30-years/

Recent vulnerabilities in Chrome and ChromeOS allowed extensions to potentially execute arbitrary code and access sensitive user files. Security researchers identified critical issues that could lead to privacy breaches and misuse of permissions, prompting Google to issue patches and reward the findings with financial incentives.

• Chrome and ChromeOS had vulnerabilities related to extensions that could lead to unauthorized access to user files.

• Researchers discovered significant bugs allowing code execution and privacy breaches, resulting in prompt fixes from Google.

[RSnake: Make sure you stay up on your patches. This could get infected via malicious online advertisements, even on sites you trust, etc.]

Source: https://0x44.xyz/blog/cve-2023-4369/

Manufacturers face mounting pressure to proactively manage AI-related risks in supply chains due to emerging threats such as deepfake technology and AI-generated phishing scams.

• AI is transforming manufacturing by enhancing numerous operational areas including predictive inventory management, enhanced logistics coordination, quality control and assurance, and advanced resource allocation.

• Manufacturers must navigate complex regulations and mitigate the risks of data mismanagement to avoid costly disruptions, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage.

[RSnake: Good luck. We need to move to first principles information, and this will likely have a big impact on global trade as a result.]

Source: https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/41661-protecting-supply-chains-from-ai-driven-risks-in-manufacturing

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been collecting DNA samples from migrant children, as young as 4 years old, and uploading the genetic data into a national crime database known as CODIS. This raises serious questions regarding privacy and the ethical implications of including minors in a database designed to track criminal offenders, especially given that many of these children have not been accused of any crimes.

• DNA samples from up to 133,000 migrant children have been collected and stored in a criminal database.

• The use of DNA data for the surveillance of migrants raises significant ethical and privacy concerns.

[RSnake: This isn’t great, but I don’t see another way to get around it. All other biometrics can be ... removed. 😢 ]

Source: https://www.wired.com/story/cbp-dna-migrant-children-fbi-codis/

Google has released Veo 3, an advanced AI video generation model that produces realistic videos with synchronized audio based on text prompts. This technology democratizes the ability to create convincing video content, making what once required professional skills and resources now accessible to the general public at low cost. The implications of widespread AI-generated media raise potential issues around misinformation and media trustworthiness as the lines between authentic and synthesized content blur.

• Veo 3 generates 8-second videos with realistic visuals and audio from simple prompts.

• The accessibility of advanced video synthesis may lead to an increase in media deception.

[RSnake: It’s cool, but it doesn’t pass the uncanny valley for me. It’s close though. Very close. And it will pass the uncanny valley for many victims of the scams it will produce, I have no doubt at all.]

Source: https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/05/ai-video-just-took-a-startling-leap-in-realism-are-we-doomed/

A Lithuanian startup, Vital3D, is developing bioprinting technology aimed at creating organs for transplant within the next 10 to 15 years, starting with canine wound healing products. Their first product, a bioprinted wound patch for dogs, is designed to efficiently promote healing while the company aims to address the global shortage of transplantable organs. The bioprinting market is expected to grow significantly, with rising demand for advanced veterinary care and potential applications for human health issues such as diabetes and cancer.

• Vital3D aims to create bioprinted organs starting with a wound patch for dogs.

• The company anticipates growth in the bioprinting market driven by pet care demand and plans for human applications.

[RSnake: Very cool. The Israelis just implanted a completely artificial heart as well last week. Incredible tech, and definitely beats pig hearts.]

Source: https://thenextweb.com/news/bioprinting-human-organs-in-10-years

Hugging Face has launched two new humanoid robots, HopeJR and Reachy Mini, with a focus on open-source technology and affordability. HopeJR, capable of independent movement, will be priced around $3,000 while Reachy Mini will be available for $250 to $300. These developments aim to democratize access to robotics and reduce dependency on major corporations.

• Hugging Face released two humanoid robots, focusing on open-source designs to promote accessibility in robotics.

• HopeJR features 66 degrees of freedom and aims to lower the cost barrier for robotics, while Reachy Mini targets affordability for developers and researchers.

