Israel says return of artefacts to Egypt shows relations warming

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Israel says return of artefacts to Egypt shows relations warming
Sun, 22 May 2016 15:40:00 +0100

Israel on Sunday returned to Egypt two stolen sarcophagi lids, saying the repatriation of the millennia-old artefacts was a sign of warmer relations between the two countries. Israel Antiquities Authority investigators found the two artefacts, one dating back between 3,400 and 3,600 years and the second about 3,000 years-old, in an antiquity dealer's shop in East Jerusalem about five years ago. The Israeli foreign ministry said the wooden sarcophagi covers were stolen in Egypt and smuggled to East Jerusalem via a Gulf state.

Two years after coup, ousted Yingluck says Thailand's junta must speed up reform
Sun, 22 May 2016 15:38:50 +0100

By Orathai Sriring BANGKOK (Reuters) - Two years to the day that Thailand's army toppled the remnants of her government, former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called on the junta to accelerate a return to democracy, and a poll showed Thais were no happier than before the coup. In 2014, the military staged their 12th successful coup since the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1932, and khaki army uniforms replaced the yellow and red shirts of the protesters that had paralysed Bangkok for months. "It was the day that the people's rights and freedom were taken away," Yingluck said in a Facebook post.

Top US Commander In Secret Visit To Syria
Sun, 22 May 2016 15:33:39 +0100

The new US commander for the Middle East has secretly visited Syria to see efforts to build alliances of Arab, Kurd and other local fighters to defeat the Islamic State group. General Joseph Votel, head of US Central Command, became the highest-ranking American military officer to enter Syria since the country began its campaign to counter IS in 2014. General Votel flew into northern Syria and spent nearly 11 hours in the country, meeting US military advisers working with Syrian Arab fighters.

Gunman fires into crowd at concert in Austria, killing 2
Sun, 22 May 2016 15:24:40 +0100

VIENNA (AP) — A gunman fired shots early Sunday into a small crowd attending an open air concert organized by a local motorcycle club, killing two people and wounding 11 others before shooting himself to death, police said.

Venezuela food crisis forces Coca-Cola shutdown
Sun, 22 May 2016 15:22:56 +0100

Firm stops production over sugar shortage as country faces one of worst economic crises in recent history.

Turkish ruling party confirms Erdogan ally as new chairman
Sun, 22 May 2016 14:58:26 +0100

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's ruling party confirmed a trusted ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as its new chairman on Sunday, setting the stage for his appointment as the new prime minister. The move is widely believed to consolidate Erdogan's hold on power.

Suu Kyi calls for 'space' to address Myanmar's Rohingya issue as Kerry visits
Sun, 22 May 2016 14:54:29 +0100

By Lesley Wroughton NAYPYITAW (Reuters) - Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi asked to be given "enough space" to address the plight of her country's Rohingya Muslim population, as visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pressed the Nobel peace laureate to promote respect for human rights. Some 125,000 Rohingya in Myanmar are displaced and face severe travel restrictions in camps since fighting erupted in Rakhine State between the country's Buddhists and Muslims in 2012. The United States has long supported Suu Kyi's role in championing democratic change in Myanmar, but was surprised this month when she suggested to the new U.S. ambassador Scot Marciel to refrain from using the term 'Rohingya' for the persecuted Muslim minority.

Iraqi forces prepare offensive on IS-held Falluja, some residents begin to flee
Sun, 22 May 2016 14:53:07 +0100

Iraq's military said on Sunday it was preparing to launch an offensive to retake the Islamic State stronghold of Falluja and told residents to get ready to leave before fighting started. Falluja, a long-time bastion of Sunni Muslim jihadists, was the first city to fall to Islamic State, in January 2014, six months before the group swept through large parts of Iraq and neighbouring Syria. The jihadists have prevented residents from leaving for months.

Iraq's media muzzle: Baghdad's broken press promises
Sun, 22 May 2016 14:47:39 +0100

Less than two years after Haider al-Abadi lifted bans on media outlets, press freedom appears to be in decline again.

Erdogan loyalist elected leader of ruling AK Party
Sun, 22 May 2016 14:43:31 +0100

Transport Minister Binali Yildirim is elected as the new leader of the ruling AK Party and therefore the prime minister.

Clinton calls Trump's gun policies "dangerous"
Sun, 22 May 2016 14:43:04 +0100

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Donald Trump's gun policies are "not just way out there" but "dangerous" and would make America less safe, Hillary Clinton said Saturday.

Protesters march to mark 2nd anniversary of Thailand coup
Sun, 22 May 2016 15:39:45 +0100

BANGKOK (AP) — More than 200 people marched in Thailand's capital on Sunday to protest military rule on the second anniversary of the coup that toppled the country's elected government.

Turkey's transport minister elected as head of ruling AK Party at congress
Sun, 22 May 2016 14:34:03 +0100

Turkish Transport Minister Binali Yildirim was unanimously elected on Sunday as the new leader of the ruling AK Party and therefore the prime minister, allowing President Tayyip Erdogan to cement his grip on government as he seeks greater powers. One of the co-founders of the AK Party along with Erdogan, Yildirim, 60, won all the votes from the 1,405 delegates at an extraordinary party congress. Yildirim was the sole candidate at the congress, which was announced after Ahmet Davutoglu said earlier this month he was stepping down following an increasingly public rift with Erdogan.

