US police shootings: Obama urges unity amid racial tension

US police shootings: Obama urges unity amid racial tension

Thursday, July 14, 2016 /

Image copyrightABC

US President Barack Obama has urged police and communities to come together, saying it should not be "us versus them", in a town hall meeting on race and policing.

Mr Obama and ABC News held the forum amid an increase in racial tensions in the US in recent weeks.

Last week a gunman killed five Dallas police at a Black Lives Matter protest.

Micah Xavier Johnson told police he was angry after recent shooting deaths of black men at the hands of officers.

Alton Sterling was killed by police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on 5 July. A day later, Philando Castile was shot and killed during a traffic stop outside Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Videos of both shootings were widely publicised.

"I don't want a generation of young people to grow up thinking either that they have to mistrust the police or alternatively, that the police who are doing a good job and out there... that they're constantly at risk not just from criminals but also because the community mistrusts them," Mr Obama said.

He added: "It's going to require all of us not to close ourselves off and go to corners but rather require us to come together and listen to each other."

Image copyrightABC

Image captionMr Obama took questions from people directly affected by the recent violence

Guests in the town hall meeting included Sterling's 15-year-old son, Cameron, and Castile's girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds - who ​live streamed​ the aftermath of Castile's shooting.

Mr Obama tried to bridge the divide between police and the black community.

He empathised with victims of police violence but also acknowledged that police face huge challenges - challenges they can't handle alone.

"It is absolutely true that the murder rate in the African-American community is way out of whack compared to the general population," Mr Obama said in response to a question from Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn.

"We can't put the burden on police alone," Mr Obama said. "It is going to require investments in those communities."

Rare personal account

Mr Obama also offered a rare personal account about how he has been affected by racism.

He talked about how, when he was a child growing up in Hawaii, a female neighbour once refused to go in a lift with him.

She was just "worried about riding the elevator with me," Mr Obama said.

He said that sense of being feared as a black man continued as he grew older.

"Over time you start learning as you're crossing the street, suddenly the locks start going on doors," Mr Obama said.

In one tense exchange, Texas Lt Governor Dan Patrick - who has been critical of the Black Lives Matter movement and the president - pressed Mr Obama on his commitment to law enforcement.

Mr Obama insisted that it was possible to be critical of police while still being supportive.

"We shouldn't get too caught up in this notion that somehow people who are asking for fair treatment are somehow automatically anti-police," the president said.

15 Nutritious Fruits To Eat During Pregnancy

15 Nutritious Fruits To Eat During Pregnancy

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Image: Shutterstock

Diet is of foremost importance in your pregnancy. A very important part of your diet should be fruits and vegetables; these should form a massive chunk of your everyday meal. Eating healthy food rich in vitamins, fiber and minerals takes care of your unborn baby’s complete nutrition as well as your health.

Importance Of Fruits In Your Diet:

Fruits are an important food group that you need to incorporate into your routine diet. Fruits provide you and your baby with important nutrients like beta carotene that helps in developing the tissue and cell development, while laying foundation for a stronger immune system. The vitamin C present in fruits is vital for progress of teeth and bones, while folic acid helps prevent the fetal growth defects.

The rich fiber found in fruits; help you to steer clear of issues such as constipation and formation of hemorrhoids. The following are the best fruits during pregnancy.

Click here to view an enlarged version of this infographic.

Here are the different kinds of fruits you can eat during your pregnancy. These are all very healthy for your baby’s development and will provide you with ample nutrition and energy.Your diet should include following fruits during pregnancy.

1. Apricots:

Apricots are tasty and are consumed as drupe fruits, where both the kernel and the flesh are edible.

• Apricots contain Vitamin A, C, E, Beta Carotene, Phosphorus, Silicon, Calcium, Iron and Potassium.
• They come loaded with all the super nutrients that assist in the healthy development of your baby.
• They are a rich source of iron, which is important to prevent anemia.
• You can consume up to 2 to 4 apricots every day.

