Monday 18 August 2014

Sony Alpha 5100 is the smallest APS-C camera with a built-in flash


If you've been holding out on purchasing an Alpha 6000 because you don't need an electronic viewfinder, Sony's got a mirrorless camera just for you. 

Internally, the Alpha 5100, which replaces the NEX-5T, is nearly identical to its pricier counterpart, with a 24.3-megapixel sensor and a BIONZ X processor. 

You also get a 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 power-zoom lens, bundled with the camera for $700 ($550 for the body only), and the same hybrid focusing system, letting you acquire a subject in as little as 0.07 seconds.

It excludes an EVF, but the A5100 does have a 921k-dot display (with touch functionality this time) that flips forward 180 degrees for self-portraits. 

There's also built-in WiFi, XAVC S video capture and a top sensitivity of ISO 25,600. It ships next month in black and white.

- Engadget 

Surprise! Even North Koreans download porn


Yes, the internet does exist in North Korea -- it's just that most users are trapped within the country's virtual confines,unable to access most websites outside their ISP's walled garden. 

According to BitTorrent monitor ScanEye, though, some do get to bypass the country's security and end up downloading various TV shows, as well as (to nobody's surprise) American and Japanese porn.

Aside from the inevitable pornography, the 178 downloads traced from North Korea include Top Gear, Britain's Biggest Hoarders, HBO documentary Manhunt: The Search for Bin Laden, and even games like Angry Birds and Far Cry 3. 

All these activities were traced from a single neighborhood in Pyongyang (NK's capital), where you can find the headquarters of the country's mobile network provider.

Because the country's citizens aren't free to do many, many things, and internet connections there are usually very slow, one can't help but wonder: who downloaded all these, and how did they do it? It's likely impossible to be 100 percent certain whether these downloads, some from as far back as February 2012, really did originate from the country. 

For all we know, there could be another explanation for those IPs. It could also just be a fearless foreignerdesperate for his dose of car and human porn... or the Supreme Leader himself, looking for something to do on weekends.

- Engadget 

13 diselamatkan dua hari selepas bot pelancong karam

Bot pelancong itu tenggelam pada Sabtu. - Foto AFP/Andy Amaldan

BIMA: Lapan rakyat asing dan lima warga Indonesia hari ini diselamatkan, dua hari selepas bot pelancong mereka karam dalam ribut.

Mereka terselamat dengan hanya berhimpit di dalam bot penyelamat atau terapung dengan jaket keselamatan.

Operasi itu menjadikan jumlah yang terselamat 23 orang termasuk 18 warga asing sejak bot itu karam pada Sabtu.

Sepuluh warga asing telah diselamatkan pada Ahad, termasuk pelancong dari New Zealand, Britain, Sepanyol, Belanda, Jerman dan Perancis.

Dua lagi warga asing hilang selepas bot itu karam di Sangeang, sebuah pulau kecil di timur Indonesia.

Mereka yang diselamatkan pada Isnin telah dijumpai pada awal pagi 100 kilometer di luar pantai pulau Sumbawa, dengan sesetengah mereka di atas bot penyelamat dan yang lain-lain memakai jaket keselamatan.

"Mereka semua dijumpai bersama, ada yang berada di dalam bot penyelamat dan ada yang terapung dengan jaket keselamatan kira-kira 100 kilometer di luar Sape di timur pulau Sumbawa," kata pegawai penyelamat, Budiawan.

Kata beliau, agensi mencari dan menyelamat di Pulau Lombok yang terletak di barat Sumbawa, sedang berada di pekan Sape.

"Operasi mencari diteruskan pagi tadi, dan ia melibatkan pihak tentera dan polis," katanya.

Menurut Budiawan, kewarganegaraan mangsa warga asing masih kurang jelas, namun lima mangsa warga Indonesia merupakan anak kapal dan pemandu pelancong. - AFP 

Kami telah memohon maaf secara peribadi kepada Nora Danish - Hotel Legoland

Nora kesal dengan insiden lif di Hotel Legoland.

KUALA LUMPUR: Hotel Legoland Malaysia Resort memaklumkan pihaknya telah pun memohon maaf kepada pelakon Nora Danish dan keluarganya di atas insiden terperangkap di dalam lif yang menimpa mereka sekeluarga ketika menetap di hotel tersebut.

