Google Boosts Support for Checking Coronavirus Facts 

Google on Thursday said it is pumping $6.5 million into fact-checkers and nonprofits as it ramps up its the battle against coronavirus misinformation.   Fact-checking organizations, which often operate on relatively small budgets, are seeing a surge in demand for their work as mistaken or maliciously false information about the pandemic spreads, according to Alexios Mantzarlis of … continue reading -> “Google Boosts Support for Checking Coronavirus Facts “

California Energy Company Pivots to Refurbishing Ventilators 

A California hydrogen fuel cell company is now repairing and updating old ventilators, answering a challenge by the state to address a shortage of the life-saving equipment needed to help coronavirus patients breathe. Bloom Energy manufacturing director Joe Tavi told the Associated Press news agency state officials reached out to the Silicon Valley firm asking for … continue reading -> “California Energy Company Pivots to Refurbishing Ventilators “

China’s Huawei Warns More US Pressure May Spur Retaliation

Huawei’s chairman warned Tuesday that more U.S. moves to increase pressure on the Chinese tech giant might trigger retaliation by Beijing that could damage its worldwide industry.  Huawei Technologies Ltd., which makes smartphones and network equipment, reported that its 2019 sales rose by double digits despite curbs imposed in May on its access to U.S. … continue reading -> “China’s Huawei Warns More US Pressure May Spur Retaliation”

Spain Postpones 5G Spectrum Auction Due To Coronavirus

Spain will delay a planned auction of 5G spectrum due to the coronavirus outbreak, the government said on Monday.   As part of a Europe-wide drive to speed up the roll out of fast Internet and broaden coverage, Spain had been due to free up space in the 700 MHz band of its network by … continue reading -> “Spain Postpones 5G Spectrum Auction Due To Coronavirus”

Spain Tries Tracking Coronavirus, Sparking Privacy Concerns

In Madrid only a few weeks ago, thousands of demonstrators took part in a women’s march, defiant or unaware of calls for social distancing to stop what then appeared to be the distant threat of coronavirus. Now, Spain is one of the biggest battlegrounds in the global war against the pandemic.Spain’s health system is stressed … continue reading -> “Spain Tries Tracking Coronavirus, Sparking Privacy Concerns”

Coronavirus-Stricken Cities go Digital to Boost Solidarity, Wellbeing 

On the streets of Barcelona, a few lone shoppers and dog walkers, their faces obscured by masks, are the only signs of life in this once-vibrant city — but online it’s a different story.   In Spain, as in the rest of the world, increasing numbers of people are going digital to keep community spirits up and … continue reading -> “Coronavirus-Stricken Cities go Digital to Boost Solidarity, Wellbeing “

COVID-19 Started in China. To Change the Narrative, China Started to Tweet

Jeff Kao is a ProPublica reporter who FILE – In this Feb. 16, 2020, photo, a policeman stands guard at Tiananmen Gate following the coronavirus outbreak, in Beijing.Twitter continued, “Based on our intensive investigations, we have reliable evidence to support that this is a coordinated state-backed operation. As Twitter is blocked in PRC, many of … continue reading -> “COVID-19 Started in China. To Change the Narrative, China Started to Tweet”

Robots Do COVID-19 Jobs Too Dangerous for Humans

Before the coronavirus outbreak, a Beijing technology company was already working to integrate autonomous vehicles into daily life in China. They produced pint-sized sidewalk sweepers and delivery robots, but there is now a demand to repurpose the technology to take the place of workers who are staying home in the hopes of containing the virus. … continue reading -> “Robots Do COVID-19 Jobs Too Dangerous for Humans”

Coronavirus Life Poses Tech Challenges for American Teleworkers

The coronavirus pandemic has forced many office workers to do their jobs from home. And they are using technology like never before to stay connected to their colleagues and get their work done. But getting remote teams functioning isn’t like flipping a switch. Michelle Quinn reports. …

Virginia Man Uses 3D Printer to Make Mask Shields for Health Workers

A Virginia man has come up with a way to help medical workers caring for people with COVID-19. Jeremy Filko is using his 3D printer to create plastic mask shields for doctors, nurses and other first responders. VOA’s Shih-Wei Chou reports. …

US Cybersecurity Experts See Recent Spike in Chinese Digital Espionage

A U.S. cybersecurity firm said Wednesday it has detected a surge in new cyberspying by a suspected Chinese group dating back to late January, when coronavirus was starting to spread outside China. FireEye Inc. said in a report it had spotted a spike in activity from a hacking group it dubs “APT41” that began on … continue reading -> “US Cybersecurity Experts See Recent Spike in Chinese Digital Espionage”

Robots Rise to Battle Against Coronavirus

They are known as “Little White Snails,” self-driving street sweepers that for several years cleaned up parks and other public places across China. Kids liked them. Now the 4-foot-high sweepers are keeping humans safe. After the outbreak in China, over 200 Little White Snails were enlisted to fight the spread of the virus. They have been deployed … continue reading -> “Robots Rise to Battle Against Coronavirus”