Groups of asylum-seekers clash at German shelter, 5 injured
Sun, 22 May 2016 14:28:43 +0100

BERLIN (AP) — Police say five people were severely injured in violent clashes between Iraqi-Yazidi and Chechen asylum-seekers in the central German city of Bielefeld.

Mansour's brief reign as chief marked by turmoil
Sun, 22 May 2016 14:17:34 +0100

Mullah Mohammed Akhtar Mansour's brief rule, which ended with his death in a drone strike, was marked by mistrust and strife. Since his takeover of the movement following the announcement last year of ...

Austria's next president could be a right-wing Eurosceptic
Sun, 22 May 2016 14:11:10 +0100

For the first time since World War II, a right-wing politician could win Sunday's election for the Austrian presidency as established parties that have dominated postwar politics watch from the sidelines. ...

War in Yemen: 13 Al Qaeda fighters killed in Mukalla
Sun, 22 May 2016 14:07:28 +0100

Yemeni troops killed 13 fighters in a raid outside the city of Mukalla, which was ruled by Al-Qaeda until last month.

Obama, bound for Vietnam, seeks to turn old foe into new partner
Sun, 22 May 2016 14:02:43 +0100

By Matt Spetalnick and Mai Nguyen ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE/HANOI (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama on Sunday headed for his first visit to Vietnam, a trip aimed at sealing the transformation of an old enemy into a new partner to help counter China's growing assertiveness in the region. Four decades after a war with Vietnam that deeply divided opinion in America, Obama aims to boost defense and economic ties with the country's communist rulers while also prodding them on human rights, aides say. Vietnam's poor human rights record is a sticking point, but the Obama administration appears increasingly swayed toward giving Hanoi some leeway to build its deterrent against Beijing.

El-Sissi says Egypt submarine headed to plane crash site
Sun, 22 May 2016 14:00:56 +0100

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's president said on Sunday a submarine belonging to his country's Oil Ministry was headed to the site of the crash of EgyptAir Flight-804 in the eastern Mediterranean to join the search for the cockpit voice and flight data recorders, commonly known as black boxes.

Erdogan loyalist chosen as ruling party chief, set to be Turkey PM
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:59:17 +0100

Turkey's experienced transport minister Binali Yildirim, a steadfast ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was Sunday named ruling party chief and was set to be also appointed as prime minister in moves further consolidating the Turkish strongman's grip on power.

Clinton, Sanders duel over Latino vote in California
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:58:24 +0100

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bernie Sanders' image gazes out from a corner storefront in Boyle Heights, a Hispanic enclave known for its plump burritos and a plaza where mariachis strum guitars. It's here that his campaign is going house to house to cut into Hillary Clinton's advantage with Latino voters.

7 dead after volcano erupts in western Indonesia
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:56:37 +0100

GAMBER, Indonesia (AP) — The death toll in the eruption of a volcano in western Indonesia rose to seven on Sunday, with two other people in critical condition, as an official warned of more eruptions.

Israel: The rise of the new 'messianic elite'
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:42:24 +0100

Appointment of Avigdor Lieberman as defence minister suggests a change of elite within Israeli politics, analysts say.

Kerry hails 'remarkable' Myanmar changes after Suu Kyi talks
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:40:06 +0100

US Secretary of State John Kerry Sunday hailed Myanmar's transition from army rule to a civilian government steered by Aung San Suu Kyi as a "remarkable statement" of support for global democracy.

Crowd Frees Elderly Woman From Under Van
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:38:40 +0100

The rescuers rocked and lifted the van to free the woman - known as Ms Huang - in south China's Guangzhou area. Ms Huang, who is in her 80s, was crossing a street near a primary school when she was hit by the white vehicle, according to witnesses. Tu Runhong, a security guard at a nearby primary school, was among the first to respond to the accident.

Obama Urged To Meet Agent Orange Victims
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:34:48 +0100

US President Barack Obama is being urged to address the ongoing health impacts caused by Agent Orange when he visits Vietnam later this week. The US government already pays compensation to American veterans and their families, for numerous health problems linked to Agent Orange exposure. But US officials have consistently denied a connection between contact with the defoliant, which was used to destroy forest that provided cover for the Viet Cong, and similar health issues experienced by people in Vietnam.

Philippine president-elect blasts Catholic church, bishops
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:22:26 +0100

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The presumptive Philippine president-elect has blasted the country's dominant Roman Catholic church as "the most hypocritical institution" and accused some of its bishops of corruption for allegedly asking favors from politicians, including him.

Austria Could Elect Far-Right President Today
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:16:05 +0100

Voting is under way in Austria's presidential elections which could usher in the European Union's first far-right head of state. Opinion polls suggested the race between right-wing Freedom Party candidate Norbert Hofer and former Greens leader Alexander van der Bellen will be close-run. Mr Hofer caught everyone by surprise when he scored 35% in a resounding first-round victory.

Obama to make historic visit to Vietnam
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:16:00 +0100

US president heads to fledgling ally Vietnam as the country votes in parliamentary elections.

