Chinese drone makers will fit all its drones with sensors to detect airplanes and helicopters

DJI drone makers will fit all of the drones it now offers, with sensors that can detect airplanes and helicopters. The sensors can receive the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) sent out by planes and helicopters.

ADS-B technology mandated in US

Starting January 1 next year all traditional aircraft that fly through a number of controlled airspaces will require the ADS-B technology. DJI has branded its ADS-B detector Air Sense. Air Sense will alert whomever is piloting the drone that a plane or helicopter is nearby. It will not automatically cause the drone to move away from the aircraft but will prompt the drone pilot to do so.

DJI already has many safety features in its drones

The Federal Aviation Administration is not mandating ADS-B on drones but DJI has been proactive and has already installed the system on some of its professional drones such as the Matrice 200 and Mavic 2 Enterprise.

The DJI drones have obstacle avoidance technology, as well as geofencing, altitude limits and the ability to automatically return to its takeoff spot. However, all of these features have not stopped inexperienced or reckless drone pilots from flying too close too or even making contact with aircraft. However, since the response of Air Sense is too warn the pilot not to automatically move away there could still be some cases where drones get too close to aircraft resulting in the closing down of airports.

DJI drones

Wikipedia describes DJI: "SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd.[3] (doing business as DJI) is a Chinese technology company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong with manufacturing facilities throughout the world. It is known as a manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), commonly known as drones, for aerial photography and videography. DJI also design and manufacture camera gimbals, flight platforms, cameras, propulsion systems, camera stabilizers, and flight control systems. DJI is the world's leader in commercial and civilian drone industry, accounting for over 70% of the drone market."

DJI’s name stands for Dà-Jiāng Innovations, but it used to mean Dà-Jiāng Sciences. The enclosed video shows a spotlight on one of DJI's drones being tested. The US government is worried about the Chinese drones as spies as noted on the appended photo.

Huawei plans to release its own operating system for smart phones and tablets later this year

Huawei is planning to release smartphones and tablets with its own operating system later this year. Huawei has only 90 days before its devices will no longer have access to new software updates, for Google's (Alphabet) Android operating system.

New US trade restrictions for security reasons will block doing business with Huawei except with a government license.

Huawei's plan B

Richard Yu, Huawei's CEO said previously that the company was preparing for the clamp down by the Trump administration with the plan for developing its own operating system and other technology, its plan B. The US has consistently claimed that Huawei the world's second largest smart phone maker after Samsung has secret ties to the Chinese state. However, the US has yet to provide hard evidence of this. A recent Digital Journal article discusses technology security risks and Huawei.

Huawei has yet to publicly confirm that it is launching its own operating system which has been under development for years. However, Chines media it was planning its release this autumn. Yu made his announcement in a private messaging group WeChat according to local media.

US government grants a 90 day temporary licence

The US government granted Huawei a temporary licence to trade with Google and other companies until 19 August. The temporary license is said to be intended to minimize the disruption the government decision will cause to Huawei smartphone owners around the globe. Another recent Digital Journal article explores the problems the US and Google decision will cause for Huawei.

Reng Zhengfei, Huawei founder said though : "The US 90-day temporary license does not have much impact on us, we are ready..Huawei's 5G will absolutely not be affected. In terms of 5G technologies, others won't be able to catch up with Huawei in two or three years."

Zhengei also noted that its other businesses will not be hurt by the ban and that the US government was very much underestimating the strength of the company.

Trump's decision will hurt some US tech companies

While in the short term Huawei may be hurt by the Google ban and Trump decision in the longer term it will hasten Huawei's and other Chinese companies drive to develop their own cutting edge technology. It will also severely hurt some US companies which make considerable revenue from sales of parts and licensing their technology to Huawei. Some US chipmakers some of whom are already in dire straits will be hard hit by the ban.

A recent article notes: "The U.S. move escalates trade-war tensions with Beijing, but also risks making China more self-sufficient over time. Shares of U.S. tech companies slid on Monday as investors fretted the move against Huawei could crimp sales for companies, especially chipmakers, with revenue heavily tied to China."

The US move, no doubt part of continuing trade war between the two countries, represents a lose-lose situation and in the longer term the US may lose the most rather than getting the trade deal with China it hopes such measures will bring.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Top Pentagon and US State Dept. officials meet with Carlos Vecchio

Carlos Vecchio recognized by the US as the de facto ambassador from Venezuela to the US from the US-supported coup led by Juan Guaido met yesterday with top officials from both the Pentagon and US State Dept. in Washington.