EU Commission Warns of Increased Cybercrime During Coronavirus Crisis 

The president of the European Commission is warning EU citizens to beware of on-line scams, particularly for counterfeit medical products and medicines during the coronavirus crisis. In a video message released Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said with more people working from home and spending time online, they have become more susceptible to cyber criminals, particularly those exploiting fears about the virus. She says European law-enforcement agencies … continue reading -> “EU Commission Warns of Increased Cybercrime During Coronavirus Crisis “

Robots That Help People Walk Are Now A Reality

Trexo Robotics is the invention of two passionate robotics engineers who decided they wanted to help those who cannot walk or otherwise move independently. Angelina Bagdasaryan has the story narrated by Anna Rice. …

Recruiting Tech Volunteers to Fight COVID-19 in Ethiopia   

A Washington-based software developer is recruiting other techies to combat the spread of the new coronavirus in his native Ethiopia, following the lead of countries such as China and South Korea with early experience in what is now a global pandemic.“We need an army of tech volunteers to help the Ethiopian Ministry of Health collect, … continue reading -> “Recruiting Tech Volunteers to Fight COVID-19 in Ethiopia   “

2020 Campaigns Go Digital Amid Fears of Coronavirus Spread

No more rallies. No more door-knocking. And no more in-person fundraisers, raking in dollars from dozens of millionaires at once.   The coronavirus has disrupted American life, and the 2020 presidential campaign is no exception. Amid calls for social distancing to stop the pandemic’s spread, President Donald Trump and Democrats Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders … continue reading -> “2020 Campaigns Go Digital Amid Fears of Coronavirus Spread”

Southeast Asian Laws Target Rise in Cyberbreaches

Not everyone who wanted to buy the bank cards stolen from Southeast Asian owners would pay the same price: The higher the amount of money left on the card, the higher the price. That’s according to Technisanct, a cybersecurity company based in India, which said it found the data for hundreds of thousands of cards … continue reading -> “Southeast Asian Laws Target Rise in Cyberbreaches”

A Father in Quarantine, a Wedding and a Robot  

A father in quarantine on a Marine base in California was able to attend his daughter’s wedding hundreds of kilometers away in Arizona. He did so through a “telepresence robot,” directing its movements, mingling with guests and watching from the sidelines as his daughter danced at the wedding party. With more people worldwide severely curtailing … continue reading -> “A Father in Quarantine, a Wedding and a Robot  “

Apps Educate, Entertain During COVID-19 School Closures

School closures caused by the coronavirus pandemic are creating stress for many parents trying to teach and entertain their children at home. While many online educational options provide help, some parents worry about too much screen time while their kids are away from school. General view of a sign outside the Parkside Community Primary School in … continue reading -> “Apps Educate, Entertain During COVID-19 School Closures”

Apps Educate, Entertain During COVID School Closures

School closures caused by the coronavirus pandemic mean many parents are trying to come up with ways to educate and entertain their children at home. While there are many online options, some parents worry about too much screen time. VOA’s Elizabeth Lee has the details on a couple of applications that combine the physical and digital so students learning … continue reading -> “Apps Educate, Entertain During COVID School Closures”

Techies, Non-Techies Explore Mindfulness Amid Virus Fears

Technology and spirituality normally don’t go together. But at a recent conference in San Francisco there were tips on how to use technology to achieve more inner peace. Deana Mitchell went to see if it was possible. …

TikTok Reveals 1st Members of New US Content-moderation Committee

Chinese social video app TikTok named the initial members of a U.S.-focused content moderation committee to advise on its policies on Wednesday, as it faces U.S. scrutiny over data-sharing and censorship concerns.The council, which it announced in October, will meet every few months to give “unvarnished views” and advice on content moderation policies and evaluate … continue reading -> “TikTok Reveals 1st Members of New US Content-moderation Committee”

How Techies, Non-Techies Are Doing Mindfulness Amid Virus Fears

Technology and spirituality normally don’t go together. But at a recent conference in San Francisco there were tips on how to use technology to achieve more inner peace. Deana Mitchell went to see if it was possible. …

At a Silicon Valley Conference, Techies and Non Techies Try Out Mindfulness

Technology and spirituality normally don’t go together. But at a recent conference in San Francisco there were tips on how to use technology to achieve more inner peace. Deana Mitchell went to see if it was possible. …

Smartphones, Sensors Mean Motion Capture No Longer Limited to Movies

Motion capture technology is no longer just available for filmmakers and video game makers to transform human actors into other creatures. With the smartphone and other technologies, anyone can have their movements captured and analyzed to learn about how the body is moving for better physical performance and to avoid injuries.  VOA’s Elizabeth Lee has … continue reading -> “Smartphones, Sensors Mean Motion Capture No Longer Limited to Movies”