Obama: Hiroshima visit to emphasise current U.S. ties with Japan
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:14:28 +0100

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Sunday his visit to Hiroshima, the first city to suffer an atomic bombing, would emphasise friendly ties between former enemies, and reiterated he would not apologise for the devastating attack. Obama will become the first sitting U.S. president to tour the site of the world's first nuclear bombing this Friday, accompanied by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In an interview with Japanese national broadcaster NHK, Obama - who emphasized denuclearisation early in his term - said the reality is that leaders often have to make hard choices during times of conflict and no apologies would be included in brief remarks he is expected to make in the western Japanese city.

Police, soldiers swarm Mexico's Acapulco, killings continue
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:09:21 +0100

ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) — Along with beach towels or sandals, there's a new popular beach accessory that says a lot about the violence gripping this once-glamorous resort: a small black leather tote hanging from the neck or shoulders of some men. It's not a man-bag, exactly; it holds a small pistol.

Obama: Hiroshima visit to emphasize current U.S. ties with Japan
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:08:40 +0100

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Sunday his visit to Hiroshima, the first city to suffer an atomic bombing, would emphasize friendly ties between former enemies, and reiterated he would not apologize for the devastating attack. Obama will become the first sitting U.S. president to tour the site of the world's first nuclear bombing this Friday, accompanied by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In an interview with Japanese national broadcaster NHK, Obama - who emphasized decentralization early in his term - said the reality is that leaders often have to make hard choices during times of conflict and no apologies would be included in brief remarks he is expected to make in the western Japanese city.

Obama looks to boost economic, security ties in Asia
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:05:06 +0100

President Barack Obama's mission in Vietnam and Japan is to build stronger economic and security ties with Asian-Pacific allies anxious about the rise of an increasingly muscular China. That forward-looking ...

A look at deadly attacks carried out under Mullah Mansour
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:04:51 +0100

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Akhtar Mansour's rule saw several devastating attacks in Afghanistan, particularly the capital Kabul. It was also during Mansour's brief rule, which ended with his death in a drone strike, that the Taliban, albeit briefly, took control of the northern city of Kunduz and held it for four days.

US Secretary of State Kerry urges further reforms in Myanmar
Sun, 22 May 2016 13:02:23 +0100

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday urged Myanmar's new civilian-led government to complete the Southeast Asian nation's transition to democracy by implementing further reforms to enshrine free markets, development and human rights.

Turkish authorities lift curfew in parts of Diyarbakir
Sun, 22 May 2016 12:59:21 +0100

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish authorities have lifted a long-standing curfew from parts of a historic neighborhood in the mainly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir.

EgyptAir Flight 804: Sisi says 'all scenarios possible'
Sun, 22 May 2016 12:53:07 +0100

Egyptian president says investigation could take some time but that cause of crash will eventually be revealed.

French PM visits Israel to push for peace plan
Sun, 22 May 2016 12:48:01 +0100

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls visited Israel on Sunday to advance his country's plan to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts in the face of opposition from his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.

Austrian election could produce EU's first far-right head of state
Sun, 22 May 2016 12:45:08 +0100

By Francois Murphy and Michael Shields VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria could elect the European Union's first far-right head of state on Sunday, with support for Freedom Party candidate Norbert Hofer buoyed by a migration crisis that has heightened fears about employment and security. Opinion polls suggest the presidential run-off between Hofer and former Greens leader Alexander van der Bellen will be close. Support for groups like the eurosceptic, anti-immigration Freedom Party (FPO) has been rising in various countries, whether they have taken in many migrants in the recent influx, like Germany and Sweden, or not, like France and Britain.

Afghan spy agency declares Taliban leader dead in US drone attack
Sun, 22 May 2016 12:43:06 +0100

Afghanistan's spy agency Sunday said Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in a US bombing raid, the first confirmation from regional officials of his death, which marks a potential blow to the resurgent militant movement.

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Google self-drive CEO: No plans to expand Fiat Chrysler partnership
Fri, 20 May 2016 01:57:47 +0100

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Google has no plans to expand its partnership with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV to create a self-driving car, the program chief at the Alphabet Inc unit said on Thursday, affirming that the technology company was still in talks with other potential partners. Earlier this month, Google and Fiat Chrysler agreed to work together to build a fleet of 100 self-driving minivans in the most advanced collaboration to date between Silicon Valley and a traditional carmaker. Google said it was not sharing proprietary self-driving vehicle technology with Fiat Chrysler, and that the vehicles would not be offered for sale.

 

Chrome is making it easier to pay for stuff with your phone
Fri, 20 May 2016 00:42:19 +0100

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Google's Chrome browser will soon be better at managing your passwords and payments information on the go. Google introduced two new APIs for the mobile version of its browser Thursday at its I/O developer conference. The new developer tools streamline both the sign-in and checkout process on mobile websites. SEE ALSO: Google just revealed its strategy to rule the post-search world. Will it work? A new Web Payment API allows users to complete the checkout process with just one touch. Websites that take advantage of the feature are able to autofill your payment and shipping information when it's time to check out.  Google demoed an early integration with Shopify onstage but the tool is now available now to any developer. The feature will also be compatible with Android Pay. Similarly, Google's new Credential Management API makes it easier to keep track of login information from Chrome's mobile browser. Though Chrome's app has had password-manager features for some time, the new tool makes logging in even simpler.  When you get to a sign-in page, Chrome will automatically detect if it has saved your account information. You can then log in to your account with a single tap. The API, which is available to developers now, also syncs passwords across devices, when you are logged into Chrome. Passwords that are synced to Chrome can also be shared with Android apps, if they use Android's Smart Lock feature. Though both features are available now, it's up to developers to take advantage of the tools so it could be some time before we start seeing these more widely. 

