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  • China Is Leading the US in 37 of 44 Key Technologies

    China Is Leading the US in 37 of 44 Key Technologies

    As the trade and tech war between the US and China heats up, a new report says China is leading in 37 of 44 key technologies.

    The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) conducted a study that was funded by the US State Department’s Global Engagement Center and a grant from The Special Competitive Studies Project. The goal of the study was to see which countries had a technological lead.

    According to ASPI, China leads the US in all but seven areas. The areas where the US still has a lead are:

    • High-performance computing
    • Advanced integrated circuit design and fabrication
    • Natural language processing
    • Quantum computing
    • Vaccines and medical countermeasures
    • Small satellites
    • Space launch systems

    In every other category, ranging from manufacturing materials to AI algorithms to nuclear waste management, China has the lead. ASPI says this could have profound, long-term repercussions:

    China’s overall research lead, and its dominant concentration of expertise across a range of strategic sectors, has short and long term implications for democratic nations. In the long term, China’s leading research position means that it has set itself up to excel not just in current technological development in almost all sectors, but in future technologies that don’t yet exist. Unchecked, this could shift not just technological development and control but global power and influence to an authoritarian state where the development, testing and application of emerging, critical and military technologies isn’t open and transparent and where it can’t be scrutinised by independent civil society and media.

    In the more immediate term, that lead—coupled with successful strategies for translating research breakthroughs to commercial systems and products that are fed into an efficient manufacturing base—could allow China to gain a stranglehold on the global supply of certain critical technologies.

    The full report is here and well worth a read.

  • Japan and Netherlands Poised to Join US in China Semiconductor Crackdown

    Japan and Netherlands Poised to Join US in China Semiconductor Crackdown

    Japan and the Netherlands may be joining the US in its efforts to isolate the Chinese semiconductor industry over security concerns.

    The US has been working to restrict high-tech components from making their way to China. Some analysts believe the country’s semiconductor industry has “collapsed,” but Beijing is spending big to revitalize it.

    According to The Guardian, Japan and the Netherlands are preparing to join the US in its efforts. The confirmation came via a US official that seemed to confirm the existence of a deal but failed to provide any details.

    “We can’t talk about the deal right now,” said Don Graves, deputy commerce department secretary. “But you can certainly talk to our friends in Japan and the Netherlands.”

    If the deal does exist, it will prove a major setback to China’s semiconductor industry, cutting it off from even more of its supply chain.

  • APAC Region Accounts for 60% of Mobile Gaming Revenue

    APAC Region Accounts for 60% of Mobile Gaming Revenue

    According to new research, the APAC (Asia-Pacific) region accounted for the lion’s share of the mobile gaming market, coming in at 60%.

    It’s not uncommon for many games to debut in China or other APAC countries, much to the disappointment of US and European games. According to research from GlobalData, however, companies are just following the money.

    GlobalData’s study found that China alone accounted for 35% of mobile gaming revenue. The US came in second with 20%. Combining the rest of the APAC region with China, however, accounted for a whopping 60% of the entire market.

    “Boasting a huge proportion of both mobile and 5G subscribers, it is certain that the APAC region will continue to lead the mobile gaming market in the 5G era,” Rupantar Guha, Associate Project Manager for Thematic Research at GlobalData says. “This is especially considering the presence of established market players such as Tencent being joined by popular non-gaming companies such as Byetedance, which is anticipated to continue making gaming acquisitions in the coming years.”

    “The APAC region’s dominance in the mobile gaming market is primarily attributable to its nearly four billion consumer mobile subscribers, which represents more than 50% of total mobile subscribers globally,” Guha continues. “Further, access to 5G networks is also supporting the growth of mobile gaming in the region.”

  • Facebook and Google Bring Fight Over News to the US

    Facebook and Google Bring Fight Over News to the US

    After being forced to work with Australian news publishers, Facebook and Google are going on the offensive in the US.

    Australia introduced legislation to force tech companies to pay for the news they link to and use. Both Facebook and Google vehemently objected, with the former briefly blocking all Australian news from its platform and the latter threatening to pull out of the country. Ultimately, both companies came to an agreement with Australian regulators and news publishers, but they clearly don’t want a repeat in the US.