2. Cherries:

Cherries are a great source of Vitamin C.

• While pregnant, you will require sufficient amount of Vitamin C to fight infections such as common cold and rashes.
• Eating cherries also helps in efficient blood supply to the placenta and the baby.
• Cherries also come packed with Melatonin, a powerful antioxidant hormone that helps in stimulating the cell growth while your belly stretches during pregnancy.
• Experts say that melatonin helps you to get a good night sleep with its powerful anti-stress inducing factor.

3. Grapes:

Grapes can be your healthy snacking option during the pregnancy period.

• Grapes are full of essential nutrients such as glucose, fructose, pholbaphene, galic acid, silicic acid, oxalic acid, pectin, magnesium, calcium, iron, folic acid and vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, A, C, P, PP, K.
• This fruit also rich in other important enzymes.

4. Guava:

The good old guava is a tropical fruit that you will mostly love biting into while you are pregnant. Most women also report having guava cravings.

• Guava is mostly a mommy’s food, helping to regulate your immune system and blood pressure during pregnancy.
• Guava comes rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Iso-flavonoids, Carotenoids and Polyphenols.
• The fruit helps in easy digestion while providing strength to your growing baby’s central nervous system.

5. Kiwi:

Kiwis are ripe and tasty.

• They come with important nutrients like Vitamin C, E, A, Potassium, Phosporus, Magnesium, Folic Acid and dietary fiber.
• Kiwis are known to have healing effects on human respiratory system.
• You are less likely to be affected by cough, cold and wheezing if you eat kiwis every day.
• The fruit helps in lesser blood clotting because of its richness in phosphorus content.
• Kiwi also felicitates easy absorption of iron.

6. Apple:

Having apple helps in many ways.

• It enhances the immunity and strength of your baby.
• There is reduced risk of wheezing, asthma and eczema in your child in his later stages of life if you take apple during your pregnancy.
• Apples are rich in Vitamins A, E, D and Zinc.

7. Mango:

If you are one of those women who crave for mangoes in their pregnancy, we suggest you go right ahead.

• Mango contains heavy amounts of Vitamin C required to regulate your digestion, reduce constipation and relieve you from minor infections.
• The fruit is available only in summer, so if you are due around that time, make sure include this delicious seasonal fruit.

8. Pear:

There is a lot of confusion about whether pears are good to be consumed during pregnancy or not, so we suggest you definitely check with your doctor before having.

• Pears contain high amounts of folate or folic acid, ideal for would be moms.
• Folic acid is vital to prevent neural tube defects in growing babies during the pre-natal stage.

9. Strawberries:

Just like cherries, strawberries are a great snacking delight.

• While you can indulge in a bowl of strawberries any time of the day, the delicious fruit keeps you nourished with great amounts of vitamins and fiber.
• Just like mangoes, strawberries are high on folate content.
• There are other nutrients such as manganese and potassium that aid in the growth of stronger bones for your baby.

10. Watermelon:

Watermelon is a rich source of Vitamin A, C, B6, Magnesium and Potassium.

• Loaded with minerals, it is also rich in fiber ideal for pregnant conditions.
• Watermelon also helps ward off that queasy feeling during morning sickness.
• In your last trimester, watermelon helps reduce heart burn, swelling in your hands and feet, reduces muscle cramps and keeps you hydrated.
• It is an essential addition to your pregnancy diet.

• 11. Blueberries:

  Consumption of blueberries should be avoided in excessive quantities.
  • One cup of blueberries contains 114 milligrams of potassium, very vital for regulating your blood pressure.
  • Blueberries also have Vitamin C, folate, calcium and fiber.
  • The best way to consume blueberries is to add them with breakfast such as corn flakes and other cereals.

  12. Chikoo (sapodilla):

  Chikoo is very good during pregnancy.
  • Chikoo is full of electrolytes, Vitamin A, carbohydrates and energy, perfect for lactating mothers as well.
  • Chikoo has multiple health benefits for expectant moms.
  • Apart from helping you cope with dizziness and nausea, chikoo also prevents conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
  • The fruit also helps improve the production of collagen, while fighting stomach related disorders like diarrhea and dysentery.