 

GM's car sharing brand Maven expands to Boston, Chicago, D.C.
Fri, 20 May 2016 00:17:09 +0100

Having driven over a million miles in fewer than four months, General Motors' car sharing brand Maven is expanding to Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C. SEE ALSO: Uber teases a first look at its self-driving car GM announced Thursday morning that it will be expanding Maven into three major U.S. cities, having already driven a million miles in its two test markets New York City and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Maven is more than car sharing, starting at $8 per hour — including insurance and fuel. In Chicago, for example, Maven includes $99/week Chevy Equinox rentals, which allows Chicagoans who don't own a car to drive for GM partner Lyft. Image: Brian Kersey for Maven Specifically at the Aqua luxury high-rise in the city's Lakeshore East neighborhood, residents can also utilize Maven for on-demand car sharing from their building. While it's currently very limited, even with the newly added cities, over the coming years, Maven has the potential to wholly alter — if not end — car ownership as we know it. I mean, why own a car in one of these cities if you can car share or Lyft so inexpensively?

 

Google I/O recap in 60 seconds
Fri, 20 May 2016 00:08:05 +0100

Here's our 60-second recap of Google's biggest event of the year: the I/O developer conference with a keynote from Google CEO Sundar Pichai.Live from the keynote: http://takesurveysforcashin.blogspot.com/;/p>

 

The sleek new Volvo cars promise to be high-tech and eco-friendly
Thu, 19 May 2016 23:06:14 +0100

Volvo rolled out some concepts for their new line of cars. The brand new 40.1 and 40.2 offer a sleek new design, paired with eco-friendliness and connectivity. It's truly a new breed of car. Read more: http://takesurveysforcashin.blogspot.com/;/p>

 

Alibaba insists it can help fight counterfeit brand goods
Thu, 19 May 2016 22:50:15 +0100

By Barbara Liston ORLANDO, Fla. (Reuters) - Alibaba said on Thursday it still wanted to work with companies fighting counterfeit brand-name products, a week after the Chinese online shopping platform was kicked out of an industry coalition due to long-standing accusations that it has turned a blind eye to counterfeits. Alibaba has been dogged for years by critics who called its online shopping platforms conduits for counterfeiters. At least three members of the Washington-based International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition, including board member Tiffany & Co, quit the group in protest and others threatened to leave after Alibaba was admitted as a member in April.

 

Apple's stores getting new look as other retailers struggle
Thu, 19 May 2016 22:29:06 +0100

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple is getting ready to unveil a stylish new product that's not for sale — a new look for its stores.

 

Netflix, Amazon face EU quota on European works
Thu, 19 May 2016 22:18:18 +0100

By Julia Fioretti BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Online video streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime will be required to devote at least a fifth of their catalogs to European content under proposals set to be announced next week. The European Commission is planning an overhaul of the European Union's broadcasting rules to bring in EU-wide minimum quotas in a bid to boost the circulation and funding of European films and television shows. On-demand services will have to ensure they have at least a 20 percent share of European works in their catalog and ensure their "prominence", according to a draft of the proposed Audiovisual Media Services Directive seen by Reuters.

 

Apple will open India office to develop its Maps feature
Thu, 19 May 2016 21:43:36 +0100

HYDERABAD, India (AP) — Apple will set up an office in southern India to develop the Maps feature for its products, the company said Thursday in its second such announcement since CEO Tim Cook arrived in the country.

 

Jeep runs out of steering wheels, pauses production, report says
Thu, 19 May 2016 21:10:27 +0100

Jeeps aren't autonomous yet. They're going to need steering wheels to work. SEE ALSO: Jeep just put a 707-horsepower 'Hellcat' V8 engine in a Wrangler Jeep cancelled a third consecutive Cherokee production shift at its Toledo, Ohio assembly plant on Thursday because of a steering wheel shortage, according to Automotive News. Workers were also sent home on Wednesday from a Grand Cherokee production site in Detroit, Michigan — again, for lack of steering wheels. This is a huge setback — albeit likely momentary — for Jeep, as the affected vehicles are their two best-sellers. The missing steering wheels are manufactured in Mexico by Key Safety Systems Inc. It's not clear what caused the steering wheel shortage, and Key Safety Systems Inc. has not yet responded to inquiries from Mashable . Intriguingly, the Wrangler line has not been affected by the lack of steering wheels.

 

Self-driving Chevy Bolts are cruising the streets of San Francisco
Thu, 19 May 2016 20:29:51 +0100

Blink and you might miss it, San Franciscans. There's an autonomous Chevrolet Bolt EV cruising through your city. SEE ALSO: Volvo's stunning compact concepts are a new take on Swedish small cars Recent General Motors acquisition Cruise Automation, an autonomous tech startup, revealed Thursday morning that it is already testing a self-driving Bolt in San Francisco. I say "already" because GM announced it was buying Cruise in March — just eight short weeks ago. In that time, Cruise has managed to outfit a Bolt with its unique autonomous driving tech and sent it out onto the streets of San Fran, apparently. Intriguingly, around the same time this photo was released, Uber showed a teaser of its first self-driving car — a Ford Fusion Hybrid — undergoing testing in Pittsburgh. Clearly, the two transportation companies are playing a game of oneupmanship. Mashable  has reached out to GM and Cruise for further information about the testing. A company spokesperson told us to "stay tuned."