    According to NBC News, both companies are stepping up their fight against a bill that was introduced in the US to address the perceived inequality between large tech platforms and the news publishers that rely on them. Google has even gone so far as to launch a website touting its support of the news publishing industry.

    To be fair, there are concerns the bill could put too much power in the hands of big publishers, as well as conglomerates that control multiple newspapers and media outlets. Nonetheless, supporters of the bill, such as Sen. Amy Klobuchar, emphasized the need for a level playing field.

    “We have to have an even playing field and allow people to negotiate,” she said in a congressional hearing.

    Not all tech giants are opposed to increased legislation. Microsoft not only sided with the Australian efforts, but has also been assisting EU publishers in efforts to duplicate that success. The company has also outspokenly voiced support for such efforts in the US.

  • Huawei May Be Pivoting to Electric Vehicles

    Huawei May Be Pivoting to Electric Vehicles

    After suffering devastating losses as a result of US sanctions, Huawei may be preparing to pivot to electric vehicles.

    Huawei quickly found itself a target of the Trump administration, amid claims the company represented a national security threat. While all Chinese firms are required to cooperate with Beijing, Huawei was widely believed to have unusually close ties with the government and intelligence community. As a result, the Trump administration banned the company from participating in US networks, and there is no indication the Biden administration will reverse those measures.

    Other countries have followed suit, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden. Multiple governments and intelligence agencies have joined the US in branding Huawei a threat.

    The bans and sanction have taken a toll on the company, once an almost unstoppable force in the tech industry. Sanctions against the company have even resulted in it selling its Honor line of smartphones and cutting production of its flagship line, due to not being able to buy enough semiconductors.

    According to Reuters, the company is now exploring a strategic shift to electric vehicle manufacturing as a result of the challenges it’s facing. Reuters sources say the company is preparing to make electric vehicles under its own brand, and the first models could arrive as soon as this year.

    A company spokesman denied the claims, although the denial left plenty of room for interpretation.

    “Huawei is not a car manufacturer. However through ICT (information and communications technology), we aim to be a digital car-oriented and new-added components provider, enabling car OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to build better vehicles.”

  • Consumer Groups Take Amazon to Task Over Prime Cancellation Process

    Consumer Groups Take Amazon to Task Over Prime Cancellation Process

    Amazon is coming under fire from consumer groups for how it handles Prime cancellation.

    Amazon Prime is a wildly popular service the online giant offers, providing expedited shipping, steaming services, ebooks, groceries, gaming and more. Given everything the service offers, it’s $119 per year fee is a good deal, especially compared to other streaming services.

    When customers do want to cancel, however, Amazon doesn’t make it easy, running them through multiple prompts and warnings. This has caught the attention of consumer groups in both the US and the EU, according to The Seattle Times.

    A Norwegian customer rights group has filed a legal complaint against Amazon, citing the company’s cancellation policy.

    “It should be as easy to end a subscription as it was to subscribe in the first place,” said Finn Lützow-Holm Myrstad, director of digital policy for the Norwegian Consumer Council. “This practice not only betrays the expectations and trust of consumers but breaches European law.”

    Groups in other EU countries have expressed support, sharing similar concerns. Even in the US, the Public Citizen consumer group has asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Amazon’s policy.

    “Amazon should treat customers with respect instead of trying to undermine their autonomy and fight their decisions,” said Burcu Kilic, Public Citizen’s director of digital rights program.

    It remains to be seen if regulators will do anything about Amazon’s Prime cancellation, but the scrutiny is further evidence of the increased pressure Big Tech is under.

  • Huawei Willing to Meet Any Demand From Swedish Government

    Huawei Willing to Meet Any Demand From Swedish Government

    Huawei has signaled it is willing to meet any demand the Swedish government may impose to avoid being banned from the country’s 5G networks.

    Huawei is under increased pressure globally as multiple countries implement bans and restrictions on the Chinese telecoms firm. While the US originally spearheaded the campaign to isolate and restrict Huawei, claiming the company poses a national security threat, other countries have arrived at the same conclusion.

    Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Romania have banned Huawei from their networks, while the UK implemented a ban under pressure from the US. Sweden implemented a ban of their own, on both Huawei and ZTE, over the same kind of concerns the US has cited. Huawei challenged the ban in court and won a temporary reprieve, as the courts ordered the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority to delay its spectrum auction to allow more time for the matter to be resolved.

    Huawei is determined to get back in Sweden’s good graces, and is willing to do whatever it takes according to Reuters.

    “We are even willing to meet extraordinary requirements, such as setting up test facilities for our equipment in Sweden, for example, if they want to,” Kenneth Fredriksen, Huawei’s Executive Vice President, Central East Europe and Nordic Region, told Reuters.

    “We are now in the middle of the court process, but we are willing to have pragmatic discussions.”

    It remains to be seen if Huawei’s overtures will be successful, especially since Sweden’s ban was based on analysis by the country’s military and security experts.

  • UK Bans Huawei Equipment Installation Starting September

    UK Bans Huawei Equipment Installation Starting September

    UK has announced carriers must stop installing Huawei equipment by September 2021, as it ramps up its ban.

    Despite US pressure, the UK initially resisted calls to ban Chinese firm Huawei from its 5G networks. Eventually, however, the UK government reversed course, ruling that all Huawei equipment must be removed from the country’s 5G networks by the end of 2027. Companies had been prohibited from purchasing new equipment after the end of 2020, however. Despite that, lawmakers were concerned companies would stockpile equipment before the purchasing deadline, allowing them to continue using it until the ban went into full effect at the end of 2027.

    To help prevent that from happening, the UK government has now said telecom carriers may not install any new Huawei equipment after September 2021.

    “Today I am setting out a clear path for the complete removal of high risk vendors from our 5G networks,” said Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden. “This will be done through new and unprecedented powers to identify and ban telecoms equipment which poses a threat to our national security.”

    Secretary Dowden also emphasized the importance of no longer being dependent on just a few vendors.

    “We are also publishing a new strategy to make sure we are never again dependent on a handful of telecoms vendors for the smooth and secure running of our networks. Our plans will spark a wave of innovation in the design of our future mobile networks.”

  • Google Invests $450 Million In ADT, Forms Nest Partnership

    Google Invests $450 Million In ADT, Forms Nest Partnership

    Google has announced it is investing $450 million in security company ADT, in a multi-year partnership that will give Google a 6.6% stake.

    The deal is a win for both companies. Google benefits from ADT’s security expertise, not to mention its 20,000 professionals, who will soon be selling and installing Nest devices and services. ADT, on the other hand, benefits from Google’s AI-driven smart home developments.

    “Over time, Nest’s devices, powered by Google’s machine learning capabilities will enhance ADT’s security monitoring and become the cornerstone of ADT’s smart home offering,” writes Rishi Chandra, Vice President and GM, Nest. “The goal is to give customers fewer false alarms, more ways to receive alarm events, and better detection of potential incidents inside and around the home. It will also provide people with more helpful notifications that make everyday life more convenient, like package detection. ADT customers will also have access to Nest Aware, a service that keeps people informed about important events at home, including intelligent alerts and event history recording for up to 30 days.”

    Google has repeatedly been in the news lately, with its recent Fitbit deal under intense scrutiny in the US and the EU. Regulators are concerned with how Google will use the data it acquires from the wearables maker. It’s possible this scrutiny was a motivating factor in Google investing in ADT, rather than attempting to buy it or a competing firm outright. Whatever the motivation, it’s evident Google has high hopes for what the partnership will bring.

    “Together, we aim to create the next generation of the helpful home—based on new security solutions that will better protect and connect people to their homes and families,” writes Chandra.

  • China Says There Will Be a Cost For the UK’s Huawei Decision

    China Says There Will Be a Cost For the UK’s Huawei Decision

    China has expressed its disappointment in the UK’s decision to ban Huawei and said there will be a cost.

