Mapping urban farming
A Geographical Information System (GIS) is being used to map vegetable production in the greater Bangkok region, seat of Thailand’s capital, to analyze how urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) contribute to food security in the city of more than 14 million.
Aussie scientists develop paper that tells blood type
A team of scientists from Monash University in Australia has developed a paper that can tell a person’s blood type in text. When blood touches the paper, its antigen reacts with the sensor and clots. The letter corresponding to the blood type then appears.
Court bars Microsoft from selling products in Germany
U.S. communications firm Motorola Mobility on Wednesday won a patent infringement case in Germany against Internet giant Microsoft.
Giants want to retain Osi Umenyiora; defensive end has doubts
AHN Sports Staff NY, NY, United States (AHN Sports) – The New York Giants are saying they have offered defensive end Osi Umenyiora an extension each of the last two offseasons in an effort to keep the superstar in the Big Apple. “Our first choice with respect to Osi is that he will play for the Giants and retire a Giant,” Reese said. “That is what we would like to happen. Osi has been offered an extension two years in a row now, so we would still like to make it work. Hopefully, it will work out.” Umenyiora, who racked up 9 sacks last season and has 69 on his career, said doubts the team will be able to afford to retain his services, however. “Would I want to (stay)? I think it would be ideal,” Umenyiora said on Wednesday while promoting the NFL Play 60 Youth Football game for Xbox 360 Kinect. “I think I would if things could be worked out. But is that going to happen? I really don’t think so.” “I doubt it because of the situation that they have with Jason (Pierre-Paul), Justin (Tuck), Victor (Cruz) and Hakeem (Nicks) coming up (eventually),” Umenyiora added. “I feel like I’m one of the very good pass-rushers in the NFL; I think my statistics have proven that. Are they going to be able to pay me as such? I seriously doubt that.” Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
Three astronauts from Space Station return after 163 days in space
Diane Alter – AHN News Reporter Houston, TX, United States (AHN) – After 163 days in space, two Russians and an American astronaut have returned safely to Earth. A Soyuz capsule carrying Anton Shkaplerov, Anatoly Ivanishin and Daniel Burbank successfully undocked from the International Space Station Friday morning. NASA tweeted, “Soyuz capsule lands safely at 7:45 a.m. EDT on the steppe of Kazakhstan. All 3 crew members are safe and adjusting to gravity.” NASA televised images of the capsule, carried by a parachute, and swaying as it floated gently downward amid picture-perfect clear blue skies, with vehicles driving to the landing spot. The landing went off without a hitch and hit almost exactly were it was projected to land. During their stay in orbit, the astronauts on Expedition 30, carrying supplies, researched how weightlessness impacts the human body and which materials best perform in space environments. The astronauts will now help prepare for the arrival of the first commercial cargo shipment to the space station. The Space Exploration Technologies Corp., better known as SpaceX. launched its Dragon capsule from Cape Canaveral on April 30. It marks the first time a private company has launched space station supplies. In mid May, Expedition 31 will take three more astronauts up into orbit. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
Pakistan test fires ballistic missile; Sparks fear of escalating South Asian arms race
AHN News Staff Islamabad, Pakistan (AHN) – Less than a week after India joined the group of elite countries with the launch of long range missile, Pakistan on Wednesday successfully test fired a ballistic missile, which has capabilities to carry nuclear weapons. Defense analyst and retired General Talat Masood said that the missile would be able to hit India easily as it could reach up to 3,000 kms. “Pakistan today successfully conducted the launch of the intermediate range ballistic missile Hatf IV Shaheen-1A weapon system,” the military said in a statement. The military said that the missile was Shaheen-1′s improved version and could carry nuclear and conventional warheads. “This is part of Pakistan’s program to develop nuclear and missile deterrence. It has a series of missiles in its inventory. This is perhaps the longest range missile in its program,” retired general Masood told AFP. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
Italy introduces Europe’s first private high-speed train
AHN News Staff Rome, Italy (AHN) – In an effort to put country’s economy back on tracks, Italy has introduced Europe’s first private high-speed train – an alternative to the state-run rail services. Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo-owned NTV runs the dark-red bullet-shaped “Italo” trains, which include cinema carriage, panoramic windows and leather seats. In its first trip from capital Rome to Naples, an NTV spokesman said that the competition has begun with the arrival of Italo. Explaining it further, he said, Montezemolo expects to take a quarter of the market from Italy’s biggest employer Trenitalia, which has been enjoying monopoly in this sector all these years. Talking to reporters, Montezemolo said, “We’re talking a lot about growth. This is real growth for the country by someone who invests and takes a risk.” He added that his company had made an investment of EUR 1 billion ($1.3 billion). “We should be proud of being the first in Europe with a private high-speed train company,” said the entrepreneur. “This is a day that shows we have confidence in our country,” he said. Montezemolo and luxury shoemaker Tod’s head Diego Della Valle jointly hold the majority stake, while France’s national rail company SNCF owns 20% stake in the company. Another French company Alstom produced the carriages of the train. Disclosing company’s strategies, Montezemolo said that they would aim for up to 25% stake in the market within next two years and hopes to transport nine million passengers by 2015. He added that NTV would operate up to 25 trains by January next year. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
Philips launches energy-efficient LED bulb that lasts 20 years
AHN News Staff Washington, United States (AHN) – The United States on Sunday launched super energy saving LED bulb, which lasts for 20 years, on the occasion of World Earth Day. The bulb, which is manufactured by Dutch electronics giant Philips, won the US Department of Energy’s “Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize”. The company said that the bulbs are available online and on stores at a starting cost of $50. Philips was also planning to sell bulbs at a discounted price of $20. “Because the new bulb is 83 percent more energy efficient than the standard 60-watt incandescent, consumers can now experience new savings for their pocketbooks,” Philips’ North America executive Ed Crawford said. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
Iran on way to make its own copy of captured U.S. drone RQ-170 Sentinel
AHN News Staff Tehran, Iran (AHN) – Iran on Sunday claimed that it has figured out the secrets of RQ-170 Sentinel, a highly advanced U.S.’ stealth aircraft, and that its scientists are on the way to make a copy of their own. The American RQ-170 Sentinel had crashed on Iranian soil last December and Tehran had claimed that the aircraft breached its country’s airspace. Iran’s military aerospace chief General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said, “The Americans should be aware to what extent we have infiltrated the plane. Speaking to Fars News Agency, Gen Hajizadeh said Iran sees this plane as a national capital but their words would not disclose all the information very easily. “Yet, I provide four cues in here to let the Americans know how deep we could penetrate into (the intelligence systems and devices of) this drone,” he added. Senior military officer claim they found that some of the drone’s parts were transferred for technical works to California in October two years ago. Later, it was transferred to Kandahar province in Afghanistan a month later during which it experienced some technical flaws, which could not be resolved. In December 2010, the aircraft returned to Los Angeles for tests on its censors and parts where it had several test flights. Mocking Pentagon’s claim that Iran could never be able to access drone’s hidden memory, Hajizadeh said that the drone had flown over Al-Qaeda Leader Osama bin Laden’s hideout just two weeks before his death in Pakistani city of Abottabad. Responding to Iran’s claims, U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman said that he has doubts on the Islamic Republic’s claims of copying building the drone. “There is some history of Iranian bluster particularly now when they’re on the defensive because of our economic sanctions against them,” Lieberman told Fox News Sunday. He added that Iranians are being defensive in the wake of economic sanctions against them. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
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