Vecchio claims the talks were quite positive

Vecchio also said the situation "continues to advance". Vecchio may be making a move to directly contact the US military that some in the Venezuelan opposition that are part of the coup attempt have been seeking for some while. The meeting with Pentagon officials in particular suggest that the US may be considering a military intervention to install Guaido as the interim president driving the incumbent Maduro out of power. The US State Dept. has reiterated its position on negotiations with Maduro saying there can be no talks with him. The US position is that they support Guaido, have demanded that Guaido take over the presidency, and this should happen.

A recent article describes the US position: "The United States for now has ruled out holding any negotiations with Nicolás Maduro and instead is focused on how to orchestrate a “dignified exit” for the Venezuelan leader after an opposition uprising and a series of sanctions failed to oust him from power.“We have been very clear that negotiations with Maduro are not possible,” a senior State Department official told the Miami Herald."

Norway peace talks

In spite of the US saying there will be no negotiations Norway is sponsoring exploratory peace talks with representatives from both the Maduro government and the opposition. Maduro said the talks sought to build a peaceful agenda for the country. Norway has a history of trying to mediate conflict resolution.

Opposition legislator Stalin Gonzalez and two advisers represented Guaido's side, while Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez and Miranda State Governor Hector Rodriguez went to Oslo on behalf of the government.

Each side met separately with Norwegian mediators but there was no direct meeting between the two opposing representatives.

Guaido was less optimistic about the meeting than Maduro. Guaido insisted that any "mediation initiative" should start from the end of the usurpation, that is Maduro should resign. This attitude is likely to ensure the failure of the peace initiative. The opposition may have gone just to pretend they are willing to consider a negotiated solution. However, this could only be a surrender by Maduro.

Guaido appears to be growing more open to a US military intervention as other attempts haves so far failed and the Venezuelan military on the whole continues to support Maduro.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Chinese users rally around Huwaei after US actions against it

After a US government order that will limit or end trade with any foreign company that is regarded as a security risk Google (Alphabet) cut off Huawei's license to use Android proprietary apps and services on its Android phones.

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The US government order

A recent Digital Journal article notes: "In the midst of a trade war with Beijing, President Donald Trump has barred US companies from engaging in telecommunications trade with foreign companies said to threaten American national security. The measure targets Huawei, a Chinese telecoms giant in Washington's sights that is listed by the Commerce Department among firms with which American companies can only engage in trade after obtaining the green light from the authorities. The ban includes technology sharing."

Google's response

Google said that it is complying with the order as well as reviewing its implications. Google will need to halt much of its business activity with Huawei. It will not be able to transfer hardware software and technical services that are not publicly available. It will only be able to use the open source publicly available version of Android but with none of the popular proprietary apps and services according to a source close to the matter.

Chinese consumers respond

The Google license cutoff is less of a problem in China as most of the services and apps do not function in China anyway. But social media posts on Weibo and Douyin exhibit strong support for Huawei according to the site What's On Weibo.

Chinese customers are posting on social media that they will continue to buy Huawei phones and other devices in the future. Hashtags such as "Huawei doesn't need to rely on America for its microchips" and "Huawei's Self-Developed Operating System Hong Meng" were trending on Chinese social media. The posts highlight that Huawei has already developed its own components for its phones and it has been developing its own operating system for just such a contingency as is happening now.

In a recent interview with the German magazine Die Welt Huawei executive Richard Yu said: “We have prepared our own operating system, if it turns out we can no longer use these systems, we will be ready and have our plan B.”

Huawei began working on its own operating system in 2012 when the US began an investigation into Huawei as well as ZTE. It was still developing the system in 2016. If Huawei is not able to get technology from the US that it licenses, it will no doubt quickly transfer to using its own technology.

US order will hurt US tech companies

Many US firms are part of China's supply chain. Last year US firms sold an estimated $11 billion worth of components to Huawei.

Trump's executive order could in effect ban makers of US hardware and software from selling to Huawei by requiring a special license to do. There are 90 days before the order goes into effect.

Bloomberg News reports that the US-based chipmakers, Intel, Qualcomm, Broadcom and Xilinx have all indicated that they would halt shipments to Huawei. This will help hasten Chinese development of its own chip technology as well as removing an important large and no doubt profitable markets from the US firms. Other companies selling in China such as Apple may also suffer as a result of more Chinese supporting their national products. This will be exacerbated by Chinese retaliatory tariffs that will make US products more expensive.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Iraqi oil minister critical of Exxon's decision to evacuate staff from an oil field

(May20) Thamer Ghadhban, Iraq's Minister of OIl, in a statement on Sunday was very critical of Exxon Mobil's decision to evacuate foreign staff from West Qurna 1 oil field.

