Entry #10 - October 17th 2013

Police say disgruntled employee behind LA airport dry ice explosions

FOX

Police are suspecting a "disgruntled employee" is behind the explosions of two dry ice bombs at Los Angeles Airport. Deputy Chief Michael Downing says the explosions were not linked to terrorism but to labour disputes. These bombs could have caused serious injury, luckily though no one was hurt. The police are handling this as though they were pipe bombs. The police think that this was carried out by a "disgruntled" employee. The dry ice bombs luckily went off without anyone being in harms way and without anyone near them at the time.

I agree with the police when they say they are treating them as "though they were pipe bombs" because this is in no case acceptable, even if it was over a labour dispute.  I think that the culprit should be convicted for a serious offense because of the severity it could have caused, especially at an airport.  It was lucky that no one was injured and that there were no serious damages to property.  I think that the guilty party should be seriously punished because he could have killed someone.

Entry #9 - October 15th 2013

Amaze project aims to take 3D printing 'into metal age'

BBC

28 institutions have come together to create new metal components which are lighter stronger and cheaper than the conventional parts.  This project is called the AMAZE project, a "loose" acronym for Additive Manufacturing Aiming Towards Zero Waste and Efficient Production of High-Tech products.  3D printers have taken the design of plastic products to the next level.  Printing metal parts would save an enormous amount of waste product and money.  At the AMAZE team's launch on tuesday they unveiled Tungsten alloy components that can under go temperatures of up to 3,000C.  When printing 3D metal parts the company will save so much money and waste they will have enough to get more of a quantity and more quality care in their product.

I think that this is a great idea because it will save money and be more environmentally friendly.  I think that this Product will revolutionize the industry because the parts that are made from this are extremely robust, lightweight, and can withstand extreme temperatures.  If this becomes a success it will help the environment because "to produce one kilo of metal, you use one kilo - not 20 kilos," says Esa's Franco Ongaro.  I agree that this is an important product because it will not only save money by reducing waste but it will reduce fuel costs by being lighter.

Entry #11 - October 21st 2013

Microsoft unfazed by 'lightweight' Apple's iWork software

CTV

Apple has recently released its new productivity suite, iWork. This is supposed to be the main competitor with Microsoft's Office suites. Microsoft simply shrugged this off by saying it was "lightweight" and "has never gotten traction". Microsoft's corporate vice president Frank Shaw defended Microsoft's tablet, the surface, by saying "Surface and Surface 2 both include Office, the world's most popular, most powerful productivity software for free and are priced below both the iPad 2 and iPad Air respectively,".  Microsoft sets themselves apart by offering the highest rated, and highest quality, productivity software for free with their tablets.

I think that Microsoft has the far better product because you are able to have multiple screens running at once and it is free.  Apple's productivity app, iWork, is offered, but at a price.  Although Apple has released that they will now release their new upgrades with iWork for free it is still not the best because it is not as developed and does not offer a multiple screen ability.

Entry #13 - November 12th 2013

Study warns that unmanned drones over Canada could be 'intrusive'

CTV News

The RCMP is thinking of creating some UAV drones, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.  These drones can be used for search and rescue missions, investigating offences and to reconstruct traffic accidents.  The UAV's can be outfitted with cameras but also with a multitude of surveillance equipment, such as thermal cameras to license plate readers.  The RCMP is planning to launch their own fleet of quad copter UAVs.  People are worried however, that the drones will be used for spying on civilians.  The RCMP say that these would be great for search and rescue and for investigating criminals.

I think that the police should get these because it would help keep the people of Canada safe.  If we got these drones it would also make it less dangerous for recon missions, sending in a drone instead of a human.  I know that these could be used for spying on people but what I say is that if you don't want them spying on you then you have something to hide, so unless you have something to hide you shouldn't be afraid.  I also think that the drones would be good for the RCMP's investigations.

Entry #12 - November 4th 2013

Giant mirrors bring winter sunlight to Norwegian village nestled in the mountains

CTV News

The innaguration for the brand new giant mirrors installed in Rjukan is set to be sometime next week, depending on the weather. This small town, in a deep valley, is deprived of sunlight for 6 months every year.  In an effort to bring sunlight into the valley in the winter, the 180 square foot mirrors reflect sunlight down in front of the town hall.  This is remarkable, as the mirrors are able to change angles based on where the sunlight is coming from.