Menurut Pengurus Perhubungan Legoland Malaysia, Deviga Doreraja, pihaknya telah meminta maaf secara peribadi dengan Nora dan keluarganya sejurus selepas kejadian tersebut, yang berlaku pada Ahad.

Deviga turut menambah dalam satu kenyataan kepada Astro AWANI, kejadian tersebut berlaku disebabkan masalah teknikal yang melibatkan lif terbabit, yang dikatakan berhenti berfungsi di antara dua tingkat bangunan hotel itu.

Pihak hotel Legoland Malaysia Resort kini sedang bekerjasama dengan pembuat lif, Antah Schindler Sdn. Bhd. untuk mengenal pasti masalah teknikal yang menyebabkan kerosakan lif. 

Deviga turut mengesahkan bahawa Pengarah Hotel, turut ada bersama Nora dan keluarganya untuk memastikan semua keperluan dipenuhi, mengikut piawaian antarabangsa hotel.

Ketika ini, pihak Legoland Malaysia sedang menyiasat dengan lebih lanjut mengenai dakwaan yang dibuat Nora dalam akaun media sosialnya.

Pada Ahad, Nora Danish memuat naik gambarnya bersama keluarga di dalam lif di hotel Legoland Malaysia Resort yang dikatakan berhenti berfungsi. 


Dalam laman Instagram milik Nora, artis itu menyatakan bahawa dia, kakaknya dan seorang pengawal peribadi terperangkap dalam lif selama satu jam dan cuba menghubungi penjaga lif selama sepuluh minit sebelum dijawab. 

Menurut Nora lagi, dia marah apabila penjaga lif memberikan alasan bahawa perkara sebegitu selalu berlaku kerana ia sesuatu yang sangat merbahaya. - Astro Awani

Menantu lapan anak rogol ibu mertua di Sibu


Satu unit polis D7 menyerbu masuk ke rumah kayu suspek pada jam 2 pagi semalam.

SIBU: Seorang lelaki berusia 42 tahun ditahan polis setelah dia dilaporkan merogol ibu mertuanya sendiri pada Jumaat lalu, lapor Borneo Post. 

Suspek yang merupakan seorang pengganggur dan bapa kepada lapan anak berusia dari satu hingga 20 tahun, dikatakan telah pergi ke rumah mangsa yang berusia 69 tahun itu yang terletak di sebelah rumahnya di Kampung Jeriah, di sini.

Kejadian yang berlaku kira-kira jam 4 petang, mangsa dikatakan sedang duduk di ruang tamu sambil mengenakan kain sarung sahaja, kata sumber polis.

Suspek dikatakan terus menyerang mangsa sambil menolaknya ke lantai dan menutup mulut mangsa apabila mangsa cuba menjerit.

Portal berkenaan turut melaporkan suspek mempunyai rekod pengambilan dadah dan jenayah pecah rumah.

Beliau dipercayai melakukan perbuatan tersebut disebabkan khayal akibat pengaruh dadah.

Ahli-ahli keluarga mangsa kemudiannya membawa mangsa membuat laporan polis pada jam 10.30 malam kelmarin tanpa pengetahuan suspek.

Tambah Borneo Post, satu unit polis D7 yang diketuai Inspektor Fazirul menyerbu masuk ke rumah suspek pada jam 2 pagi Ahad sebelum menahannya. - Astro Awani

Rumah tangga Jay Z dan Beyonce semakin parah

Jay Z sehingga kini masih cuba memujuk Beyonce. - Foto AFP/Frederic J. Brown

Berita keretakan rumah tangga penyanyi Rap Jay Z dan isterinya, Beyonce semakin mendapat perhatian meluas pihak media mahupun peminat walaupun mereka berdua masih belum membuka mulut tentang isu tersebut.

Menurut sumber terdekat pasangan ini, hubungan mereka dilihat makin parah selepas kedua-duanya telah berbincang soal penceraian.

Walau bagaimanapun, Jay Z sehingga kini masih cuba memujuk Beyonce dan cuba memberi keyakinan bahawa mereka masih mampu hidup bersama dan mempertahankan rumah tangga yang telah dibina sejak 2008.

"Mereka berdua sudah berbincangan mengenai penceraian semasa konsert jelajah On The Run sedang berlangsung. Perkara tersebut menimbulkan sedikit ketegangan antara mereka dan masih tiada lagi kata putus yang diberikan oleh Beyonce.