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Iraqi Oil Minister claims the evacuation was for political reasons only

Exxon Mobil, which has a long term contract to improve the oilfield on behalf of Iraq’s state South Oil Company, withdrew all foreign staff, around 60 people, Iraqi officials have said. The Exxon evacuation took place just days after the US withdrew its non-essential staff from the US embassy in Baghdad fearing that there could be attacks on it by Shiite militia. Many Shiite militia in Iraq have close ties to Iran. Any attacks such as that described will no doubt be blamed by the US on Iran heightening tensions with Iran and Iraq even more.

Iraqi Oil Minister Thamer Ghadhban issued a statement on Sunday claiming the decision of Exxon Mobil to evacuate foreign staff from the West Qurna 1 oilfield, was “unacceptable and unjustified.”

However Exxon said that the move was precautionary as the oilfield is in the south of Iraq near the border with Iran. The justification implies that the move had to do with increasing tensions between Iran and the US.

Ghabhban said that the evacuations had nothing to do with the security situation or any threats in the area, saying he believed it was purely for “political reasons.” He says he sent a letter to Exxon Mobil calling for the immediate return of the workers.

A recent Reuters article quotes Ghadhban: “The withdrawal of multiple employees - despite their small number - temporarily has nothing to do with the security situation or threats in the oilfields in of southern Iraq, but it’s for political reasons."

Iraq government angry with the US

The US is putting pressure on the Iraqi government, but that government is already so angry with the US that it was voting on a bill this weekend that would evict US troops from Iraq as discussed in a recent Digital Journal article.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Google cuts off Huawei's android license causing the company more troubles

(May 19)Following the US government's crackdown on Chinese technology companies particularly Huawei, Google (Alphabet) has cut off Huawei's Android licence. This will deal one more blow to the besieged company.

News first reported by Reuters

The Reuters report said: "Alphabet Inc’s Google has suspended business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware, software and technical services except those publicly available via open source licensing, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Sunday, in a blow to the Chinese technology company that the U.S. government has sought to blacklist around the world."

What Huawei smartphones lose

The move by Google means that Huawei will lose access to updates to the Android operating system except when they become available on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). The next version of the Android smartphone will also not be able to access popular services such as the Google Play Store, Gmail and YouTube apps. Huawei will only be able to get the public version of Android AOSP but not access to proprietary apps and services that Google provided before. Customers outside of China expect these proprietary apps and services on their phones. The Android operating system and AOSP are described by this Wikipedia article.

Trump administration has blacklisted Huawei

As Sky News reported recently: "Donald Trump has declared a "national emergency" as his administration imposed severe sanctions on Chinese telecoms giant Huawei.The president signed an executive order which - while it did not name Huawei - bars US companies from using telecommunications equipment made by firms deemed to pose a national security risk."

The US government fears that China may use Huawei to spy on American networks. Back in 2018 US intelligence agencies warned against using Huawei and ZTE devices. Some US politician have claimed that Huawei is "effectively an arm of the Chinese government." The US has tried to get EU countries to ban Huawei from 5G networks.

The Huawei denies that the Chinese government can use trapdoors in its equipment for spying and has even guaranteed Germany a "no-spy" guarantee as reported in a recent Digital Journal article. Last month another Digital Journal article discussed Huawei as a security risk.

US and Google's actions will hurt Huawei

Now a huge US-based global corporation has joined the US government in actions that threaten Huawei's ability to successfully market its products. The US uses bullying and threats to ensure that other countries follow its own policy when it can. However, the US policies may cause a backlash. Foreign countries may decide to develop their own technology rather than licence the software from US companies if a US company will not provide it to them perhaps for security reasons or under pressure from the US government. So far Google has not explained the reason for its move.

Huawei is already creating its own operating system. While this may bring even more suspicion on Huawei from some quarters it means that the company is developing its own technology which could prove superior and it also will develop its own apps. taking away some of the market from Google.

Together with the blacklisting announcement by Trump, the Google move can only add to the tensions in the trade war of the US and China. China is even less likely now to return to the bargaining table.

Previously published in Digital Journal

Air Force solicits proposals for an autonomous aircraft

The Air Force Research Laboratory has put out a solicitation for an autonomous aircraft that would be used to rescue pilots and other people from downed aircraft in dangerous situations.

