Google is donating £7.5m ($11.5m) in grants to fight modern slavery and its hold on 27 million people worldwide. The donation by the technology giant is believed to be one of the largest corporate initiatives ever to fight slavery. Google said on its charitable website that its grants will “free more than 12,000 people from [...]
Tag: technology
December 15, 2011
December 14, 2011
VIDEO: Tech war: New York v San Francisco
Silicon Valley has been a synonym for entrepreneurial spirit in the technology sector, serving as headquarters for Apple, Google and Facebook. But now New York is vying for the next big tech company to be based in the Big Apple. The BBC’s Franz Strasser and Matt Danzico spoke to entrepreneurs on either side of the [...]
December 14, 2011
Ban drivers from using cellphones at the wheel, US urged
US safety investigators have called for a nationwide ban on texting and cell phone use while driving, a prohibition that would include certain applications of hands-free technology becoming more common in new cars. The National Transportation Safety Board recommendation goes beyond measures proposed or imposed to date by US regulators and states, most of which [...]
December 13, 2011
Police to test laser that ‘blinds rioters’
December 13, 2011 by legitgov ShareThis Police to test laser that ‘blinds rioters’ –Similar devices have been used by ISAF troops in Afghanistan to protect convoys from insurgents. 11 Dec 2011 A shoulder-mounted laser that emits a blinding wall of light capable of repelling rioters is to be trialled by police. The technology, developed by [...]
December 13, 2011
VIDEO: Tech war: New York vs San Francisco
Silicon Valley has been a synonym for entrepreneurial spirit in the technology sector, serving as headquarters for Apple, Google and Facebook. But now New York is vying for the next big tech company to be based in the Big Apple. The BBC’s Franz Strasser and Matt Danzico spoke to entrepreneurs on either side of the [...]
December 11, 2011
China WTO Anniversary Marked by Progress, Challenges
It was 10 years ago this Sunday, Dec. 11th, when China joined the World Trade Organization. Since then, the country has grown to become the world’s second largest economy and millions of Chinese have been lifted out of extreme poverty. But while China made dramatic reforms after joining the global trade club, analysts say the [...]
December 11, 2011
Clinton warns of bioweapon threat from gene tech
December 10, 2011 by legitgov ShareThis Clinton warns of bioweapon threat from gene tech 08 Dec 2011 New gene assembly technology that offers great benefits for scientific research could also be used by [pharma-]terrorists to create biological weapons, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton warned Wednesday. Experts have warned that the increasing ease with [...]
December 10, 2011
Iranian Video Displays Alleged US Drone
The Iranian government has complained to the United Nations about a U.S. spy drone it says was brought down over eastern Iran this week. Iran accuses the U.S. of violating Iranian airspace and has released video of what Tehran says is the spy plane in question. Iranian state TV released images late Thursday of what [...]
December 9, 2011
Bill Gates Teams With China on New Nuclear Reactor
Microsoft founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has teamed with China to jointly develop a new type of nuclear reactor, which would be better for the environment and reduce the need for uranium enrichment and reprocessing. Gates says the traveling wave reactor technology is low-cost, very safe and will generate little waste. He spoke at [...]
December 8, 2011
African Group Narrows Focus in Durban
African delegates at United Nations climate talks in South Africa have narrowed their focus on two key priorities, as time runs out for negotiators to agree on any major deals to combat climate change. The African Group at the COP17 climate conference is continuing to push for a second commitment period to the Kyoto Protocol, [...]
December 6, 2011
US ‘concerned’ about drone loss
6 December 2011 Last updated at 03:19 GMT Media reports identified the aircraft as an RQ-170 Sentinal drone US officials have expressed concern at the loss of a drone near Iran’s eastern border with Afghanistan. A Pentagon spokesman said the US were worried especially as the unmanned aircraft was “in a place where we’re not [...]
November 29, 2011
Lauded US marine sues BAE Systems
29 November 2011 Last updated at 19:48 GMT Sgt Meyers received the Medal of Honor for actions near the Pakistan border in Afghanistan A highly decorated US Marine says a manager at defence contractor BAE Systems called him “mentally unstable” and alleged he had a drink problem. Sgt Dakota Meyer, 23, is suing BAE for [...]
November 18, 2011
On the heels of Avatar, directors turn increasingly to 3D
Next Friday marks the release of Martin Scorsese’s Hugo, a 3D adaptation of Brian Selznick’s novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Set in 1930s Paris, Hugo Cabret is a thief and an orphan, living in the walls of a train station. Though the story has some fantastical elements, it’s not your classic 3D fodder. Likewise, [...]
November 18, 2011
US panel to probe Chinese firms
18 November 2011 Last updated at 05:22 GMT Huawei is one of the largest makers of network switching equipment US legislators have launched a probe into Chinese telecom firms amid growing concerns over cyber espionage. The US House intelligence committee said the investigation would look into whether the expansion of these firms in the US [...]