"Beyonce masih lagi mempertimbangkan mengenai penceraian mereka dan cuba meminta pendapat daripada ibu dan adiknya untuk membuat keputusan tersebut. Ianya satu perkara yang cukup sukar dan besar dalam hidupnya,jelas sumber terdekat mereka berdua.

Rumah tangga mereka kembali goyah baru-baru ini selepas seorang wanita yang dikenali sebagai Liv tampil menerusi sebuah vieo bertajuk ‘Sorry Mrs Carter’ yang merujuk kepada Beyonce. Wanita tersebut mendedahkan perbuatan Jay Z yang mengajak wanita tersebut tidur bersamanya namun ditolak kerana menghormati Beyonce. - Astro Awani 

Manchester City grind out win at Newcastle


Premier League, St James’ Park – Newcastle 0 Manchester City 2 (Silva 38', Aguero 90+2')



Manchester City started their Premier League title defence with a gritty 2-0 win over Newcastle at St James’ Park.

David Silva latched onto a sublime backheel from Edin Dzeko to slot home the opener as the visitors grabbed the advantage shortly before the break.

Newcastle pressed for an equaliser after the restart but, for all their promising positions, struggled to test Joe Hart as the match threatened to fizzle out.

But the arrival of substitute Ayoze Perez sparked the hosts into life, and they almost drew level when the youngster’s deflected effort flew narrowly wide before Moussa Sissoko blazed over with time running out.

With Newcastle committing men forward, City found space in injury time and wrapped up victory when Sergio Aguero reacted quickest to fire home after Tim Krul had saved his initial effort.



-- Eurosport 

Newcastle honour supporters killed in MH17 crash

Newcastle's opening league game against Manchester City at St James' Park was preceded by a minute's silence.

NEWCASTLE: English Premier League club Newcastle United on Sunday paid tribute to two of their supporters who were killed when Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine last month.

John Alder, 63, and Liam Sweeney, 28, who were travelling to watch Newcastle's pre-season tour of New Zealand, were among 298 people who died in the disaster.

Newcastle's opening league game against Manchester City at St James' Park was preceded by a minute's silence in memory of the pair, whose relatives laid floral tributes on the pitch prior to kick-off.

Newcastle also plan to open a memorial garden to the men outside the stadium and create a community award named after them.

The Boeing 777 exploded over insurgent-held east Ukraine on July 17, killing all on board, with the West accusing Russia-backed separatists of shooting it down and Moscow blaming Kiev. - AFP 

Mark Zuckerberg's chilly charity challenge to Bill Gates


ICY CHALLENGE: Zuckerberg has become the latest celebrity to be doused by a bucket of ice-cold water — and now he wants Bill Gates to follow suit..

WASHINGTON: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has become the latest celebrity to be doused by a bucket of ice-cold water — and now he wants Bill Gates to follow suit. 

Aimed at raising awareness and cash for the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease, the Ice Bucket Challenge has become a viral craze in the United States in recent weeks. 

It involves celebrities soaking themselves in icy water before challenging other well-known personalities to do the same — or else make a donation to the ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Foundation, which heads the fight against Lou Gehrig's. 

Zuckerberg, who was nominated for the challenge by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, laughed as he tipped the ice over himself before daring Microsoft titan Bill Gates, to do the same. 

He also challenged Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg and Netflix director Reed Hastings to follow suit. 

"You guys have 24 hours to complete the challenge or you have to donate to the ALS foundation — or both," he said. 

Television star Jimmy Fallon, singer Justin Timberlake and actor Mickey Rourke, along with several sports stars have all taken the challenge in recent weeks. 

Even the 86-year-old widow of Robert Kennedy, Ethel Kennedy, has taken the challenge — urging President Barack Obama to follow suit. Obama declined, but made a donation instead. 

According to the ALS, the scheme has raised US$5.7mil (RM18.08mil) since its launch on July 29. — AFP/Relaxnews 2014

Zalif tayang kekasih baru...


MESKIPUN dahulu kisah cintanya dengan penyanyi Fida Ibrahim tidak kesampaian namun ia bukan titik noktah buatnya untuk bercinta lagi.

Nampaknya pelakon kelahiran Metrowealth Pictures ini sedang berbahagia dengan buah hatinya yang dikenali sebagai Syahirah.