    The UK initially decided to allow Huawei to participate in its 5G networks in a limited role, despite US pressure to ban the Chinese firm. US officials have accused Huawei of being a threat to security. Even though the UK did not initially ban Huawei, it implemented rules to keep the company’s equipment away from sensitive locations, such as nuclear sites and military bases. In addition, Huawei equipment could not be used on the core network and could not comprise more than 35% of the network.

    After increased pressure, including sanctions that cut Huawei off from chipmaker TSMC, the UK reversed its decision. According to the BBC, China has wasted no time expressing its displeasure.

    “The UK side has used groundless risks as an excuse to co-operate with the United States… violating the relevant commitments made by the UK,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

    “Any decisions and actions must come at a cost,” she added.

    Given the UK and China’s trade relationship, further escalation could hurt both countries. Only time will tell what Ms Hua meant, and what any “cost” might entail.

  • UK Reverses Course, Bans Huawei

    UK Reverses Course, Bans Huawei

    In an about-face, the UK has announced it is instituting a complete ban of Huawei equipment from its networks.

    The US has engaged in a campaign to gets its allies to ban Huawei, as it has done. There are widespread concerns about national security risks, as Huawei has much closer ties to Chinese intelligence than many firms. As a result, it is believed the company is a spying and surveillance threat.

    Initially, the UK had opted to include Huawei in its networks, albeit in a lesser role. The company’s equipment was restricted from the more sensitive core network, and could comprise no more than 35% of the UKs’ 5G equipment. In addition, no Huawei equipment could be used near nuclear sites or military bases.

    Even that compromise solution was not popular, however, with both US officials and many in Prime Minister Johnson’s own party urging Downing Street to reconsider. Adding further pressure, the US has been ramping up restrictions on Huawei, including cutting it off from one of its main chip suppliers, TSMC.

    It appears the combination of factors have led the UK to reverse course, as it has announced a total ban on Huawei equipment. According to the government’s statement:

    “Huawei will be completely removed from the UK’s 5G networks by the end of 2027, the government has announced, following new advice produced by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) on the impact of US sanctions against the telecommunications vendor.

    “Ahead of this there will be a total ban on the purchase of any new 5G kit after 31 December 2020.”

    This is sure to hurt Huawei, as the UK was one of the first countries in Europe to welcome the Chinese firm years ago. It also remains to be seen what repercussions there will be, as China has a history of threatening countries over Huawei.

  • Samsung Ready to Replace Huawei in UK

    Samsung Ready to Replace Huawei in UK

    As the UK revisits its decision to include Huawei in its 5G network, Samsung has signaled it is ready and able to fill any gap created by banning Huawei.

    Despite pressure from US officials, the UK ultimately chose to include Huawei in its 5G network, albeit in a limited role. Almost immediately, Prime Minister Johnson nearly faced a rebellion within his own party over the decision. Pressure from the US increased, with US officials signaling they might have to withdraw military and intelligence assets from the UK over the decision.

    Meanwhile, the US has also been working to limit Huawei’s ability to function, even going so far as to cut them off from TSMC, one of their primary semiconductor manufacturers. All of these factors caused UK officials to reconsider their decision, with a ruling expected soon.

    One ongoing challenge, however, is whether the UK can deploy a 5G network in a reasonable amount of time without Huawei. Should the UK choose to go that route, it appears at least one major company believes they can step in where Huawei was originally slated to be.

    According to Reuters, when asked if Samsung could successfully replace Huawei in building a 5G network in the UK, executive vice president Woojune Kim said: “Yes we can, definitely.”

  • British Government May Be Moving Closer to Huawei U-Turn

    British Government May Be Moving Closer to Huawei U-Turn

    The British government may be moving closer to reversing its decision to include Huawei in its 5G rollout.

    Huawei has been under increasing pressure globally amid accusations that it helps the Chinese government spy on governments and organizations around the world. While all Chinese corporations are required to cooperate with the government, Huawei has been accused of having far closer ties with the Chinese intelligence community than most companies.

    Despite ongoing US pressure to exclude Huawei, the British government initially opted to include the Chinese firm in a limited capacity. Recent events, however, have forced the UK to reconsider. US officials have repeatedly warned that including Huawei would force the US to revisit sharing intelligence and military assets with the UK. The US has also taken efforts to restrict Huawei’s supply of semiconductors.