I think that this is a big step for this community.  It will be very good for them to 'get their fill' of sunlight during the winter and they will get their needed vitamin D.  I think that the valley is making us think of more convenient ways to get sunlight into locations, that otherwise, have no sunlight during some seasons.  This is a very big job because not only do the mirrors need to reflect the sunlight but they need to adjust as the earth rotates.  This means a lot of algorithms need to be in place so the sun is not missed as we rotate around it.

Entry #8 - October 7th 2013

Subaru, dog's best friend

BBC

In an effort to keep a good relationship with Subaru's "canine-loving car-shopper's", Subaru of America teamed up with the non-profit Center for Pet Safety to put a group of commercially sold harnesses to the test.  The team created an independent US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration testing laboratory to hold the test of three types of dummy dogs; a 25lb terrier mix, a 45lb border collie and a 75lb golden retriever.

The dummy dogs under went the same type of crash testing that the human dummies under went and I think that this is very realistic.  I also think that this was a smart idea because I am a dog loving person and if I knew that my dog would be safe it would make me feel reassured nothing would happen to them.  I am disappointed though that these harnesses are not made for bigger dogs because I have two Bernese Mountain dogs who are both heavier than a 75lb golden retriever, one is around 90lb and my other one will be around 130-140lb, he is a puppy right now.  Overall I found that the products did not live up to my standards because of the weight restrictions, variety and because of the lack of product integrity.

Entry #7 - October 6th 2013

U.S. government shutdown: Security services stretched thin

CBC News

Recently, on Wednesday, US intelligence officials said "the government shutdown is seriously damaging the intelligence community's ability to guard against threats". They have kept counter terrorism staff at work as well as staff sending information to troops in Afghanistan.  The US Intelligence officials think that the threat will increase daily with fewer spies to track targets.  The director of National intelligence, James R. Clapper, told the US Congress last Wednesday that around 70% of employees have been furloughed.  It does not look like the shutdown will end.  When Clapper was asked to quantify the damage done by the shutdown he said "the risk is 75% higher than it was yesterday, the danger here will accumulate over time. The damage will be insidious, so each day that goes by, the jeopardy increases."

I think that the US intelligence officials are right saying the government shutdown is seriously damaging the community's ability to guard against threats.  I agree with them as this could be a very disabling thing.  Many people are out of work because of this situation.  I think that the government should try and resolve this problem quickly because there are a lot of people in need of jobs.  This will only increase the debt load in the United States even more because of the people that are out of work.

Entry #6 - October 1st 2013

Police defend $140 ticket issued to cheerleader during Western homecoming

CTV News

Last week, at the Western University homecoming a group of cheerleaders started to perform a cheer in the middle of the street on the way to the football game. After performing their cheer they were given a ticket of 140$ by the London police. The ticket said the cheerleaders caused “a nuisance in the street” with their routine. About 250-300 spectators ran out onto the road specifically towards the cheer, which was in the middle of the road. "On-scene officers were quite surprised that cheerleaders would be in such an environment, performing cheers where you're throwing people up in the air and catching people" said Deputy Police chief Brent Shea. On Monday, the university issued a statement about the ticket. “Western’s championship cheerleading team is known the world over for delivering incredible performances. The university believes strongly that an impromptu performance by some of the cheerleaders en route to campus was well-intentioned,” the statement read. Shea said that although police issued 270 tickets during the homecoming celebrations, no one was injured and there were no major incidents other than the large crowd on Broughdale Ave.

I agree that the police had to do something about the cheer leaders but i disagree with the police giving the cheerleaders a ticket for 140$.  I agree with the police, while they had to do something to get the cheerleaders off the road, but do not think that giving them a ticket would help.  I think the police should have tried to corral the people off the road and out of the way, not give a ticket for 140$.  I disagree with the fact that they were given the ticket i think that in all fairness they were trying to build spirit for the homecoming football game and were not at all trying to cause "a nuisance in the street".

Entry #5 - September 30th 2013

Canadians detained in Egypt should be released 'immediately': PMO

CTV News

Recently, on August 16th two Canadian men were arrested in Egypt and detained in a notorious prison.  The Toronto filmmaker, John Greyson and London doctor Tarrek Loubani were detained on August 16th.  While passing through, riots were in the process of happening and when Dr. Loubani and Mr. Greyson came to a checkpoint they were arrested and beaten.  The Prime Minister's Office said "In the absence of charges, Dr. Loubani and Mr. Greyson should be released immediately."  The two men could be held up to two years without having charges laid against them.