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Whenever, a US Air Force aircraft crashes a rescue team is quickly dispatched to the crash site in order to secure the wreckage if possible and recover the pilot or any others who were on the aircraft. However, in some situations this is dangerous and puts the additional personnel at risk. This is especially the case if there could be enemy fire. In order to avoid this, the Air Force is considering the possibility of adding an autonomous aircraft to its rescue tools.

Requirements for the autonomous aircraft

The solicitation describes the objective of the autonomous aircraft: " Develop and demonstrate a low cost aerial platform capable of transporting 2-4 military personnel (one in medical litter) with no onboard traditional pilot and capable of at least 100 mile radius at speeds above 100kts and taking off and landing at unprepared locations approximately 50 by 50 feet but no larger than 150 ft. for supporting combat search and rescue, personnel recovery, and special operations in the field. "

The aircraft should be able to carry up to 1,400 pounds of equipment as well. Water recovery capability is desirable but not required. The aircraft should also have a low "acoustic audible signature" on takeoff and landing. The Air Force does not say what the vehicle would look like. It could be an autonomous helicopter, a tilt-rotor aircraft, or something else.

The uses of the aircraft

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Hostage Rescue Team conducting training via helicopter. The FBI's Hostage Rescue Team is a law enforcement-based counter-terrorism team in the United States.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

While the aircraft could be a low-cost alternative to search and rescue teams it could also have other functions. The proposal notes that the vehicle could be used in "combat search and rescue, personnel recovery, and special operations". It could be used not only to rescue a downed pilot it could deliver or help remove special operation forces from an area where it would be too dangerous for a helicopter. People in the plane would need no training to operate it. Its activation could be as simple as pressing a button.

There have been a number of civilian efforts to develop autonomous planes by such companies a Airbus, Bell, Boeing and many others. Some of this research such as that on flying cars could be of use in creating the vehicle the Air Force Research Lab wants. However, military models would need to be more robust and fit a wide range of uses.

The solicitation is just the first step in a far longer process. Any companies responding to the solicitation will need to show the Air Force Lab that it is able to actually build and deliver the concept model before the vehicle will actually be developed and tested. One this is all done the move can be made to production. Eventually there could be a revised model aimed at the civilian marketplace.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

US airstrikes in Helmand Province kills 17 police and wounds 11

(May 18)After one report claims that US airstrikes in the Helmand Province hit the 601 highway battalion of the Afghan police killing 17 and wounding 11, the US is trying to blame the Afghan military for the incident.

Friendly fire strikes in Afghanistan

Friendly fire strikes have become more common especially when, as now, the US forces are relying heavily on air strikes rather than ground actions. The strikes have hit whatever looks to them as a group of combatants. Sometimes they do not ensure that they are not hitting combatants on the wrong side.

Afghan Defense Forces called in the strike

Officials say the air attack was called in by the Afghan Defense Forces who were engaged in fighting the Taliban somewhere in the area. The US claimed they had asked the Afghan Forces to make sure the area was clear of friendly forces but they failed to do so.

A recurring problem with US airstrikes is that the US does make a strenuous effort to make sure what they are bombing are the enemy forces. In recent months the US has been killing more Afghan civilians.

Casualty reports differ

The casualty figures cited are from Tolo news. However, Radio Free Afghanistan put the dead at only nine.

Afghan spokesperson Colonel Dave Butler said: “During heavy fighting with the Taliban in Lashkar Gah in Helmand province, our Afghan National Defense and security partners requested precision air support. We support our Afghan security partners, we deconflicted the requested support with an Afghan coordination unit to ensure the areas were clear of friendly forces. They reported and confirmed the areas were clear of friendly forces. Unfortunately, they were not and a tragic accident resulted. Afghan Security Forces as well as Taliban fighters were killed in the strikes. We’re examining the miscommunication to ensure it is not repeated. We regret this tragic loss of life of our partners and are committed to improvement every day with every mission."

The Afghan interior ministry earlier said it was investigating whether the officers were killed in an airstrike or in clashes with the Taliban. It appears that the airstrikes contributed to the killings although they seemingly were engaged with the Taliban at the time as well.

Taliban control or contest much of Helmand province

As in many other provinces the Taliban control or contest more than half of the districts in Helmand. They regularly deliver heavy blows to the Afghan forces who have taken the lead in the battle since late in 2014 from NATO forces. There have been off and on peace talks but so far no peace deal. Without the aid of the US, the Afghan forces no doubt would be even less able to meet the challenge of the Taliban insurgency.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Wing owned by Alphabet (Google) to start drone deliveries in Finland

Wing, owned by Alphabet (Google) will start a drone delivery service in Helsinki the Finnish capital next month. Delivery will be to people in the Vuosaari district the most populous area of the city from the gourmet Herkku Food Market and Cafe Monami,

Limitations on delivery

Wing said in its initial announcement of the trials that the delivery flights would involve a maximum of 10 km in distance with packages weighing 1.5 kg or less. Deliveries are expected to take about ten minutes.