Hubungan mereka mula menjadi perbualan apabila pelakon yang juga pelawak ini memuat naik gambar mesranya bersama seorang gadis di laman sosial Instagram miliknya baru-baru ini.

Ditemui di majlis tayangan eksklusif telemovie Kem Cuci Tangan (Kecut), Zalif Sidek memberitahu memang benar dia dan gadis berkenaan berkawan rapat sejak beberapa bulan lalu.

“Sebenarnya dia adalah kawan lama saya dan kami juga tinggal di kawasan perumahan yang sama.

“Cuma, kami masih dalam proses mengenali hati budi masing-masing,” katanya.

Jelas Zalif, Syahirah juga seorang yang memahami kerjayanya dan kerana itu dia selesa dengannya.

“Saya cuba membiasakan dia dengan gaya hidup saya sendiri sebagai selebriti supaya dia lebih faham dengan karier saya.

"Sebab itu, jika berkesempatan dan dia ada masa terluang saya akan membawanya ke majlis-majlis seni,” katanya.

Ditanya adakah dia tidak menolak sekiranya bertemu jodoh dengan gadis itu, pelakon Papa I Love U itu berkata, dia tidak kisah kerana Syahirah seorang gadis yang baik.

“Saya sangat menyenangi personalitinya, jadi saya harapkan yang terbaik dalam hubungan kami,” katanya.
- Sinar Harian 

Porsche 911 GT3 launched in Malaysia – RM1.23 million


Sime Darby Auto Performance launched the Porsche 911 GT3 this afternoon at the Sepang International Circuit. The fifth-generation 911 GT3 joins a local 991 lineup that ranges from the starter 911 Carrera to the ultimate 911 Turbo S.

Revealed at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the “racing 911″ is powered by a tuned version of the 3.8 litre flat-six engine from the Carrera S. Here, the direct fuel injection unit pushes out 475 hp through the use of a new GT3-specific crankshaft, valve gear, titanium connecting rods and forged pistons, for a 75 hp jump over the S. It revs up to 9,000 rpm, 500 more than before.

The latest 911 GT3 is no longer available with a stick shift, so the only way to go through the gears is with a seven-speed PDK transmission, with steering paddles. Porsche says that the dual-clutch box has been tuned specifically for the GT3, with shorter ratios, faster shift times (under 100 milliseconds) and a gearchange algorithm that mirrors the sequential units in Porsche Motorsports’ race cars – PDK Sport mode.

There’s also a “paddle neutral” function. If the driver pulls both shift paddles concurrently, the clutches of the PDK are opened and the force flow between engine and powertrain is interrupted. If both shift paddles are released again, the clutch closes with “lightning speed”.


Two advantages: if the GT3 understeers, the driver can neutralise by pulling the paddles, buliding up additional cornering force on the rear wheels. The second aspect influences the driving dynamics via the pulse-like inset of the drive power when coupling. Comparable to a traditional clutch in a manual gearbox, the rear of the car can be consciously destablised when turning. Kicking the tail out, in other words.

This track special is very fast – 0-100 km/h is now done in 3.5 seconds, 200 km/h takes less than 12, and top speed is now 315 km/h. It laps the Nurburgring (7:25) faster than the outgoing turbocharged 911 GT2 at less than seven and a half minutes, even coming close to matching the Carrera GT’s time.


Probably contributing to the impressive lap time is the use of active rear-wheel steering, a first for Porsche. This turns the two rear wheels into or away from the corner according to speed, aiding stability and agility. The steering system is electric. Fully adjustable suspension, larger 20-inch forged wheels, electronically-controlled, fully variable rear differential lock and the now-standard dynamic engine mounts are other highlights.

How much to park one in your garage? RM1.23 million before options, but remember not to shackle your GT3 there and bring it to Sepang for the occasional leg stretching – this Porsche is made for the track. 

- Paultan.org

Dakwaan Neelofa bakal berkahwin dengan kerabat diraja tidak benar


Dakwaan Neelofa bakal berkahwin dengan kerabat diraja tidak benar - sumber istana

KUALA LUMPUR: Sumber dalaman istana dari sebuah negeri di Pantai Timur menafikan desas-desus yang kerabat diraja negeri tersebut bakal berkahwin dengan pelakon dan pengacara televisyen terkenal, Neelofa.

Ketika dihubungi Astro AWANI, sumber tersebut yang enggan dikenali memberitahu cerita itu hanyalah khabar angin semata-mata.

