Transparent computer SpaceTop 3D that allows users to reach inside and touch digital content has been unveiled at the TED (Technology, Education and Design) conference in Los Angeles. TED fellow Jinha Lee has been working on the SpaceTop 3D desktop in collaboration with Microsoft. Allowing people to interact with machines in the same way they… Continue reading SpaceTop 3D: first see-through desktop unveiled at TED 2013
Year: 2013
The myth of working from home
Yahoo has decided to ban its staff from “remote” working. After years of many predicting working from home as the future for everybody, why is it not the norm? When a memo from human resources dropped into the inbox of Yahoo staff banning them from working from home it prompted anger from many of its… Continue reading The myth of working from home
Russia finds horsemeat in sausages imported from Austria
Russian officials say horsemeat has been detected in sausages advertised as pork and imported from Austria. The Russian agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said the sausages contained both horse and poultry DNA. A spokesman said the company that supplied the meat had been struck off a list of approved suppliers. Horsemeat was first found in meals and… Continue reading Russia finds horsemeat in sausages imported from Austria
Rachel McAdams and Michael Sheen split after two years of relationship
Rachel McAdams and Michael Sheen have decided to end their relationship after two years together. Rachel McAdams and Michael Sheen, who went public with their romance in October 2010, are said to have called time on their romance, according to Usmagazine.com. Rachel McAdams, 34, and 44-year-old British actor Michael Sheen first met when they worked… Continue reading Rachel McAdams and Michael Sheen split after two years of relationship
Oscar Pistorius holds private memorial service for Reeva Steenkamp
Oscar Pistorius’ family said on Tuesday that the athlete held a private memorial service for Reeva Steenkamp at his uncle Arnold’s home in Pretoria, where he has been staying since he was freed on bail. His family has asked for privacy but confirmation of the memorial service came after a leak in the media, Sky News… Continue reading Oscar Pistorius holds private memorial service for Reeva Steenkamp
Rudyard Kipling unpublished poems discovered
More than 50 unpublished poems by Rudyard Kipling have been discovered by a US scholar. Thomas Pinney found the manuscripts in a number of places including a Manhattan House that was being renovated and among the papers of a former head of the Cunard Line. He described it as a “tremendously exciting time for scholars… Continue reading Rudyard Kipling unpublished poems discovered
Stephane Hessel dies at the age of 95
Writer Stephane Hessel, the former French Resistance fighter whose 2010 manifesto Time for Outrage inspired social protesters, has died at the age of 95. Stephane Hessel died overnight, his wife Christiane Hessel-Chabry told France’s AFP news agency in Paris. A German by birth, Stephane Hessel was imprisoned in Nazi camps during World War II for… Continue reading Stephane Hessel dies at the age of 95
Pope Benedict XVI final general audience gathers thousands of pilgrims in St Peter’s Square
Thousands of pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican for Pope Benedict XVI’s final general audience. The Pope has admitted he faced “choppy waters” during his eight years at the helm of the Roman Catholic Church, but says he was guided by God and felt his presence every day. Pope Benedict XVI, 85,… Continue reading Pope Benedict XVI final general audience gathers thousands of pilgrims in St Peter’s Square
Three people shot dead at Kronospan wood processing plant near Lucerne
Three people have been killed and seven injured in Switzerland during a shooting at a factory near the city of Lucerne, local media quote officials as saying. The killer is among the dead, police and prosecutors are reported as saying. Shooting broke out in the canteen at the Kronospan wood processing plant in the town… Continue reading Three people shot dead at Kronospan wood processing plant near Lucerne
Reeva Steenkamp was not pregnant, says her family
Reeva Steenkamp’s family has categorically denied that she was pregnant when Oscar Pistorius shot and killed her. The National Enquirer reported earlier this week that Reeva Steenkamp told Oscar Pistorius that she was pregnant to placate him after he accused her of cheating on him. But today family spokesman Mike Steenkamp denied the reports were… Continue reading Reeva Steenkamp was not pregnant, says her family
Stretchy battery can be pulled to three times its size without a loss in performance
Researchers have demonstrated a flat, “stretchy” battery that can be pulled to three times its size without a loss in performance. While flexible and stretchable electronics have been on the rise, powering them with equally stretchy energy sources has been problematic. The new idea in Nature Communications uses small “islands” of energy-storing materials dotted on… Continue reading Stretchy battery can be pulled to three times its size without a loss in performance
Shark attack kills man off Muriwai Beach in New Zealand
A great white shark has killed a man off Muriwai Beach near the New Zealand city of Auckland. The attack took place around 13:30 local time on Wednesday at Muriwai Beach, to the west of the country’s largest city. The 47-year-old man was swimming when he was attacked. Police shot at the shark before it disappeared,… Continue reading Shark attack kills man off Muriwai Beach in New Zealand
Budweiser fans file $5 million lawsuit against Anheuser-Busch over watering down its beer
Beer drinkers in the US have filed a $5 million lawsuit accusing Anheuser-Busch of watering down its beer. The lawsuits, filed in Pennsylvania, California and other states, claim consumers have been cheated out of the alcohol content stated on beer labels. The suit involves 10 Anheuser-Busch beers including Budweiser and Michelob. Anheuser-Busch InBev have called… Continue reading Budweiser fans file $5 million lawsuit against Anheuser-Busch over watering down its beer
DSK fails to ban Marcela Iacub’s book
A judge in France has rejected a lawsuit filed by former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn which sought to stop the publication of a book written by his former lover Marcela Iacub. Beauty And Beast (Belle et Bete) outlines Marcela Iacub’s fictionalized account of her affair with DSK. Although it can now be published, the book… Continue reading DSK fails to ban Marcela Iacub’s book
China open letter urges Beijing to ratify international human rights treaty
China’s most prominent activists, scholars and journalists have released an open letter urging leaders to implement political reforms, for the second time in three months. More than 100 people signed the open letter urging Beijing to ratify an international human rights treaty. The letter was posted on several prominent Chinese websites and blogs. It comes… Continue reading China open letter urges Beijing to ratify international human rights treaty
EU ministers agree to end the controversial practice of dumping unwanted fish
European Union fisheries ministers have agreed to phase out the controversial practice of dumping unwanted fish. After a tense all-night meeting, ministers said a ban on “discards” should be phased in, starting in January 2014 for certain types of fish. Ministers agreed some exemptions to the ban – but the European Parliament may still refuse… Continue reading EU ministers agree to end the controversial practice of dumping unwanted fish
Elba Esther Gordillo, Mexico’s most powerful woman, arrested on corruption charges
Elba Esther Gordillo, known as Mexico’s most powerful woman, has been arrested on corruption charges. Elba Esther Gordillo, who runs the 1.5 million-member Mexican teachers’ union, is alleged to have diverted about $200 million from union funds to personal accounts. No-one from her legal team has responded to the allegations, but in the past Elba… Continue reading Elba Esther Gordillo, Mexico’s most powerful woman, arrested on corruption charges
Chuck Hagel confirmed as new US Defense Secretary
Former Senator Chuck Hagel has been confirmed by the US Senate as the new Pentagon chief, after four Republicans joined Democrats to approve his nomination. The former Republican Nebraska senator was confirmed by 58-41. Chuck Hagel will replace outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who was confirmed by 100-0 in June 2011. Two weeks ago, Republicans… Continue reading Chuck Hagel confirmed as new US Defense Secretary
Titanic II: Clive Palmer unveils plans for perfect replica of doomed vessel
Titanic II, the sequel to the doomed liner that sank 100 years ago, was announced on Tuesday – after its designer claimed it would be the “most safe cruise ship in the world” with ample lifeboats. With hubris akin to that of the 1912 original, Markku Kanerva said that “from a safety perspective” there was… Continue reading Titanic II: Clive Palmer unveils plans for perfect replica of doomed vessel
Verdesse: green coffee pill promises to help suppress appetite and to encourage fat burning
Verdesse, the new A-list diet aid of choice, is a green coffee pill, which is believed to help suppress the appetite as well as encouraging fat burning. Already believed to be using the pills are Demi Moore, Jennifer Lopez and Katy Perry, while the rest of the Los Angeles glitterati are set to follow suit Verdesse… Continue reading Verdesse: green coffee pill promises to help suppress appetite and to encourage fat burning
Italy deadlock creates confusion in Europe
European markets and politicians have reacted anxiously after Italy’s general election produced a stalemate between centre-right and centre-left blocs. France and Germany urged continued reform, while Spain described the result as a “jump to nowhere”. Italian markets fell sharply while others in Europe and around the world opened down. Centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi said fresh… Continue reading Italy deadlock creates confusion in Europe
Donkey meat sold as beef in South Africa
A study published by South Africa’s Stellenbosch University found that donkey, water buffalo and goat meat have been sold as burgers and sausages in South Africa. The study found that 99 of 139 samples contained species not declared in the product label. It found soya and gluten were not labelled in 28% of products tested,… Continue reading Donkey meat sold as beef in South Africa
Pippa Middleton gets food column in Waitrose Kitchen magazine
There’s a world of difference between Delia Smith and Pippa Middleton when it comes to tips about food, but that hasn’t stopped Waitrose ditching the former and giving the latter her own column in its magazine. Pippa’s Friday Night Feasts will advise on the best meals to start the weekend off with friends. “It will… Continue reading Pippa Middleton gets food column in Waitrose Kitchen magazine
Het Arresthuis prison transformed into luxury hotel
Het Arresthuis was one of the Netherlands’ most feared prisons for almost 150 years, but following its closure and something of a makeover, it has been transformed into a luxury hotel. The 105 prisoner’s quarters have been converted into 40 spacious rooms, including 24 standard rooms, 12 deluxe rooms, and four suites, all of which… Continue reading Het Arresthuis prison transformed into luxury hotel
Pope Benedict XVI will be known as “pope emeritus” and will retain the honorific “His Holiness” after resignation
Vatican officials announced today that Pope Benedict XVI will be known as “pope emeritus” and will retain the honorific “His Holiness” after he abdicates on Thursday. He will also continue to be known by his papal title of Benedict XVI, rather than reverting to Josef Ratzinger. Pope Benedict will wear his distinctive white cassock without… Continue reading Pope Benedict XVI will be known as “pope emeritus” and will retain the honorific “His Holiness” after resignation