  13. Banana:

  Bananas are one of the healthiest foods to have during pregnancy.
  • Bananas have folate, vitamin C, B6, potassium, magnesium, etc.
  • The folate does its usual super job of protecting the pre natal fetus from neural tube defects.
  • Vitamin B6 helps regulate your sodium levels, controlling nausea and vomiting.
  • The rich magnesium content in a banana helps restore a healthy fluid balance.
  • Potassium is vital to protect yourself from the possible attack of stroke or any other pregnancy related complications.
  • Doctors usually recommend consuming one banana every day during your first trimester.

  14. Custard Apple:

  Perhaps this is one of the best fruit during pregnancy that can be consumed, custard apple comes seasonally. So if you are pregnant right in time when the fruit arrives, feel free to indulge.
• Custard apple comes loaded with Vitamin A and C, which are absolutely good for the eyes, skin, hair, and body tissues of your growing baby.
• The tasty seasonal fruit is also said to enhance cognitive functioning of your baby in the pre natal period of development.
• For expectant mommies, high fiber in custard apple helps prevent constipation and also eases the pain while in labor.
• The rich antioxidants present in this delightful fruit help you keep active and detoxified while preparing for childbirth.

• 15. Pomegranates:

  The red pearly pomegranates are nature’s gift to a pregnant woman.
  • Pomegranates contain good amounts of energy, calcium, folate, iron, protein and Vitamin C.
  • Thus it is absolutely beneficial to consume pomegranates during the pregnancy period, be it as a whole fruit or as juice.
  These are some of the fruits that should be a part of your diet while you are pregnant. Remember, a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables along with other supplements is a must. Talk to your health care practitioner to know more about your daily fruit intake. Enjoy this wonderful period and pamper yourself with some super healthy fruits.
  What is your favourite fruit during pregnancy? We would love to know that:
  Happy Pregnancy!

10 Workout Songs You Need To Add To Your Playlist

10 Workout Songs You Need To Add To Your Playlist

Monday, July 11, 2016 /

Trying to fit a workout into our daily routine can sometimes be a hassle. You might find yourself waking up an hour early for a run with the early risers or you might bring a change of clothes for a quick workout after work.
Getting yourself to the gym is one thing, but keeping your energy level high is much easier when you’ve got the perfect playlist going.
If you’re trying to keep yourself motivated during and between your reps, check out these 10 songs that will motivate you to push yourself throughout the whole workout.

“Breathe” by Fabolous

This hip hop track is the perfect mix between keeping yourself motivated and also pacing yourself through your exercise. Sometimes we like to get ahead of ourselves when it comes to certain workouts and routines, and this smash tune will constantly remind you that “you gotta breathe!”
Not only will this song give you the chance to pace yourself, but will motivate you to surpass your competition.
Lyrics we love: Look, their hearts racin’ / They start chasin’ / But I’m so fast when I blow past / That they can’t breathe / In the presence of the man / Your future looks better than your past

“Can’t Hold Us (featuring Ray Dalton)” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Shortly after their huge hit “Thrift Shop,” Macklemore and Ryan Lewis dropped their second single “Can’t Hold Us.” This is another song perfect for a workout, especially if you’re working with reps. The verses are fast and upbeat to keep your body moving, while the chorus slows down and gives you a bit of time to recover before the next set.
Lyrics we love: Can we go back / This is the moment / Tonight is the night / We’ll fight ‘till it’s over / So we put our hands up like the ceiling can’t hold us / Like the ceiling can’t hold us

“Hall of Fame (featuring Will.I.Am) by The Script

If you need a playlist that’s high intensity all of the time, “Hall of Fame” might not be the workout song for you. This song has a relatively slower pace that’s perfect for cooling down. Although you’d be reaching the end of your workout with this song, they still constantly motivate you to “be a champion.”
Lyrics we love: You can throw your hands up / You can beat the clock / You can move a mountain / You can break rocks / You can be a master / Don’t wait for luck / Dedicate yourself and you gon’ find yourself / Standing in the hall of fame