“Saya menafikan sekeras-kerasnya spekulasi tersebut. Saya berharap tiada pihak yang akan terus menggembar-gemburkan cerita ini kerana ia tidak benar.

“Kalau cerita ini betul, pasti pihak istana akan mengeluarkan kenyataan bagi menerangkan kedudukan sebenar. Tetapi hingga sekarang tiada kenyataan dikeluarkan, bermakna cerita itu tidak benar,” kata sumber tersebut.

Sementara itu, Neelofa sewaktu dihubungi Astro AWANI bagi menjawab spekulasi itu pula berkata, dia tidak akan membuat sebarang kenyataan sehingga September depan untuk berlaku adil dengan pihak media lain.

Khabar angin Neelofa bakal menamatkan zaman bujangnya mula mendapat perhatian pihak media sejak awal minggu ini. - Astro Awani 

Van Gaal making Rooney captain was a disastrous mistake



Let's get United's excuses in now: it's very early in the season; one match means almost nothing; the men on the pitch are still getting used to a new tactical system; and there are still a couple of weeks left of the transfer season to get the right players in.

But one thing is very clear: making Wayne Rooney captain was a disastrous mistake by Louis van Gaal.

There's no doubt that Rooney can be a hugely effective player for United, but the former Everton striker is notoriously mercurial, his form rising and dipping apparently at random, although it does seem to mirror his fluctuating weight.

The bigger problem, however, is that when things aren’t going according to plan, Rooney has a tendency to drift. Not only to drift out of matches, but from chunks of a season. Rooney’s ability is proportional to his mood, and when the latter is darkened by external factors, there is a further propensity to throw his toys out of the pram, often through contractual machinations using the bargaining chip of his name’s enduring popularity on merchandise.

Don't get me wrong: there was some solid reasoning behind Van Gaal’s decision. Perhaps he felt Rooney’s ennui emanated from a personal fall-out with the previous two coaches; that to give him full trust would bring out the best from English football’s biggest star. Maybe he sensed a growing maturity in Rooney, and that – given responsibility – he could restart the trajectory of development that appears to have plateaued.

The trouble is, that sort of reasoning is a sink-or-swim gamble, relying on Rooney to dig deep into his personal reserves and prove himself one of the best in the world.

And he has shown time and again throughout his career that when asked to sink or swim, he sinks.

When Robin van Persie came to Old Trafford it wasn't just to score goals - it was also supposed to show Rooney an example of dedication and professionalism that would make him up his game, and get the most out of himself in what should be the best years of his career.

What actually happened is that he sulked, and tried to leave.

It's not only United who have fallen foul of his lack of mental strength: England, too, have failed to benefit, with the striker's woeful strike rate in tournament football the major reason for the national side's underperformance in the last decade. If you build your team around a player who consistently underperforms, what else can you expect?

Rooney should have stepped up a level years ago, but instead he's still mistaking passion and commitment for shouting and grimacing. Nobody doubts that the world's best senior players, - Bastian Schweinsteiger to Vincent Kompany to Andrea Pirlo - have passion to burn, but they shows it through their focus, attitude and dedication, setting an example for their team-mates - not by snarling like an angry drunk at kicking-out time.

And leadership, not shouting and snarling, is what United need.


Manchester United have not won a game since Wayne Rooney was made club captain.

— Alexander Netherton (@lxndrnthrtn) August 16, 2014

A joke, of course, but one born out of United's worrying lack of on-pitch leadership and experience in the 2-1 opening day loss to Swansea City.

The departures of Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand – and the retirement of Ryan Giggs – have collectively shorn United of their biggest characters on and off the pitch. Robin van Persie is injured, while Darren Fletcher is still feeling his way back into the game after illness.

During the match with Swansea, the XI on the pitch – which included debutant youngsters Jesse Lingard and Tyler Blackett – seemed lost at times, certainly when they were chasing the game.

Chris Smalling didn’t know whether he was coming or going when United reverted to a back four. He was a little better as part of the defensive trio before that, but only because he knew he was doing neither.

Going forward there was a lack of drive, a collective fear and abdication of responsibility that a senior professional would not have tolerated. The team was crying out for a focus, a rallying point, one man standing tall to radiate confidence and determination to his team-mates, willing them to turn things round and showing them the manner in which to do it.