 

Oculus responds to Sen. Al Franken's VR privacy questions
Thu, 19 May 2016 20:24:23 +0100

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The virtual reality company Oculus relies heavily on Facebook for security and shares information about its users with VR creators.

 

Dartmouth contest shows computers aren't such good poets
Thu, 19 May 2016 20:15:43 +0100

HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — Computers are pretty good at stocking shelves and operating cars, but are not so great at writing poetry.

 

New robot bee may soon be a spy's secret weapon
Thu, 19 May 2016 19:18:05 +0100

People fear robots are becoming too human, but, in reality, robots are becoming a little more bug-like every day. A team of Harvard University researchers proved this axiom when they found the solution to extending tiny robot flight is by mimicking the way small bugs alight on walls and ceilings. The applications for such a robot are wide-ranging, from small spying devices that can conduct surveillance missions while suspended from a ceiling to research drones that can allow scientists to take measurements where no other sensors can physically go. SEE ALSO: This robot can perform soft tissue surgery better than a human For the typical drone, hovering can take just as much energy as flying. As long as the robot is in the air, it's expending energy and running down its small battery capacity.  What researchers discovered, as reported in a new study published Thursday in the journal Science,  is that tiny robots could save considerable energy if they simply landed and perched between jaunts, the way a bee or butterfly might land on the ceiling before taking off again. The robo-bee making its approach, landing and then perching. Image: Carla Schaffer / AAAS While the scientists toyed with a number of different surface adhesion possibilities, the team finally settled on a unique combination of electrostatic material and foam to create a new kind of built-in robot landing pad.  A bee-inspired robot The team built a bee-inspired micro aerial vehicle (MAV) robot and attached an electrostatic patch consisting of a carbon-fiber base, copper electrodes and a polyamide coating. It sits on a small foam cylinder.  When charged, the electrostatic plate can attach itself to almost any surface (wood, glass, organic material) that responds to static electricity (yes, the same stuff you build up when you rub a balloon on a wall or your feet on the carpet). The chosen technology would work equally well on the ground or ceiling, said Robert Wood, a co-author of the new study, in an email to  Mashable.   "But we felt that perching on an overhang is more challenging since you have to have an adhesive force to overcome gravity." The foam is there to help cushion the landing. Without it, the tiny robot — it has just a 3-centimeter wingspan — might just bounce off the surface.  By using electrostatic energy, the researchers significantly broadened the kinds of materials and situations in which the robot can land and then take off again.  During testing, the robot was tethered to a power source at all times, allowing researchers to remotely power the electro-static plate, and to circuitry that provided some pre-programmed flight control behaviors (hover, approach target, detach and hover). To design their robot landings, researchers took a cue from how bees perch, observing how they control their own velocity and slow down and hover before landing softly. Perching and flying again The resulting perch solution allows the robot to slow down until it's hovering right underneath the landing spot — perhaps a leaf — and to rise up slowly until it's touching the surface.  Then the researchers powered up the electrostatic patch, which creates a bind strong enough to hold the robot in place, even after it powers down its flight motor. A closer look at how researchers built and controlled the robot with bee-like flight and landing capabilities. Image: AAAS The robot can remain perched for as long as the patch is powered up. However, "it's worth noting that the power for adhesion is several orders of magnitude lower than the power required for flight... highlighting one of the benefits of this approach," Wood said. However, the use of static electricity to hold the robot in place produces some significant weight constraints. According to Wood, a Harvard professor who founded the school's microrobotics laboratory, the amount of weight the patch can support is proportional to the area of the patch.  "But as size is reduced, surface area (thus adhesion) increases faster than volume (thus weight)," Wood said. "What this means is that this sort of adhesive mechanism is quite appropriate for small-scale systems."  Electrostatic adhesion is not new to robotics.  Study co-author Moritz Alexander Graule said it's a frequent target for climbing robot research, but it proved especially attractive for this project because the adhesion can be turned on and off without the need for moving parts. It also meant the robot-bee could land, perch and take off without applying any force to the landing surface. What's next? Why build a robot that can fly, land and take off like a bug? Because it can do things people can't do, and could become a critical component in search and rescue operations. According to Wood, it could be useful in "basically any situation where you want to have low cost and distributed sensing [that] would be too difficult or too dangerous for a human." It might also have some pretty handy surveillance applications.  A robot bug that can land when no one is around and then stay quietly attached to the ceiling, without the need for audible motors, and that can wait to take off until no one is around, could be quite a boon for would-be spies. Obviously, this is still a research project with numerous challenges ahead of it, most notably the need to remove the tether wires and integrate power and flight control-technology on the tiny robot.  This work alone could take a few years, and even then these robot bugs won't be ready to swarm. Wood said that in five-to-10 years "they could be ready for more widespread development and use." That's kind of a buzzkill.