“Let’s Go (featuring Ne-Yo)” by Calvin Harris

While most of these songs are hip hop, if you’re looking for a track that will have you wanting to dance as it motivates you to push through, you’ll definitely enjoy this Calvin Harris tune. This song features a fast paced dance beat alongside Ne-Yo’s voice telling you push yourself because there’s no time better than the present!
Lyrics we love: Let’s go / Make no excuses now / I’m talking here and now / I’m talking here and now / It’s not about what you’ve done / It’s about what you’re doing / It’s all about where you’re going / No matter where you’ve been

“Lose Yourself” by Eminem

Possibly one of his most known songs, “Lose Yourself” is definitely a track that will get your blood racing and your motivation kicking. Not only was this song great enough to win an Academy Award, but the lyrics are filled with reminders by Eminem to make the most of every opportunity, even the opportunity to burn a few extra calories!
Lyrics we love: If you had / One shot / One opportunity / To seize everything you ever wanted / In one moment / Would you capture it / Or just let it slip

“Remember the Name (featuring Styles of Beyond)” by Fort Minor

You’ve definitely heard the voice on this track that’s going to keep you motivated throughout your workout. When you hear this track, you might recognize Mike Shinoda’s voice from Linkin Park. When he formed another group, Fort Minor, they released this 2005 single that had everyone ready to hit the gym.
Lyrics we love: This is 10% luck / 20% skill / 15% concentrated power of will / 5% pleasure / 50% pain / and 100% reason to remember the name

“Run the World” by Beyonce

If there’s anyone who can empower you during a workout, it would definitely be Beyonce. If you’re pushing yourself through cardio or trying to add more weight to the rack, Queen Bey will have you ready to push through any workout.
Lyrics we love: Who run the world? Girls!

“Stronger” by Kanye West

Yeezy definitely did Daft Punk justice when he sampled their song for his track “Stronger” off of his Graduation Album. Kanye West takes his rapping skills and mixes it with a dance/electronic beat for this song that constantly reminds you to push “harder,” do “better,” go “faster,” and be “stronger.”
Lyrics we love: Work it harder / make it better / do it faster / makes us stronger / more than ever / hour after / our work is never over

“Till I Collapse” by Eminem

There’s something about Eminem’s voice that always pushes us to the limit when we’re working out, and his song, “Till I Collapse” might be one of the greatest workout songs ever. Clearly from the title, the point behind this song is to push yourself to your absolute limits, and this is just the motivation you’ll need to rip out another rep.
Lyrics we love: ‘Cause sometimes you just feel tired / feel weak / and when you feel weak / you feel like you want to just give up / but you gotta search within you / you gotta find that inner strength / and just pull that $h!t out of you / and get that motivation to not give up / and not be a quitter / no matter how bad you want to just fall flat on your face and collapse
More lyrics we love: Until the roof / the roof comes off / until my legs / give out from underneath me / I will not fall / I will stand tall / Feels like no one can beat me

“We Own it (with Wiz Khalifa)” by 2 Chainz

Rappers 2 Chainz and Wiz Khalifa collaborated for one of the hottest songs on the sixth Fast & Furious movie. Whether you’re spending your workout trying to forget about the stress of work or school or simply trying to create a healthier form of yourself, this song will remind you to own every aspect of your workout.
Lyrics we love: I never fear death or dying / I only fear never trying / I am whatever I am / Only God can judge me now / One shot / Everything rides on tonight / Even if I’ve got three strikes / I’mma go for it / This moment / We own it
Now that you’ve got 10 songs to fuel you through your workout, make sure you’re pushing yourself through your exercises. Are you planning on adding any of these songs to your workout playlist? Are there any songs that get you pumped up during a workout? Let us know in the comments below!

by Jouviane Alexandre

 

What To Eat If You Want To Gain Weight

What To Eat If You Want To Gain Weight

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While the majority of people are constantly trying to lose weight, there are those for whom the battle to gain weight is just as real. If this describes you, read on for more info on how to gain weight.