And all that is simply never going to come from Rooney.

There are other deep-seated problems, of course. Clearly these are early days – we cannot write off an entire season after a poor performance - but it is no secret that Van Gaal wants to bring more players into the club. And ironically, assuming he can manage his way around the dismally inept Ed Woodward, the Dutchman’s hand is strengthened by this setback.

Before the season started I suggested that Manchester United had a chance of winning the league, in part to play Devil’s Advocate, in part down to a belief that Louis van Gaal could turn the clock back to the days under Sir Alex Ferguson. With things looking tighter than ever - Manchester City being quieter than usual so far this window, Chelsea and Arsenal obviously narrowing the gap - my feeling about United emanated from the Van Gaal effect. He would be able to squeeze impressive results from relatively limited resources, as he did with the Netherlands. Pre-season hinted that he would be able to achieve a similar impact with United.

Clearly there were shortfalls in the playing staff. Ander Herrera went some way to filling the gap, but Luke Shaw has thus far been a disastrous acquisition, and the team are still a couple of defenders short of a picnic. The supposed lack of pace is a red herring, although Angel Di Maria would be a welcome addition to their team for a variety of reasons - speed being one.

Source: Reda Maher @Eurosports

Perodua Axia 1.0 G – first official photo released



Another day, another photo of the 2014 Perodua Axia is revealed. We’ve seen the range-toppingAxia SE and Advance models’ rear end in the first official photo of the upcoming A-segment hatchback, and now we have the first glimpse of the mid-range Perodua Axia 1.0 G.



The Axia 1.0 G is a step above the RM24,900 base 1.0 E model, and is the cheapest variant if you want an automatic transmission. It starts at RM32,800 for a five-speed manual unit, while the four-speed torque converter-equipped model is RM34,800. All prices are on-the-road, with insurance.

This mid-range G-level specification gets an eight-spoke 14-inch alloy wheels fitted with Hankook Kinergy Ex eco tyres as pictured above. A remote control entry and alarm system, reverse sensors and a four-speaker CD audio player are included in this model variant as well.

The complete price list and tentative specification and equipment levels for all four variants of the Perodua Axia have been leaked yesterday. Check out our extensive Perodua Axia info hub for all you need to know about Perodua’s new model.

- Paultan.org

Nissan Sylphy Tuned By Impul introduced



Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has introduced the Nissan Sylphy Tuned By Impul, with various bits of added kit not unlike those seen on other Impul packages for the X-Gear, Grand Livina and Almera.

Outside, there’s an aerokit comprising of front and rear bumper extensions and side skirts. A boot lid lip spoiler is available on the E model; the higher-end VL retains the stock spoiler with an integrated centre brake light. The price of the kit is cheaper for the VL as a result – at RM3,000 – versus the E model’s RM3,600.










Also available are 17-inch Impul Aura SX-20 wheels at RM4,500 for a set of four, while stickier Continental Premium Contact 2 tyres come in at RM1,800 a set. Rounding out the upgrades are a RM1,000 set of Impul sport springs that sit the car 25 mm lower than standard. Altogether, the parts cost a cool RM10,900 for the E variant (VL RM10,300).

The Nissan Sylphy Tuned By Impul will be shown at the Nissan Teana and Sylphy Public Test Drive Event at Desa ParkCity on August 16 and 17, from 10 am to 10 pm. Discounts on these Impul packages will be offered with the purchase of a new Sylphy.

-- Paultan.org

Japan sends Hello Kitty into space


KITTY IN SPACE: The project to launch the white cat with a pink bow into orbit is part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to promote Japan's high-tech industry and engineer economic growth. — Reuters/Sanrio Co Ltd

TOKYO: Hello Kitty, Japan's ambassador of cute, is on a government-funded mission to space. 

The project to launch Sanrio Co Ltd's white cat with a pink bow into orbit is part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to promote Japan's high-tech industry and engineer economic growth. 

A 4cm (1.6in) tall Hello Kitty figure is aboard the Hodoyoshi-3 satellite, looking through a window at Earth, Sanrio announced this week. 

The satellite, which is about the size of a large rubbish bin, was developed by Japanese researchers as part of a US$40mil (RM126.92mil) programme funded by the education and science ministry. 

The goal of the project is to get more private companies interested in working with satellites, said Toshiki Tanaka, researcher in charge of the project at the University of Tokyo's Nano-Satellite Centre. 