    It appears the increased pressure is having an impact. According to The Guardian, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told a defense committee that an emergency review was nearly finished and would likely result in a change of policy.

    “Given that those sanctions are targeted at 5G and extensive, it is likely to have an impact on the viability of Huawei as a provider for the 5G network,” Dowden told the MPs.

    If the UK does reverse course, it will be a significant blow to Huawei, while providing US official with a major win.

  • UK/Huawei Showdown Heats Up

    UK/Huawei Showdown Heats Up

    The ongoing showdown over the UK’s decision to revisit Huawei’s role in the country’s 5G network is heating up.

    In contrast to the US, Australia and New Zealand, the UK is the only one of the so-called “Five Eyes” alliance of countries that formally decided to include Huawei in its 5G network plans, albeit in a limited role. Meanwhile, the fifth member of the Five Eyes, Canada, is still undecided.

    Ultimately, however, multiple factors have forced the UK to revisit its initial decision. US officials have warned that involving Huawei in its network would force the US to reconsider its military and intelligence assets within the UK. On top of that, the US has taken measures to limit Huawei’s access to the semiconductor chips it needs for its equipment, further endangering the UK’s plans.

    Now that the UK is officially reviewing the decision, parties on both sides are mounting increasing pressure. According to CNBC, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has come out in favor of the UK’s security review, telling BBC radio “I trust that the U.K. government will design their networks in ways that protect the networks and make sure that the U.K. has secure 5G networks.”

    On the flip side, Huawei is pulling out the stops to win over public opinion. According to the BBC, the Chinese company is engaging in a newspaper and internet media blitz to remind the British public that it has been in business in the UK for some 20 years.

    Ultimately, there will be winners and losers regardless of what the UK decides. If it continues with its plans to include Huawei, it risks its “special relationship” with the US. If, on the other hand, it bans Huawei as the US has done, it risks alienating one of its biggest trading partners.

  • UK Will Reevaluate Huawei’s Role in Networks

    UK Will Reevaluate Huawei’s Role in Networks

    Following a decision to allow Huawei to participate in Britain’s next-gen networks, it seems as though the government is reevaluating its stance.

    Huawei has been accused of being a part of Beijing’s spying apparatus, essentially giving the Chinese government a backdoor into any entity using Huawei’s equipment. As a result, the US has engaged in an extensive campaign to limit Huawei’s growth, trying to convince its allies to ban the firm as the US has done. Most recently, the US has moved to cut off Huawei’s supply of semiconductors, using a rule that puts restrictions on who foreign companies that use US technology can sell to.

    In spite of its efforts, the US was dealt a setback when its closest ally opted to allow Huawei to participate in its 5G rollout. Bloomberg is reporting, however, that the UK may be reconsidering that decision.

    “The security and resilience of our networks is of paramount importance,” a British government spokesperson said in an email. “Following the U.S. announcement of additional sanctions against Huawei, the NCSC is looking carefully at any impact they could have to the U.K.’s networks.”

    It will be interesting to see what the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) finds, but it won’t be surprising if the UK reverses its decision, at least to some degree. The move to allow Huawei to participate in British networks was unpopular among a large portion of the government, and that will likely add even further impetus toward a potential mulligan.

  • US Assets Could Be Pulled From UK Over Huawei Deal

    US Assets Could Be Pulled From UK Over Huawei Deal

    The US is reviewing its military and intelligence assets in the UK and may pull them out following the UK’s decision to use Huawei.

    The US has banned Huawei and engaged in a campaign to pressure its allies to do the same, especially those allies that, along with the US, constitute the Five Eyes. Comprised of the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US, the Five Eyes work closely on the international scene and share intelligence. The UK, in particular, shares a very close relationship with the US, a relationship that has been strained with the UK’s decision to include Huawei in its 5G network.

    According to The Telegraph, the UK’s decision may soon result in action on the part of the US. The Telegraph says that half a dozen sources have confirmed that a review is underway to determine what military and intelligence assets in the UK may need to be pulled out.