Many of us are focused on getting our bodies ready for summer, which is fast approaching. Then, there’s that sexy bikini you’ve just bought that you’re trying to slim into and eager to look super hot in. Sound familiar?

But, what if you want to do the opposite? Most women want to lose weight, but what about the women who want to gain weight? If you’re one of them, then you are not alone.
For some of us, it’s really hard to gain weight. People are always trying to give advice about how to gain weight, which usually amounts to: Eat more greasy or fast foods!
I don’t want you to go crazy eating unhealthy foods to gain weight, though, as your metabolism is probably fast and will simply process the food. You need to start by looking at the reason for not gaining weight easily.


There are several possible reasons for not gaining weight: you are not consuming enough calories, you suffer from hyperthyroidism, gastrointestinal issues or diabetes or you are taking medications that increase your metabolism.

To be sure, you can always see to a doctor to check if you have a medical condition that is preventing you from gaining weight. You can also go to a nutritionist and get a designed diet specially for you.

Eat high calorie dense foods

As I’ve already said, we need to eat foods that are high in calories but also provide health benefits. We want to gain weight, but we don’t want to become unhealthy.

For this, nutritionists recommend eating good high calorie dense foods. This means eating many calories but in small amounts or serving sizes, which is what bodybuilders and people who exercise do to gain weight.

For example, you can eat granola with almonds, which has more than 500 calories per cup, or a one-ounce serving of goat cheese, which has nearly 130 calories.

One very popular food to help with weight gain is peanut butter or any other nut butter. It contains manganese and magnesium and has around 204 calories in two tablespoons.

You can also eat peanuts or macadamia nuts. Peanuts are a legume, not a nut, and they grow underground like beans and peas. The nuts provide about 470 calories per ½ cup and the peanuts provide around 425 calories per ½ cup. Both are rich in nutrients, iron and unsaturated fats.
If you love muffins, you can eat bran muffins, which have vitamins and dietary fiber. A bran muffin from a bakery offers more than 300 calories and 10 grams of fat.
Other high calorie foods include: bagels, dried fruits, fruit smoothies and banana chips. All of them have 250 calories or more.

For people who want something that is not sweet, eat avocados. One avocado has 325 calories and 30g of fat as well as vitamins C, E, K, B5 and B6 and dietary fiber.

Avoid high volume foods

High volume foods are good when you’re trying to lose or maintain your weight, so if you’re trying to gain weight, you should avoid these foods.

They will make you fight hunger because they have high volume and are lower in calories, so they fill you up more quickly.

Foods that are high volume tend to be most vegetables, fruits, cooked oatmeal, whole grains like popcorn, stews and low calorie soups.

You can still eat vegetables but blend them into sauces, or drink V8 juice for nutrition as it offers a lot of energy. Be careful, though, as it also has a lot of sugar.

Remember that you also need to avoid foods that are high in water, air, lean protein or fiber. Besides fruits and vegetables, this includes lean meat, fish, poultry, soybeans and eggs. This is why eggs are recommended to people who want to maintain or lose weight—they make you feel more satisfied.
The truth is, however, that every metabolism or body is different. This is only a guide to give you an idea of what you can eat to gain more weight.

To be honest, I eat some high volume foods and I don’t feel full. In fact, it’s quite the opposite: I feel hungrier. This is why I recommend that you experiment with various foods and what works for you.
Or, as I mentioned previously, make an appointment with a nutritionist for professional guidance.
Have you been trying to gain weight? Do you know of any foods that work well to achieve this goal? Share them below with your fellow readers!

by Dianne M.

Reddit may have hit upon a way to earn money without their users ever knowing – and that’s a good thing

Reddit may have hit upon a way to earn money without their users ever knowing – and that’s a good thing

Thursday, July 7, 2016 /

Whether you love or hate Reddit, it’s hard to ignore that the site isn’t one of the best places to find interesting content from around the Web.