Developers chose Sanrio as their first private partner after judging that it could get Hello Kitty's many fans interested in space, Tanaka said. 

"Through this project we can make those people interested and stimulate their scientific curiosity. We can move their hearts," Tanaka told Reuters. 

The Hello Kitty project, which launched in June, has been one of trial and error for the Tokyo-based satellite developers. 

The researchers have been working on manoeuvring the satellite so it would point in the right direction when taking photos of Hello Kitty with Earth as a backdrop for the past two months. They also used special paint to coat the Hello Kitty mascot to protect it from UV rays, cosmic rays and vacuum space. 

Sanrio has asked fans to submit 180-character messages that Hello Kitty could deliver from space to friends and family. Sanrio received 100 submissions in the first day, said Kazuo Tohmatsu, the company's spokesman. 

Hello Kitty, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is Sanrio's most popular character. The mouthless cat has become a symbol of Japan's culture of "kawaii," or cute, and is used to market everything from plush toys to aircraft. — Reuters

3D-printed wind turbine puts 300W of power in your backpack



For the most part, portable energy generators are intended for modest uses. They can charge your phone, but they won't drive high-powered laptops or small appliances. That might change if Omni3D gets its crowdfunded AirEnergy 3D off the ground. 

The 3D-printed wind turbine should fit into a backpack, yet produce up to 300W of power -- enough that you can keep a whole slew of devices running, including those that wouldn't run at all on solar or thermoelectric systems. It will be open source, too, since part of the goal is to let those in Africa and other developing regions create their own reliable, renewable power sources.

If you want to help out and get one of the first AirEnergy 3D models when it arrives in February, you'll need to act fast. Omni3D is only offering a handful of early units to those who pledge £290 ($484) or more. Take heart if you're not part of the first wave, though. 

The team expects to bring the cost of a basic production model down to $350, which is just cheap enough that it could either supplement your home power or keep your gadgets alive during long camping trips.

-- Engadget

Sekurang-kurangnya 21 mayat akan dibawa pulang - Wee Ka Siong

Dua lagi mayat mangsa Malaysia telah dikenal pasti pada hari ini. -Gambar fail

KUALA LUMPUR: Sekurang-kurangnya 21 jenazah rakyat Malaysia mangsa tragedi MH17 akan dibawa balik dari Amsterdam ke Kuala Lumpur pada 21 Ogos dan dijangka tiba di tanah air pada 22 Ogos. 

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, dalam satu kenyataan, berkata jumlah jenazah yang bakal di bawa pulang melebihi jumlah sebelum ini iaitu 16.

Lapan belas mayat diletakkan dalam keranda sementara baki tiga mayat telah menjalani upacara pembakaran dan abunya diletakkan dalam bekas abu.

Kerajaan Belanda juga memberitahu Kedutaan Malaysia di Belanda dan Malaysia Airlines yang dua lagi mayat mangsa Malaysia telah dikenal pasti pada hari ini.

"Kami akan berusaha lebih dan kini dalam proses membawa lagi jenazah pulang ke Malaysia. Kami sedang bekerja keras untuk mendapatkan lampu hijau untuk satu lagi jenazah untuk dimasukkan ke dalam penerbangan pertama itu.

"Kami memahami prosedur dan peraturan-peraturan di Belanda amat ketat dan kita perlu menghormati itu.
Kami berharap proses dokumentasi bagi pengendalian mangsa-mangsa warga Malaysia yang lain dapat berjalan dengan lancar," kata Wee.

Tambah Wee, beliau juga akan mengadakan pertemuan dengan Peguam Negara Tan Sri Gani Patail dan Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar bagi membincangkan isu dokumentasi dan juga urusan lain yang berkaitan dengan mangsa.

Mengenai perjalanan dari rumah jenazah ke lapangan terbang pada 21 Ogos, Wee berkata proses itu akan dilakukan secara sederhana.

"Jenazah akan dihantar ke lapangan terbang dari rumah pengebumian dan berlepas ke Malaysia pada tengah hari melalui penerbangan khas.

"Ahli keluarga mangsa akan berlepas dalam penerbangan yang lebih awal dan tiba di Kuala Lumpur kira-kira dua jam sebelum ketibaan jenazah. Ini adalah untuk membolehkan mereka menerima jenazah di lapangan terbang," katanya. - Astro Awani