Wing has been carrying out test flights in Teisko just north of Helsinki to make sure the drones are up to flying in harsh weather conditions. Wing also has been holding events in Vuosaari to prepare residents for the sight and sound of drones flying in their neighborhood.

In Australia there have been complaints of noisy drones

In the Bonython area of Canberra some residents are up in arms over the noise of delivery drones. Bonython resident Irena claimed the daily life of her family was severely impacted, and admitted she took her children away from the house for hours each weekend just to escape the sound of drones. Irena said: "With the windows closed, even with double glazing, you can hear the drones. We're worried about the noise issue, the issue about privacy, we're worried about the wildlife that seems to have disappeared from the area — there aren't as many birds as before. From a quarter past seven in the morning we'd hear our first drone flyover and you won't be able to sleep for the rest of the day because the drones are flying from 7am to 4pm."

The group Bonython Against Drones claims that more than 500 people have signed petition that calls on the drones to be banned. The petition and negative reports have not been sufficient to prevent the Australian aviation authority form granting Wing regulatory approval to start making public deliveries.

Wing also has approval from US authorities to begin making deliveries in Virginia in the coming months.

Amazon drone delivery in the doldrums

Amazon's Prime drone delivery service has been quiet. Prime Air did drone deliveries in the UK back in 2016 to much fanfare and another in the US in 2017 but not much seems to have happened recently. However, last year an Amazon spokesperson said that the company remained committed to making drone deliveries a reality.

There have already been commercial medical deliveries in North Carolina.

US buildup of arms amid claimed threat from Iran worries many analysts

(May 17)There is much discussion in the news about the US sending more forces to the Middle East to counter some unspecified threat to the US from Iran. This is escalating tensions between the two countries and war could potentially break out.

Little information about Iranian threat provided to the public

The Iranian threat is said to be a cause for alarm among many US lawmakers and top Washington officials. There is a wish among officials and everyone else for more information rather than idle speculation.

A few US Congress leaders have been given classified briefing

A recent AP article reports: "Congressional leaders received a classified briefing on Iran from the White House Thursday following criticism that lawmakers have been kept out of the loop about recent military moves in the Middle East. Members of the so-called Gang of Eight were tight-lipped as they left the briefing. The ranking member of the Senate intelligence committee, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, refused to comment on the classified information discussed, but said more lawmakers should be informed of the Iran threat.“I think obviously there are certain protections that have to be maintained for Gang of Eight but it’s very important that more members hear this story.""

There is to be a second classified briefing for the entire House and Senate planned for next week. Perhaps more information will lead from that.

Many concerned threats could lead to war with Iran

Representative Thornberry a Texas Republican said after the briefing that he is convinced of the threat from the briefing and that their is cause for greater concern that Americans might be targeted by Iran. However, other US Congress members are comparing what is happening to what the US did prior to the US 2003 invasion of Iraq. They are pushing for more information about what the US is doing and why.

Nancy Pelosi the House Speaker noted that Congress has never authorized a war against Iran. However, President Trump insists that he has all the authority he needs as Commander in Chief to order operations against Iran unilaterally.

It is ironic that the US considers Iran a threat to its forces in Iraq and elsewhere near Iran but the mainstream press never or hardly even seems to suggest that US forces and bases in such close proximity to Iran are an obvious threat to Iran. Imagine the US reaction if Iran had military bases, and naval forces in Cuba or Mexico. The US threatened war when the USSR tried to put missiles in Cuba.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Grumpy Cat, famous on the Internet dies at a little over seven years old

Grumpy Cat who was famous on the Internet, died this week of complications from a urinary tract infection. She was just a little more than seven years old.

Grumpy's owners announced Grumpy's death on social media with a post that celebrated her unique disposition that "helped millions of people smile around the world". The cat's real name as opposed to her nickname was Tardar Sauce.

Grumpy's rise to fame

When Grumpy was just five months old a Reddit post showing Grumpy in 2012 went viral. Grumpy quickly became a meme with image macros being put on top of the viral photo that played on her remarkably displeased look. Grumpy's owners say that the perpetually displeased look and small size are because Grumpy has feline dwarfism.