 

Google is finally bringing Android apps to Chromebooks
Thu, 19 May 2016 19:17:47 +0100

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Google's Play Store, home to more than 1 million Android apps, is finally moving beyond the confines of Android. Chrome OS, the operating system that powers Chromebooks, is getting support for the Play Store, Google announced Thursday during a session at its I/O developer conference. SEE ALSO: Google just revealed its strategy to rule the post-search world. Will it work? Though Google previewed the news Thursday, Android apps won't officially launch until later in 2016. But developers can begin to optimize their apps for Chrome OS ahead of the launch. Once the Google Play Store is available to Chromebooks, users will be able to download Android apps to their desktop — even if they don't have a web or desktop version. During a demo Thursday, Senior Director of Product Management Kan Liu showed off Clash of Clans, Adobe's and Photoshop Mix running on a Chromebook. Any app that's available in Google Play on Android will also be available in Google Play on Chrome, though there may be some device-specific restrictions (phone dialer apps, for example, may not be available since they require a cellular connection.) Still, developers will be able to optimize their apps for Chrome OS — by creating better experiences for mouse and keyboard input, for example — beginning in June, if they have an Asus Chromebook Flip, Chromebook Pixel (2015) or Acer Chromebook R11. You can see a full list of supported device here. While some had speculated that Google would also bring Android apps to its Chrome browser, Google said this change was limited Chrome OS, at least for now.  More than two years in the making, the move marks the biggest step yet toward Google's goal of creating a more unified experience between Chrome and Android. Google first began to bring Android apps to Chrome OS in 2014 as part of a project called App Runtime for Chrome, but relatively few developers took advantage of the capability. And since then, rumors have persisted that Google planned to merge Android and Chrome. Meanwhile, Chromebooks themselves are more popular than ever. Research firm IDC reported that Chromebooks outsold Macs for the first time during the first quarter of 2016 — a stat Google touted during its announcement Thursday. Now Google has finally offered a look into its vision for the future of Chrome OS.  Update: This story has been updated to clarify that Android apps are only coming to Google Play on Chrome OS. An earlier version said the apps would be available on the Chrome browser, as well.

 

Full Unreal Engine compatibility coming to Google's Daydream VR
Thu, 19 May 2016 19:00:29 +0100

Game and app developers already working inside of virtual reality will be able to port existing apps and games to Google's brand new Daydream platform, if they are building on Unreal Engine. Epic Games appeared on the stage of Google I/O to unveil Unreal Engine 4's compatibility with Daydream, which was announced on Wednesday. SEE ALSO: With Daydream, Google's plans to dominate VR become more clear Since Daydream is a virtual reality platform that supports several different Android-powered mobile phones, it will allow more people to access VR in the next few years, said Nick Whiting, VR and AR Technical Director for Epic Games. The biggest benefit will be the required controller — every Daydream user will need it to jump into VR — so developers all can code for the same specifications. "Once you've interacted with motion controllers it's really hard to go back, like going back to [Oculus] DK1," Whiting told Mashable . "You see the magic of being in game, but then you look down and the illusion is broken when you don't have hands." The Epic Games team built its own tech demo to show off the controller's capabilities in Daydream. In the dungeon crawler game, players can wave a wand, attack monsters, point at menus and drink potions, all with two buttons, a clickable trackpad and the included sensors.  "Almost everyone can wave their hands around and use a trackpad. It's very simple so it's very hard to do something wrong," Whiting said. "Many people grab Oculus Touch or Vive and they aren't gamers, it's amazing how many buttons are on them. It's good to have a simple, natural interface for people." Daydream will sell virtual reality games and apps through the Google Play Store. There isn't a release date yet, but Unreal Engine 4 access will appear when developers get their hands on the platform, presumably before wider consumer release.

 

Top Democratic senator probes SWIFT, NY Fed about Bangladesh heist
Thu, 19 May 2016 18:59:45 +0100

The Senate Homeland Security Committee's top Democrat sought information Thursday from global financial network SWIFT and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on steps being taken to bolster cyber security in the wake of the theft of $81 million from the central bank of Bangladesh. Senator Tom Carper of Delaware requested that both answer questions and brief his staff by June 17 on how they were handling issues following the February heist, during which hackers wired money out of an account at the New York Fed held by Bank Bangladesh, as well as how they were safeguarding against other potential cyber threats. "These cyber attacks raise important questions about the security of the SWIFT system and the ability of its members to prevent future attacks," Carper wrote in his letters.

 

YouTube is building a new version of its app for virtual reality
Thu, 19 May 2016 18:13:07 +0100

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — YouTube will soon have a much better virtual reality experience. Google is making a standalone YouTube app for Daydream, the company's newly-announced Android-based virtual reality platform. Clay Bavor, Google's head of VR, announced the upcoming app during a session at the company's I/O developer conference Thursday.  SEE ALSO: With Daydream, Google's plans to dominate VR become more clear The app will "provide an easier, more immersive way to find and experience virtual reality content on YouTube," Google says.  The app won't be available until Daydream launches later this year (Daydream is expected in the fall, though Google hasn't said whether it will launch with the new YouTube app) but Bavor offered an early look at the new app, which was more immersive than YouTube's existing virtual reality features.  While YouTube already has limited support for VR videos, the new YouTube VR app will also offer an immersive interface for searching and browsing. The app also has many of the same features the current version of YouTube has, including voice search and playlists. Additionally, YouTube is already working with a few content partners, including BuzzFeed , Tastemade and the NBA, to create VR-ready experiences for the new app. But the YouTube VR app won't be limited to 3D content. Any existing YouTube video will be available within the YouTube VR app, including 360-degree videos and YouTube's catalog of "classic" 2D videos.