I strongly disagree with the Egyptian government holding these two men.  These men were going there to help teach and give assistance with emergency medicine.  I agree that these men should be released, especially with no charges being laid against them as of now.  Also I think that the Canadian government should be putting more pressure on Egypt to release these men.

Entry #4 - September 23rd

Apple Touch ID fingerprint tech 'broken', hackers say

BBC

September 23rd

A hacking group from Germany claims it has "successfully bypassed the bio metric security of Apple's Touch ID using everyday means".  Chaos Computer club has been able to unlock the iPhone 5S by photographing a fingerprint left on a glass surface, and creating a fake finger they were able to unlock the phone.  on Apple's website they state that there is a one in 50,000 chance of two separate finger prints being alike and the technology provides "a very high level of security".  Apple does not suggest that Touch ID is a total replacement for conventional pass code unlocking, just a more convenient way of unlocking. Karsten Nohl, chief scientist at SRLabs, a German hacking think tank, says that Apple's bio metric device is no different from any other bio metric program.  Mr Nohl says that five digit pass codes are safer than the bio metrics unlocking device.

Mr Nohl seems like a very smart man.  I think that he has an opinion that would make you question him, why? Well when someone questions Apple it's like questioning a bunch of really smart people so others will think you are crazy for going against Apple. I agree with mister Nohl in that Apple should have marketed the Touch ID for convenience rather than for security where as it is lacking in that department.  I think that Apple should market for ease of access and as a cool feature not "a very high level of security".

Entry #3 - September 19th 2013

Bumblebee flight inspires 'bad weather robot' design

BBC

18 September

Dr Sridhar Ravi, from Harvard University, records the flight of bumblebees in a wind tunnel.  This allows Dr. Ravi to control the airflow the bees have to contend with.  The researchers said in a paper, they studied bumblebees because they were "all-weather foragers". "The best micro air vehicles today, with a wingspan of less than 25cm long, struggle to fly stable even when in a light breeze."  They recorded the bees with high-speed cameras to capture how the bees reacted and adjusted their flight to the airflow in slow motion.  The tapes show the bees slow down in unsteady winds to allow more energy to be expended on re-correcting and adjusting flight paths.  The scientists said that a better understanding of how natural flyers contend with turbulent wind would help "immensely" in the design of micro-air flyers that flew in adverse weather.

I think that it is very interesting that these scientists are trying to figure out how to get a micro air robot to be able to fly like a natural 'flyer'. I think that because this not only means we will have small tough flying robots but will also mean we have figured out the algorithm to flying like a bumblebee. This will also help in the future to unlocking other techniques of flight, not the conventional thrust and airflow over the wings, for example flapping.

Entry #2 - September 17th

Navy Yard: Aaron Alexis 'treated for mental health'

The 34 year old, Aaron Alexis, was working at a Navy Yard in Washington D.C.  On Monday he came to work and started open firing in a hallway and off of a balcony down at other co-workers in an atrium.  Alexis had a record that was heavy, he was also discharged from the navy.  Alexis was employee of an I.T. contractor which allowed him to have access to the building even after having several encounters with police.  He was reportedly armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a shotgun and a handgun he took from an officer at the scene.  The police chief Cathy Lanier told reporters the gunman was "engaged in shooting with the police" when he died. "there is no question he would have kept shooting,"

I think that it is absurd that they would allow a man with this record to have clearance to the building.  I also think that it is awful that he could purchase the weapons from the weapons dealer even after having mental health issues.  I think that Aaron Alexis should not have had access to the federal building in the first place because it was a Navy Yard, and he was discharged "under a cloud".

Entry 1 - September 11 2013

Syria crisis: Barrack Obama puts military strike on hold

September 11th, 2013BBC News

This article is mainly about how Barrack Obama has decided to hold all US military strikes against Syria.  The Syrian Prime minister Bashar al-Assad has admitted to having chemical weapons, the attack involving chemical weapons on august 21st of this year, and has agreed to abide by a Russian plan to hand them over.

I think that Obama has made the right decision by holding on military action because the prime minister of Syria has been co-operating with Russia's plans.  Why the Syrian's would be manufacturing chemical weapons is very intimidating because the UN has passed a law that no country is allowed to develop chemical weapons because of the severity. This is intimidating because of what has happened to people and soldiers in the past from these arsenals.