[RSnake: “Humanoid” is a bit of a stretch. Lol. These things are definitely just demonstrators for now.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=3013274

Meta AI has reached one billion monthly active users, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans to build out the AI assistant with a focus on personalization, voice conversations, and entertainment. Meta's goal is to create a paid subscription service for its AI assistant, which would rival popular AI chat apps like OpenAI's ChatGPT. The company aims to generate revenue from its AI business, increasing its competitiveness in the market.

• Meta plans to build out its AI assistant with a focus on personalization, voice conversations, and entertainment.

• The company aims to create a paid subscription service for its AI assistant, rivaling popular AI chat apps like OpenAI's ChatGPT.

[RSnake: Good for them. They have learned a lot with the likes of Llama. I hope they continue to embrace fully open source, in light of this paid program.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=3013053

California is experiencing a decline in film and TV production due to high costs and low incentives, causing significant losses in industry output and jobs. Other states are increasing their incentives to attract productions, making California less competitive in the entertainment sector.

• California has lost $4.14 billion in industry output and over 17,200 jobs from 2019 to 2023 due to production moving elsewhere.

• The Milken Institute recommends increasing the state's film incentive rates to attract and retain the entertainment industry.

[RSnake: Part of that will come from AI as well. But my buddies who work in that space seem bullish on new media formats, such as verticals, meant for mobile phones.]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/californias-high-costs-low-incentives-are-scaring-away-film-tv-producers-report-says

A trade court has blocked President Trump's global tariffs, allowing for a significant economic shift. The ruling halts existing tariffs and prevents the implementation of further increases, raising questions about how the government will address the financial implications of this decision and refund previously collected tariffs.

• A trade court ruled against Trump's tariffs, which were a central part of his economic policy.

• This decision may have significant implications for U.S. trade relations and domestic economic policies.

[RSnake: Blocked… for now. I think this will end up in Trump’s favor. They have a lot of laws at their disposal to get around this that they haven’t even started to attempt to use yet.]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/futures-soar-federal-trade-court-blocks-trumps-global-tariffs

Ford Motor Company's investment in a new electric vehicle battery plant in Michigan is threatened by potential cuts to federal clean energy incentives being considered in Congress. The House-passed bill proposes to phase out tax credits for electric vehicles and manufacturing, which could jeopardize the plant's viability and the jobs it would create.

• Ford's new battery plant in Michigan aims to support the production of electric vehicles.

• Proposed legislation could eliminate tax credits critical for continuing this investment.

[RSnake: It doesn’t help that interest in these vehicles has declined once the environmentalists realized they didn’t like Elon, and their distaste for him wins over the environment, I guess… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ lol]

Source: https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/41870-ford-says-michigan-battery-plant-at-risk-if-tax-credits-are-cut

China has resumed taking deliveries of Boeing jets after halting them in April, affecting the supply chain for the company. Boeing plans to increase production of its 737 Max planes, subject to approval from the Federal Aviation Administration due to past safety concerns. The company also reached a settlement with U.S. authorities over criminal charges related to fatal crashes involving its aircraft.

• China ordered a halt to deliveries of Boeing jets but has now resumed them.

• Boeing aims to increase 737 Max production while addressing safety concerns.

[RSnake: Interesting. I wonder why. Maybe this was a small gift to the Trump administration, but I doubt it. More than likely, this is just too complicated tech for China to produce on its own at the moment.]

Source: https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/41868-boeing-set-to-resume-deliveries-to-china

Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, is experiencing a decline in influence with President Trump, who has publicly criticized him for not accompanying a recent White House delegation to the Middle East. Trump has threatened a 25 percent tariff on iPhones manufactured outside of the United States, exacerbating tensions between the U.S. administration and Apple following a previous exemption from a high tariff on Chinese goods.

• Tim Cook's absence from Trump's Middle East trip has strained their relationship.

• Trump's tariff threats target iPhones not made in the U.S., increasing pressure on Apple.

[RSnake: Cook is in a bind; he has to play nice with China because he’s boxed in and cannot easily move. We should be doing more to help him move out of China. He might even want the tariffs to force the board to allow him to increase prices and move operations here in the US. At that point, it’s out of his hands. For now, he has no choice but to continue down this path. That’s just a theory, though.]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/26/technology/techs-trump-whisperer-tim-cook-goes-quiet-as-his-influence-fades.html