 

Google is building a cinema-grade VR camera with IMAX
Thu, 19 May 2016 18:07:24 +0100

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Google wants to take VR all the way to Hollywood. Last year the company launched its platform for creating 360-degree video, called Jump, and since then Hollywood studios have come calling, Google's head of VR, Clay Bavor, said at the Google I/O developer conference on Thursday. He also said Google will be working with IMAX to build a cinema-grade VR camera system. Bavor didn't reveal any details of the camera or technology, but presumably it would be a step above the GoPro Odyssey, the first Jump camera, which cobbles together 16 individual GoPros within a Google-designed rig. That camera uses Google tech to stitch together all the footage into high-res 360-degree video with depth. SEE ALSO: Huawei to announce Daydream-ready devices by the end of 2016 That depth is what provides a richer experience when the footage is viewed on a VR headset. Objects appear in 3D, as if they exist in real space, as opposed to seeing a "flat" spherical image. It's not perfect, however — the viewer can't really move around the environment much at all. However, high-end VR camera systems like the Lytro Immerge promise at least a limited space that viewers can move in. Presumably Google's cinematic Jump system would do the same, although the Lytro system isn't in the hands of filmmakers yet either. Google also announced it would partner with Yi, a Chinese action-cam manufacturer, to build an Odyssey-like rig for the company's 4K action camera. Although cinematic VR is in its infancy, consumer 360-degree cameras are already in the hand of consumers. The Ricoh Theta S captures bare-bones 360 footage, and Samsung's Gear 360 is available in Korea and is coming to the U.S. this summer.

 

Google will build its own 'Daydream-ready' VR headset and controller
Thu, 19 May 2016 18:03:44 +0100

Amateur hour is over. Though Google's already got a foothold in virtual reality with Cardboard, the company made it clear it's really serious about VR. At Google I/O, the company announced Daydream, its VR ecosystem. While Google only showed off a reference design for a VR headset and controller for developers to model their own after, Clay Bavor, Google's vice president of VR, confirmed the company will build its very own headset and controller. The company didn't say if development has already started or when it might launch. SEE ALSO: With Daydream, Google's plans to dominate VR become more clear Daydream-ready smartphones will need to meet a stringent set of requirements. They will need to have low latency, sustained performance, head tracking and a VR system UI, according to Google.  These specs will allow users to have an optimal VR experience that won't make them nauseous. Image: google A VR controller with a clickable touchpad, motion sensors and two buttons will also be a requirement for Daydream VR headsets. Reference design VR controller for Daydream. Image: google Eight phone makers will have Daydream-ready smartphones out by the end of the year: Image: google Interestingly enough, Google didn't unveil the long-rumored all-in-one VR headset. The headset was rumored to not require a smartphone or PC to work. It's unclear if Google is still working on this internally and it's just not ready or if it has shifted its strategy to Daydream. BONUS: Google wants to give your car and Android brain

 

Hilarious new video series flawlessly mocks those who say 'girls can't code'
Thu, 19 May 2016 18:02:32 +0100

When it comes to entering a male-dominated field like tech, there's a lot standing in a girl's way. Girls, after all, are just too beautiful and emotional to truly succeed at something as intense as coding, right? If that sounds ridiculous, it's because it is — and Girls Who Code is starting a conversation about these bogus stereotypes. SEE ALSO: To let girls in, the tech industry is thinking pink. But that isn't enough. The nonprofit, which works to close the gender gap in tech, launched a new three-part video series this week called Girls Do Code . Using satire and deadpan humor, the series sheds light on offensive stereotypes surrounding girls in tech, all while highlighting the need to change them. The videos focus on three main topics that, according to misguided popular opinion, keep girls from being successful coders: boobs, beauty and menstruation. "When I'm not menstruating, I'm ovulating, so there's no time to code at all," laments one girl. "I don't even have boobs yet and they still get in the way," another says. "It's crazy." The humor in the videos is silly and shameless, but places much-needed attention on a topic that is anything but laughable. "There are already a ton of inspirational videos about why girls should code," Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, said in a release. "We wanted to try something different ... Our hope is these videos will spark a much-needed conversation about the messages we send our young women, and what we can do to create a more inclusive, well-rounded image of a programmer." Girls are constantly shamed for being "too sensitive" and their bodies labeled "too distracting" to men in school or the workplace. This devaluing of women exists everywhere — but it's especially apparent when looking at the tech industry's gender problem. In middle school, 74% of girls express interest in science, technology, engineering and math. But when choosing a college major, only 0.4% of high school girls choose computer science. By the time they reach college, women make up only 1 in 5 computer science grads. That gap, according to Girls Who Code, starts when adolescent girls are taught — implicitly and explicitly — that coding is too nerdy and too male for them. "These videos may seem absurd, but sadly they're not so off the mark," said Margot Richaud, a Girls Who Code alumna. "As a high school senior, I've had classmates and teachers tell me that coding is not for me, or that I'd be better off focusing on design and making something look pretty.'" Richaud said these comments, plus the stereotypes we see every day, keep a lot of her friends from considering computer science as a career path. But blasting stereotypes around women in tech isn't the only barrier-busting part of the series. Susan Young, group creative director of the campaign, said that the series highlights another misconception about girls. "There's also the notion that girls can't appreciate this kind of humor — also a ridiculous stereotype," she said. According to  Adweek , the campaign may also move to television, depending on donated media. But, for now, you can check out all the humorous and thought-provoking videos here.