As a growing company, it obviously needs money to stay afloat, and its sparse ads and Gold user subscription plans contribute to that to an extent. But it will have to do more to stay viable in the coming years.

To that end, it’s begun experimenting with a new way to generate revenue that you won’t even notice until you look for it: affiliate links.

The company said that it’s now testing a system that will rewrite inks to ecommerce sites in users’ posts with an affiliate URL that credits Reddit.

That means that if your Reddit post contains a link to a product, Reddit will replace that link with one that identifies Reddit as the source, so the company receives a small percentage of the purchase through that URL.

Reddit explained that it’s implementing Viglinks’ affiliate marketing system to make this happen, so that they can tap into a network of more than 5,000 merchants instantly.

It noted that this won’t interfere with existing links, so if you’ve already added your own affiliate link to make money from your posts, you don’t have to worry about Reddit profiting off your custom URL. Plus, both viewers and posters in the test group can opt out of the program.

Reddit said it will monitor performance and uptime for issues with Viglinks’ service on the site. It also mentioned that its contract with the company disallows Viglinks from storing user data or cookies during this process.

It’s good to know that Reddit is looking into ways of increasing revenue without compromising on the user experience on its site. It’s also likely that this system will work with third-party Reddit apps, which means that the developers behind them won’t have to modify their software. All that equates to more uninterrupted GIFs and dank memes – hopefully, for a long while to come.

Zuckerberg’s charitable venture makes its first investment in a startup

Zuckerberg’s charitable venture makes its first investment in a startup

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Celebrating their newborn daughter last December, Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan pledged 99 percent of their Facebook shares over their lifetimes to charity. Currently, they’re valued at $48 billion.

The couple founded The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to aid in that effort, and it’s now made its first investment. It’s leading a $24 million funding round for Andela, a New York-based startup that works with communities in Nigeria and Kenya to train software developers and connects them to companies that require their talent.

 In a statement about the investment, Zuckerberg said, “We live in a world where talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not. Andela’s mission is to close that gap.”

The Wall Street Journal reports that Andela, which began its operations in 2014, plans to train 100,000 developers over the next 10 years. The company intends to use its newly secured funds to expand to another country in Africa.

Antivirus giant Avast is acquiring rival AVG for $1.3b

Antivirus giant Avast is acquiring rival AVG for $1.3b

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Avast, which is known for its consumer-grade antivirus software with over 230 million users worldwide, has announced that it will acquire rival AVG for $1.3 billion in an all-cash deal.

Both firms have their roots in the Czech Republic. The transaction will allow Avast to expand its business across more markets worldwide; together, the two companies have a user base of about 400 million, including about 16 million people who use their mobile security products.

Avast also hopes that its new acquisition will allow to create better security services for sectors like small and medium businesses and IoT hardware. It isn’t yet clear if Avast will fold AVG’s software offerings into its own brand or continue to sell them under the existing banner.

NASA will purposefully destroy its $1 billion Jupiter spacecraft just in case aliens exist

NASA will purposefully destroy its $1 billion Jupiter spacecraft just in case aliens exist

Wednesday, July 6, 2016 /

The $1.1 billion Juno mission hit ahuge milestone Monday night when it successfully enteredJupiter's orbit.

But what will happen to it inFebruary 2018 when its job is done?

Spacecraft don't really get happy retirements. Sure, there are a few space shuttles resting on their laurels in museums, but that's because they brought people home.

Some unmanned probes do make it back to Earth if part of their mission is to bring back a sample, like Hayabusa, a Japanese spacecraft that visited an asteroid.

Juno won't get that kind of treatment. In fact, its fate is much grimmer. After its final trip around Jupiter, it will enter what NASA euphemistically calls its "deorbit phase."

That's a tactful way of saying Juno will spend the last five and a half days of its existence hurling itself into Jupiter. The planet's atmosphere is so harsh the spacecraft will burn up.