    “This was not a bluff. You cannot mitigate the danger Boris Johnson is exposing the UK to by letting Huawei into the network,” said one of the sources.

    “This review is not a punishment. This is the White House saying ‘okay, if they’re going to go down this path and put themselves at risk then how do we protect ourselves.’”

    The coming weeks and months will no doubt be pivotal, in terms of the US and UK’s relationship. It’s also possible that such a review could put more pressure on Johnson to reverse the decision, something many in the British government already want to do.

  • China Moving Toward Stronger Intellectual Property Protections

    China Moving Toward Stronger Intellectual Property Protections

    CNN is reporting that China is investigating stronger measures to protect intellectual property rights.

    Intellectual property (IP) has been one of the battlegrounds in the U.S. and China’s trade war. China has a long history of lax IP protections, especially for foreign companies. Many a company has had their IP stolen after doing business with Chinese companies, with one in five reporting their IP stolen within the last year.

    In response, the Trump administration has considered using the Commerce Department’s “entity list” to blacklist Chinese companies who repeatedly steal IP and violate U.S. patent and copyright laws. While the entity list is usually reserved for companies deemed a military or terrorist threat, the Trump administration has argued that economic security is part of national security as a whole, thereby making companies who damage it with illegal or unethical behavior a national security threat.

    It now appears the Chinese government may be ready to make concessions. According to CNN, China “has unveiled new guidelines about the protection of intellectual property, a move that could mark a big step toward appeasing the United States, and may even help pave the way for a long-awaited trade truce.

    “Beijing’s announcement Sunday was short on detail, though the country did indicate that it could introduce stronger IP protections and toughen punishments on those who infringe them. Such measures could address a concern that Washington has been railing on for ages.”

    According to Reuters, “the document said that by 2022, China should be making progress in issues that have affected intellectual property rights enforcement, such as low compensation, high costs, and the difficulty of proof. By 2025, there should be a better system of protection in place.”

  • U.S. Government Investing in AI Research

    U.S. Government Investing in AI Research

    The U.S. has been at the head of AI research since its inception but, in recent years, China has made significant headway and narrowed the gap. Now, according to a report in U.S. News & World Report, non-military AI research is set to get a significant boost by the U.S. government.

    In fact, in the president’s 2020 budget request, AI has its own category, with nearly $1 billion requested for non-military purposes. This represents approximately 12% of the total amount requested (PDF) by Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NSTC). The NSTC says the government will focus specifically on AI algorithms, enhanced performance and AI systems that better mimic human intelligence.

    Addressing one of the biggest concerns surrounding the development of AI, the NSTC said the research will also look for ways to promote “safe and effective methods for human–AI collaboration.” This could include anything from improved interfaces to human augmentation. Already, critics of AI development have labeled it humanity’s “biggest existential threat,” making it imperative to proceed safely and responsibly.

    In spite of the nearly $1 billion slated for AI development, however, many experts say it’s not enough to keep up with China. Without additional investments, the U.S. is still at risk of falling behind in what is shaping up to be one of the most important technological frontiers in history.

  • Chuck Hagel, Defense Secretary, To Visit China

    It looks like Chuck Hagel will be missing out on the NCAA men’s basketball championship game Monday night. Hagel, the U.S. defense secretary, will be making a trip out of the country on Monday.

    Hagel will be heading to China to start off his work week and while there it is expected he will visit China’s sole aircraft carrier.

    Washington’s request to visit the aircraft carrier while Hagel is in the country for three days was quietly approved by Beijing. According to an anonymous U.S. official, the aircraft carrier visit had not been previously disclosed. The official added that Hagel will head to China from a trip to Japan, first landing in the port city of Qingdao. Hagel will then head to a Chinese naval base where he will visit the Liaoning.

    In 1998 the Liaoning, a Soviet-era ship, was bought from the Ukraine. Since then the ship has been re-fitted in a Chinese shipyard. The Liaoning has been seen as “a sign of Beijing’s ambition for greater global influence and a reminder of its growing military might.”

    According to the official they believe not only will this trip be a first for a U.S. defense secretary, but also a first for an official visitor from outside China to be on board the vessel.