Feline Dwarfism

Wikipedia describes feline dwarfism under the heading "Dwarf Cats": "A dwarf cat is any domestic cat which has the condition of dwarfism due to a genetic mutation. Unlike undersized cats of normal proportions, dwarf cats display symptoms of osteochondrodysplasia—genetic disorders of bone and cartilage, typically manifested as noticeably short legs.[1] Since the mid-twentieth century, cat breeds with embedded dwarfism have been developed for commercial sale. The ethics of their selective breeding is hotly debated, and many countries prohibit it as cruelty to animals." In the US especially special breeds have been developed but they will not be listed in many countries where the breeding of them is regarded a cruelty to animals.

Many think the dwarf cats cute but their condition is a genetic mutation that comes with health issues. There are three types of dwarfism that are discussed in this article.

Among famous Internet cats Grumpy is unique

For most cats it is a specific image or video that makes them famous. KeyBoard Cat is a good example.

But the look which made Grumpy a meme she carried everywhere and could be repeated in every image.

The commercialization of Grumpy

As often happens with memes, entrepreneurs attempt to commercialize them for profit. Grumpy was no exception. Not only was Grumpy interviewed on talk shows but also was featured in promotion of Cheerios and Friskies.

There was even a movie, Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever. The movie earned a very critical review in Verge: "This spectacle is about as absurd as it is sad. ..Can any of us honestly imagine life being anything other than grump-inducing for Grumpy Cat at this point? Isn't it possible that we're in fact making her grumpy by this unnecessary adulation? When will we stop allowing this cat to be trotted around like a circus act? When will the cash grabs cease? Is there literally no other animal we can passively make memes of? The party's over. It's time to let Grumpy Cat just be a cat."

There was much Grumpy Cat branded merchandise. The corporate owner of the brand sued a merchandise partner for an unauthorized Grumpy Cat coffee winning $710,000. Apparently grumpiness pays even when it is not real.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Trump defends his trade war with China even as it hurts many US farmers

US president Donald Trump is continuing to defend his trade war with China that is having a very disruptive effect on the world economy including US stocks as tariffs are raised and put on more and more goods.

Trump's defense of his trade war tactics

Trump says that the "great patriot farmers" of the US would reap the rewards when the US ultimately wins the trade war. He also said that he would compensate any farmers for any losses they have suffered from the tariffs that China placed on some US agricultural products in response to Trump's tariffs. Trump suggested that China would pay for the compensation through higher tariffs on their goods. Actually the US taxpayer will pay through higher prices for Chinese goods.

Reaction mixed to Trump's agriculture aid program

The reaction to Trump's announcement last August of a $12 billion aid program for farmers negatively affected by tariffs and the trade war was mixed with some positive and some negative.

Among the negative comments were the following: "South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke says the trade aid program is totally inadequate. "If you think that we're at 1976 cost of living, it might be, but it didn't work back then, so I don't know how it will work now. This is just more evidence that this administration had no idea how they were going to use or even act on a tariff war. This is terrible for our young farmers.."I've heard from young farmers like crazy this past couple of weeks. I've heard from bankers. I've heard from accountants. No one knows how this is going to pan out. No one is sleeping at night. This is more serious than anyone is considering."

Trump trying to mollify farmers

Trump is promising farmers that everything will turn out well. Farmers were heavy backers of Trump and if his policies hurt their interests he will suffer at the polls. The tariffs have made many US farmers noncompetitive in the Chinese market. Senator Cotton a Republican from Arkansas was less worried about farmers suffering from Trump's policy. He suggested that China would suffer more and that made the policy worth it. He also said that the suffering farmer's make is nothing compared to the sacrifice US soldier's make in US wars overseas. Farmers may not be impressed by this reasoning.

There is no sign right now of a resolution to the trade war with China. The Trump bullying tactics appear not to have worked. According to the appended video Kansas farmers are still all behind Trump. We will see if that is true next election.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

After some fires, Tesla pushes software updates

Tesla is updating software earlier than planned to all Model S and Model X vehicles after two recent high profile battery files. Tesla says it is doing this out of an abundance of caution.

Changes made to battery thermal and charging controls

The update will alter some of the settings in the battery management software that are related to charging and thermal controls but the company did not release any detail. The Tesla battery manage system is a closely guarded feature.

Recent fires

There were two fires in Asia that received much publicity. In April an older Model S apparently caught fire spontaneously while simply sitting unused in a parking structure in Shanghai. The fire could be seen on security camera and the footage went viral on social media. Tesla sent a team to investigate the fire but has not released any findings. Then this week, another Model S caught fire in a Hong Kong parking lot shortly after the owner had charged it.

Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, has been very much upset by the fires happening in Tesla vehicles. He says that are fires in regular cars are much more common and has claimed that Tesla vehicles are "over 500 percent less likely to catch fire". He does not provide sources for his claims.

Business Insider recently reported on roughly 20 incidents with Tesla vehicles catching fire since 2013. However, what stands out with the recent two mentioned is that the cars were actually parked and not running when they caught fire. Most Tesla fires as with other vehicles happen after a severe crash. These fires appear to have been a result of the batteries spontaneously starting a fire and have resulted in Tesla's quick action.

A company statement said: “As we continue our investigation of the root cause, out of an abundance of caution, we are revising charge and thermal management settings on Model S and Model X vehicles via an over-the-air software update that will begin rolling out today, to help further protect the battery and improve battery longevity"

Tesla has pushed software updates to curb fires before

In 2016 Tesla released an update to provide extra security during charging after a Model S caught fire in Norway. Back in 2013 Tesla raised the Model S traveling speed when it was traveling at highway speeds in order to lessen the risk of debris puncturing the battery pack. This update came after an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigated a number of Tesla fires. The investigation closed after Tesla added more physical protection to its battery packs.

Tesla is also having problems with its autopilot system

A recent Verge article notes: "Tesla’s advanced driver assist system, Autopilot, was active when a Model 3 driven by a 50-year-old Florida man crashed into the side of a tractor-trailer truck on March 1st, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) states in a report released on Thursday. Investigators reviewed video and preliminary data from the vehicle and found that neither the driver nor Autopilot “executed evasive maneuvers” before striking the truck.The driver, Jeremy Beren Banner, was killed in the crash. It is at least the fourth fatal crash of a Tesla vehicle involving Autopilot."

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Assange's belongings left in UK Ecuador embassy to be sent to the US

(May 14)Assange's lawyers said yesterday that Ecuador will turn over all the possessions Assange left in the Ecuadorean embassy when he was arrested in London.

Police can search Assange's room

Ecuadorean public prosecutors will allow police to search the room Assange occupied for about seven years to seize his personal belongings. The belongings include computers, mobile phones, memory sticks and other electronic devices among other items. In response to a request from the US Department of Justice for cooperation into its investigation into Assange the belongings will be sent to the US.

Assange's lawyers respond

Aitor Martinez, Assange's Madrid-based lawyer said that turning over the material was an "absolute violation of the right of defence, because they will hand over to the US all his communications with his lawyers, which are confidential."

Assange's lawyer in Ecuador, Carlos Poveda said that he had never been informed of the public prosecutor's decision. He said he was appealing the permission to seize Assange's belongings, asking that it be suspended. Should the appeal not be granted, Poveda asked that Assange be present when the room is searched.

However, Assange at present is in a London jail for fifty weeks after being found guilty of jumping bail. Judicial sources in Ecuador say that the public prosecutor's office has not made the decision public because it is part of an international cooperation document. Apparently, that includes not informing Assange's lawyer,

Assange facing extradition from the UK to the US

A US indictment charges Assange with conspiracy for working with Chelsea Manning a former US Army Intelligence Officer to try and crack a password stored on US Dept. of Defense computer back in March of 2010. Manning managed to pass on hundreds of thousands of classified documents to Wikileaks many of which revealed for the first time including the killing of two Reuters journalists in a helicopter attack. If convicted, Assange could face up to five years. However, his team of lawyers will fight the extradition process and this could take years.

Sweden reopens its investigation into rape complaints

Swedish prosecutors have decided to reopen its investigation into complaints about alleged rape in 2010. Assange fled to the Ecuadorean embassy so that he would not be extradited to Sweden to answer questions on the complaints. Assange feared that the extradition was simply designed to get him to Sweden and he would then be extradited to the US.

The editor of Wikileaks tried to collect Assange's belonging about a week ago but as you can see he was not allowed in to the embassy to do so.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Kia and Hyundai invest about $90 million US in Czech EV maker Rimac

Hyundai and sister company Kia announced that they are investing 80 million euros (about $90 million US) in Croatian electric hypercar startup Rimac.

The Korean automakers are anxious to gain access to Rimac's technology. They already have plans to build an electric prototype of one of Hyundai's N brand performance cars as well as a hydrogen fuel cell car by 2020.

No further details were announced about the cars. It is not clear how large a stake the two Korean companies have taken in Rimac.

Rimac

Wikipedia says of Rimac: "Rimac Automobili (pronounced [ rǐːmats automobǐːli ]) is a Croatian car manufacturer headquartered in Sveta Nedelja, Croatia, that develops and produces electric hypercars, drivetrains and battery systems. The company was founded in 2009 by Mate Rimac with the vision to create the sports car of the 21st century." Their Concept One is an example of their work.