NASA being NASA, they've already produced an animation of what Juno's fiery death will look like.

t's the same fate that met Juno's predecessor on the trip to Jupiter, Galileo, in 2003.

But why fling a $1.1 billion satellite into an extraordinarily large ball of burning gas?

For the (potential) aliens, that's why!

Scientists currently think one of our best shots at finding living organisms beyond Earth is on Europa, one of Jupiter's moons that might have an ocean hiding underneath its frozen surface. NASA is currently working on figuring out how to send a lander to Europa to get a better handle on whether there's any life to be seen there. Two other Jovian moons, Ganymede and Callisto, are also on the list of contenders.

NASA and its Office of Planetary Protection have very strict rules about contaminating space, particularly when it comes to places we think we want to look for life. Logically enough, it doesn't want to spend a billion dollars on the next spacecraft just to find some organism it turns out we put there. (Oops.)

Throwing Juno into Jupiter protects Jupiter's moons from contamination, since the trip through Jupiter's atmosphere and radiation will destroy any bacteria that may have snuck onto Juno before it launched.

The planetary protection protocols are also why spacecraft are assembled in clean rooms by people wearing protective gear. And as we learn more about the worlds around us, those rules change. Galileo's death plunge was actually a change of plan, prompted when NASA got the first hints that Jupiter's moons could actually be hospitable to life.

The dramatic death also keeps Juno from adding to our huge space junk problem.

source: www.techinsider.io

China's futuristic 'straddling bus' begins production this week

China's futuristic 'straddling bus' begins production this week

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The so-called "straddling bus," an elevated public transit system that has generated renewed interest after a real honest-to-god mini model was unveiled at the 19th China Beijing International High-Tech Expo in May, starts production this week. The future is now!

According to the Global Times, China's world-famous Transit Elevated Bus (TEB) will consist of four cars in total, each being about 22 meters long, 7.8 meters wide and 4.8 meters high.

Jinchuang Corp, located in Changzhou, Jiangsu, has the honor of producing the first model. The chief engineer of the project, Song Youzhou, says that "some portion of the bus will be made of glass to make passengers feel less confined. Song added that the bus will be able to take up to 1,200 passengers and is completely operated by electric power.

The TEB has received some rather mixed reviews from the Chinese online community since its re-introduction in May. While some are patriotically ecstatic about the invention -- "We Chinese finally came up with something original for once" -- others remain pessimistic about the project, saying that they would rather not "drive under a moving tunnel, unable to see the street lights."

Workers had better hurry up, because the TEB is scheduled for a (lame) test run in August. We can't wait!

By Shanghaiist in News

UEFA ban players' families from on-pitch celebrations

UEFA ban players' families from on-pitch celebrations

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The sight of players celebrating Euro 2016 victories on the pitch with their families could be a thing of the past now that UEFA wants to prohibit all non-accredited people from going on the field.

Tournament director Martin Kallen cited security risks as the main reason for UEFA's request.

"We're not totally against it, but we have to be cautious and ensure security," he said. "It is a European Championship not a family party.

"A stadium is not the safest place for small kids. Only people with accreditation can access the pitch, nobody else."

As well as pointing to the security risks of allowing children on the pitch, Kallen also explained the need to preserve the grass.

Speaking about the state of the turf at the Stade de France - the venue for the final - he was confident that it would be sufficient.

"There shouldn't be a problem as we have roughly a week and in the most recent matches we've seen that the Stade de France turf was of much better quality, [it is good,] not excellent," he explained.

Asked about the prohibiting of teams from training on stadium pitches ahead of some matches, the director insisted that this was a necessary precaution.

"There are always concerns about the grass as it is used a lot," Kalen said.

More serious concerns have also emerged for European football's governing body following reports that a 25-year-old British fan was stabbed near Paris' Gare du Nord after the France-Iceland match on Sunday.

Emergency treatment was required at Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital and he now appears to be stable.

source: www.marca.com