    The announcement of Hagel’s visit to the Liaoning came just a day after he announced he would be visiting China. At the time Hagel said he would tell Beijing to respect their neighbors and use their “great power” wisely. At a news conference at Japan’s defense ministry on Sunday Hagel said, “Coercion, intimidation is a very deadly thing that leads only to conflict, All nations, all people deserve respect.”

    Image via YouTube.

  • Malaysian Airlines: Chinese Satellite Spots Object

    Another image of debris has been picked up by a Chinese satellite on Saturday, giving new hope for possible answers to the near three-week missing Malaysian flight MH370.

    The image is in close proximity to the other satellite images found by an Australian satellite earlier this week, in the remote stretch of the southern Indian Ocean, a vast expanse of deep and endless water.

    China’s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense said on its website that a Chinese satellite took an image of an object 22 meters (72 feet) by 13 meters (43 feet) around noon Tuesday. The image location was about 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of where two other objects were discovered.

    “The news that I just received is that the Chinese ambassador received a satellite image of a floating object in the southern corridor and they will be sending ships to verify,” Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters Saturday said.

    The latest image seems to be just another clue in the mysterious and futile search for the Boeing 777, which went missing March 8 less than an hour after leaving Kuala Lumpur heading to Beijing with 239 people on board.

    After about a week of confusion, and many suspicious officials withholding information, authorities said pings sent by the aircraft for several hours after it disappeared from radar left officials to strongly assume that the plane ended up in one of two huge arcs: a northern area stretching from Malaysia up to Central Asia, and a southern area that stretches in an arch toward Antarctica.

    The objects are extremely difficult to locate and many search teams have been involved in the effort to locate them, however, the weather and vastness of that area of ocean is making it difficult.

    Search aircraft are flying from Perth, AU, to the site, which is nearly 1500 miles to the suspected site, and with limited fuel and visibility for searching, they have found nothing.

    The efforts are being reinforced as two military planes from China arrived Saturday in Perth to join Australian, New Zealand and U.S. aircraft in the search. Japanese planes will arrive Sunday and ships are already in the area or on their way.

    Many experts feel that the search should continue on land as well, because even if both satellites detected the same object, it may be unrelated to the plane.

    Image via YouTube

  • Mikaela Shiffrin Wins Historic Gold for U.S.

    Mikaela Shiffrin has become the first U.S. Alpine women’s skier to win gold at the Sochi Olympics. She dominated the women’s Slalom with a combined time of 1:44.54.

    The victory is even sweeter for Shiffrin because the 18-year-old from Vail, Colorado is also officially the youngest women’s skier to ever win an olympic slalom, according to the Washington Post.

    Her mother said that on top of general pressure and nerves faced by a young olympian and being the surprise favorite, Mikaela was also battling a cold from the Giant Slalom that was held Tuesday entirely in frigid rain.

    “In general it’s nerve-wracking,” Mikaela’s mom Eileen Shiffrin said. “It just is. But she seemed in a good place when she went up there. But it’s funny. Nerves are funny. You can be fine one second and awful the next second. You never know when it’s going to creep in there.”

    But Mikaela didn’t seem to be suffering from nerves as much as her mom thought she would. She beat out some pretty fierce competition with a confidence that can only be manned by an 18-year-old who knows what good is, and she’s it.

    “I was pretty relaxed,” she said. “Thank goodness, because there are a couple points throughout the day where I was like, ‘Oh my God, here we go.’ But no, I was relaxed in the start, and that was awesome.”

    That winning run was very nearly thwarted by a close call early on, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her left leg seemed to have a small revolt as she cruised down the mountain.

    Her coach, Roland Pfeifer, said, “I thought it was over.”

    To which Mikaela added, “That was scary,” she said. “I thought I was going off the course.”

    But it wasn’t over, not by a long shot. She recovered and skied on to victory.

    The win was welcome for the U.S. as Americans have generally owned Alpine Skiing, taking 12 medals between the Vancouver and Sochi Games. However, the Slalom has thus far escaped American athletes. Until now.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons