Sci-Tech

US startup eyes next generation of burgers with relish

by Rob Lever Agence France Presse LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) — Can a “high-tech” burger help save the planet? In one sense, it’s just a patty made from plant protein. But the founders of California-based Impossible Foods argue the product can have a big impact by reducing the amount of land needed for beef and other livestock production. Impossible Foods, which began in 2011, chose the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to launch […]

High-tech border wall plan on display at CES

LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) — The same technology used in self-driving cars is being touted as a potential high-tech solution to the US border wall conundrum — with some added benefits. At least one startup at the Consumer Electronics show is showcasing how Lidar, a laser-based detection system widely used in autonomous vehicles, could be deployed along the US-Mexico border at a far lower cost than a physical wall or fence, and with fewer […]

Breadmaking robot startup eyes fresh connections

LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) — The robot bread-maker came to Las Vegas this week, aiming to bring some freshness to a sector that may be ready for disruption. Wilkinson Baking Company unveiled its BreadBot at the Consumer Electronics Show, a machine that mixes and bakes up to 235 loaves a day. Chief executive Randall Wilkinson said the device can lower costs and produce fresher breads than are available in most American supermarkets. “Consumers want […]

In space, the US sees a rival in China

by Ivan Couronne Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — During the Cold War, US eyes were riveted on the Soviet Union’s rockets and satellites. But in recent years, it has been China’s space programs that have most worried US strategists. China, whose space effort is run by the People’s Liberation Army, today launches more rockets into space than any other country — 39 last year, compared to 31 by the United States, 20 […]

China lands probe on far side of moon: state TV

BEIJING, China (AFP) — A Chinese lunar rover landed on the far side of the moon on Thursday, in a global first that boosts Beijing’s ambitions to become a space superpower. The Chang’e-4 probe touched down and sent a photo of the so-called “dark side” of the moon to the Queqiao satellite, which will relay communications to controllers on Earth, state broadcaster CCTV said. Beijing is pouring billions into its military-run space program, with hopes […]

Global tech show to celebrate innovation amid mounting concerns

by Rob Lever / with Julie Charpentrat and Glenn Chapman in San Francisco Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Amid trade wars, geopolitical tensions and a decline in public trust, the technology sector is seeking to put its problems aside with the Consumer Electronics Show, the annual extravaganza showcasing futuristic innovations. The January 8-11 Las Vegas trade event offers a glimpse into new products and services designed to make people’s lives easier, fun and […]

NASA spacecraft survives risky encounter with faraway world

TAMPA, United States (AFP) — An unmanned NASA spacecraft sent a signal back to Earth Tuesday that it successfully made it through a risky flyby past the most distant planetary object ever studied, the US space agency said. “We have a healthy spacecraft,” said Alice Bowman, missions operations manager for the New Horizons spacecraft, which zipped by Ultima Thule at 12:33 am (0533 GMT) on New Year’s Day. “We have just accomplished the most distant […]

NASA spaceship zooms toward farthest world ever photographed

by Kerry SHERIDAN Agence France Presse TAMPA, United States (AFP) — A NASA spaceship is zooming toward the farthest, and quite possibly the oldest, cosmic body ever photographed by humankind, a tiny, distant world called Ultima Thule some four billion miles (6.4 billion kilometers) away. The US space agency will ring in the New Year with a live online broadcast to mark historic flyby of the mysterious object in a dark and frigid region of […]

Russian, US and German astronauts land back on Earth

MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — A Soyuz spacecraft ferrying Russian, German and US astronauts from the International Space Station landed safely on Thursday in Kazakhstan, Russia’s space agency said. “There’s been a landing… The crew of the manned Soyuz MS-09 has returned safely to Earth after 197 days,” Roscosmos said on Twitter. The spacecraft carrying Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency, NASA’s Serena Aunon-Chancellor and Sergey Prokopyev of Roscosmos landed slightly ahead of schedule at […]

Elon Musk’s SpaceX set to raise $500 mn: report

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX plans to raise $500 million to help launch its satellite internet service, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. SpaceX will garner the funds from existing shareholders and a new investor, Baillie Gifford & Co, a Scottish money management firm that is also a major shareholder in the Musk-led Tesla Motors. The new funding round lifts SpaceX’s valuation to $30.5 billion, the newspaper reported. SpaceX […]

Civil rights groups call for Facebook to purge Zuckerberg from board

  by Glenn CHAPMAN Agence France Presse SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Dozens of civil rights groups on Tuesday called on Facebook to purge Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg from its board for blunders including “weaponizing anti-Semitism.” Advocacy and rights group took direct aim at Zuckerberg and Sandberg for Facebook enlisting Definers Public Affairs to conduct research on company critics. “You retained the services of Definers Public Affairs to investigate, undermine and attack our […]

Google joins tech move east, to invest $1 bn in New York campus

by Rob Lever Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Google became the latest US tech giant to announce a major expansion plan, unveiling a $1 billion investment Monday to create a new campus that could double its New York City workforce to 14,000. The move by Google comes following Amazon’s announcement of new headquarters sites in New York and suburban Washington DC worth some $5 billion, and Apple’s $1 billion expansion to Texas and […]