The Concept One

The Concept One is an all-electric battery-powered sports car: "With a curb weight of 1,850 kg, and a power of 1,288 hp (960 kW), the Concept One can reach 100 km/h from a standstill in 2.6 seconds and continue to accelerate to the limit of 221 mph (355 km/h). 92 kWh of energy in the battery modules deliver enough thrust to permit a 600 km of range.[14] The car was first unveiled in 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, when some parts were contracted to other companies.[15] The production version was introduced in 2016."

Originally 88 units were slated to be produced but this was later cut down to eight units. All the cars were sold at almost a million dollars for each. The EV is shown on the appended video. There is now a Concept Two.

RImac's designs and technology captured attention

British automakers Aston Martin and Jaguar have both used some Rimac technology in their limited-run EV project. Jaguar's i-Pace model shown in the appended photo won a car of the year award. Indian manufacturer Mahindra and Mahindra is also powering its hypercar Pinfarina Battista using a Rimac battery pack.

Porsche which has its own EVs was so taken by Rimac's technology that it bought a ten percent stake in the company. Competitor in the hypercar area Koenigsegg uses Rimac's battery tech.

Hyundai and Kia's EVs

Both Hyundai and Kia have put a new electric SUV on the market in recent months. Both are among the most capable and most affordable EV SUV's available. Both vehicles share underlying technology. However, Rimac's tech could help both automakers make an EV that would be more suitable for the high performance demands of Hyundai's N models.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

US officials blame Iran for attacks on tankers

(May 13) A pair of Saudi oil tankers have been reported to have been sabotaged off the coast of the UAE. However, what happened is not at all clear.

There has been a US military buildup in the area

The US has been citing unspecified threats by Iran in the area widely repeated in media such as the Wall Street Journal earlier this month: "U.S. intelligence showed that Iran has made plans to target U.S. forces in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East, triggering a decision to reinforce the American military presence in the region in an effort to deter any possible moves by Tehran, U.S. officials said Monday."

A convenient excuse to launch attacks against Iran?

While officials are only saying there was sabotage. There has been no elaboration on what exactly happened to the ships or how.

A Reuters report appears to be inconsistent. It says four ships were sabotaged but then says there were two and describes them: "The UAE said on Sunday that four commercial vessels were sabotaged near Fujairah emirate, one of the world’s largest bunkering hubs lying just outside the Strait of Hormuz. It did not describe the nature of the attack or say who was behind it. The UAE on Monday identified the vessels as two crude oil tankers owned by Saudi shipping firm Bahri, a UAE-flagged fuel bunker barge and a Norwegian-registered oil products tanker.The owner of the Norwegian vessel, Thome Ship Management, said the vessel was “struck by an unknown object”. Footage seen by Reuters showed a hole in the hull at the waterline with the metal torn open inwards."

In spite of lack of knowledge of incident US blames Iran

Reuters dutifully reports: "A U.S. official familiar with American intelligence said Iran was a leading candidate for having carried out the attacks but the United States does not have conclusive proof.“It fits their M.O. (modus operandi),” said the official on condition of anonymity, suggesting Iran’s statements distancing itself from the incident were an attempt “to muddy the waters.”

Notice the careful wording. The US does not have "conclusive proof". This implies that they have some proof. However, no proof is offered just that such an action whatever it was is consistent with Iran's modus operandi. Yet there is not even any clear idea of what happened. The statement also claims that Iranian denials are attempts to "muddy the waters". The whole statement by the anonymous US official is nothing but an attempt to smear Iran and provide an excuse for a US reaction.

Reports of explosions at UAE port probably false

Several reports claim that there were explosions at a UAE report including this one: "Powerful explosions have been reported in the Emirati port of al-Fujairah, where seven oil tankers are said to have caught fire. The blasts took place early on Sunday morning, according to the Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen television channel, which reported the development hours later. It said the seven oil tankers were completely burnt and that firefighters were still trying to extinguish the blaze."

Iran felt compelled to deny that it had anything to do with the explosions and suggested they could have been done by saboteurs from a third country interested in creating an unstable situation. However, the UAE has denied that the explosions even took place.

The situation in the area is becoming increasingly dangerous and the US actions have upped tensions. It is possible that there could be outright conflict created if the US tries to punish Iran for something that they may not have done. There is even the possibility of a false flag operation or some third party such as the Saudis or Israel trying to get the US to attack Iran. This could be encouraged by hawks within the Trump administration.

Previously published in Digital Journal