Subaru has chosen September’s 62nd Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) for the biggest new model blitz in its history. Key attractions include the European debut for the completely new Impreza, a striking World Rally Car Concept, facelifted Tribeca luxury SUV, totally new Justy supermini and the world’s first horizontally-opposed ‘boxer’ turbo-diesel engine – due to…
Exchange Rates – Buy one Dollar, Get one Free!
The current exchange rates means British investors need to act fast to profit from the $2 pound. Window of opportunity It isn’t just the shoppers who are benefiting from the current exchange rates that get you $2 for every pound – the business world can benefit too. But economists are saying the window of opportunity…
Summer camp for internet addicts
China is launching an experimental summer camp for 40 youngsters to try to wean them off their internet addiction, state media said. The 10-day programme would accept youngsters aged between 14 and 22 once they had undergone a psychological test and evaluation, the China Daily said. About 2.6 million – or 13% – of China’s…
Photo tool could fix bad images
Digital photographers could soon be able to erase unwanted elements in photos by using tools that scan for similar images in online libraries. Research teams have developed an algorithm that uses sites like Flickr to help discover light sources, camera position and composition in a photo. Using this data the tools then search for objects,…
Seven hurt as rally car crashes
The car went off course at the rally The car went off the course at the Lurgan Park rally Seven people have been injured, one seriously, after a rally car crashed off the course and into a group of spectators in County Armagh. Three ambulance crews attended the accident which happened on Saturday at about…
NI foot-and-mouth message ‘clear’
Some countries are refusing to accept NI meat and dairy produce The message that NI produce is free from foot-and-mouth disease is getting across to the rest of the world, the deputy first minister has said. Martin McGuinness was speaking to reassure local firms which experienced problems exporting to Japan, Germany and south America. Northern…
Digital art aids health checkups
Doctors are turning to graphic artists to help patients better understand their illness and course of treatment. The artists turn medical images from 3D anatomical scans into less formidable forms, suitable for patients. Trials of the system have shown it can aid understanding and deepen dialogue between patients and their care givers. The system is…
Video games need ‘realism boost’
Games like Crysis are hoping to push the boundaries of realism More than good looks are needed to make a great video game, according to Glenn Entis, chief technical officer at games giant Electronic Arts. Mr Entis told the Siggraph conference that games makers had to use much more than graphics to make their creations…
Robot unravels mystery of walking
Runbot Runbot can adapt to changes in the terrain Runbot in action Roboticists are using the lessons of a 1930s human physiologist to build the world’s fastest walking robot. Runbot is a self-learning, dynamic robot, which has been built around the theories of Nikolai Bernstein. “Getting a robot to walk like a human requires a…
UK still loves a good page-turner
Two people reading papers in a park Experts say people still find time to read amid busy lives Contrary to popular belief, Britain may not be a nation of dumbed-down MP3-toting philistines who prefer computer games to the mind-expanding delights of a good book. Instead, according to the latest research, people in the UK are…