 

With Daydream, Google's plans to dominate VR become more clear
Thu, 19 May 2016 17:57:40 +0100

On the second day of Google's annual I/O developer conference, the tech giant dove into greater detail on its virtual reality plans. During I/O's first keynote on Wednesday, Google unveiled Daydream, a VR development platform based on Android that consists of smartphones, a headset and controller, and apps. On Thursday, Google's Daydream got a little more solid. SEE ALSO: Android N gets enhanced VR functions with Daydream "We think VR is amazing," said Clay Bavor, Google's vice president of virtual reality. "We want to bring to everyone in the world." Daydream will set the stage for immersive mobile VR with a strong emphasis on quality-made virtual experiences. Smartphone makers will need to meet standard VR specs — powerful performance, have low latency and have a VR System UI — in order to qualify to be Daydream-ready. Image: google Over a half dozen phone makers plan to release Daydream-ready smartphones by the end of the year. Announced partners include Samsung, HTC, LG, Xiaomi, Huawei, ZTE, Asus and Alcatel. "Creating presence on a smartphone is easier said than done," said Nathan Martz, a product manager at Google. "Great VR experiences require great hardware." But it's not just hardware. Software matters too. "We've worked to make sure Android is a great OS for VR," Martz said.  Image: google Google also unveiled a reference design VR headset that'll work with Daydream-ready smartphones. Presumably, it'll work similarly to Samsung's Gear VR, which has a hatch for smartphones to slot in.  Daydream VR headsets, in theory, should also be lighter since they don't have a built-in touchpad. Instead, users will use a specially designed controller to navigate the VR world. VR controller for Daydream-ready VR headsets. Image: google The VR controller will be used for controlling menus and playing games within VR. The simplistic controller only has two buttons and a clickable touchpad on the top.  The controller also has motion sensors that can detect in which orientation it's being held in. Wii Tennis , but in VR, anyone? Additionally, you can aim it at things like a laser pointer. The Daydream Home VR interface. Image: google A VR version of the Google Play store for users to download and discover VR content will include a motion-intensity rating next to apps — much like Oculus's own VR app store. "Daydream home is your experience launcher, access Play Store and access system settings," said Lindsay Metcalfe, a design manager at Google. Google Streetview VR app. Image: google One example shown onstage was the YouTube VR app. With it, users will be able to watch 360-degree videos in up to 4K resolution. YouTube VR app Image: google Daydream Labs is an experimental VR arm working on all kinds of software experiences (like flipping VR pancakes). Metcalfe says Daydream Labs is currently putting out two experiments a week. Most importantly, Google's VR ambitions will be backed by major content creators and game developers. Here are just a few of the developers that will produce content for Daydream: Image: google Unreal Engine 4, developed by Epic Games, will be one major way for developers to create high-performance and rich VR experiences. "We know Unreal Engine 4 is going to power some incredible and amazing experiences [in Daydream]," said Mark Rein, vice president and co-founder of Epic Games in a video reel presented on stage. Image: google Google also announced the popular game development tool Unity will be a supported on Daydream. "I think VR is going to be driven by mobile," said John Riccitiello, CEO of Unity. "The holodeck will happen. You'll be closer to your nearest and dearest. I'm looking forward to connecting with them in a much more closer way that makes me feel like I'm right there." "We've got 5 million developers — all of them ready to jump onboard." BONUS: A first look at Android Wear 2.0

 

Larry Page spars with Oracle attorney at Android trial
Thu, 19 May 2016 17:21:39 +0100

By Dan Levine SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Google did not pay to use Oracle's software in millions of smartphones, but the company believed that the intellectual property was free for anyone to use, Larry Page, chief executive of Google's parent company, told jurors in court on Thursday. In a retrial at San Francisco federal court, Oracle Corp has claimed Google's Android smartphone operating system violated its copyright on parts of Java, a development platform. Alphabet Inc's Google unit said it should be able to use Java without paying a fee under the fair-use provision of copyright law.

 

Apparently, Audi's self-driving car 'Jack' is a courteous driver
Thu, 19 May 2016 17:16:00 +0100

Audi's A7 is "a research car with social competence".

 

Senators introduce bill to block expansion of FBI hacking authority
Thu, 19 May 2016 16:14:58 +0100

By Dustin Volz WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A small group of bipartisan senators introduced a bill Thursday that would block a pending judicial rule change allowing U.S. judges to issue search warrants for remote access to computers in any jurisdiction, even overseas, arguing the change would expand the FBI's hacking authority. The one-page legislation from Democratic Senator Ron Wyden and Republican Senator Rand Paul would undo the change, adopted by the U.S. Supreme Court in a private vote last month and without congressional involvement, to procedural rules governing the court system. Republican Senator Steve Daines and Democrats Tammy Baldwin and Jon Tester are co-sponsoring the Stopping Mass Hacking Act.

 

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