Sydney/ AFP An underwater robot has captured a rare glimpse beneath the Antarctic sea ice, revealing a colourful world filled with coconut-shaped sponges, dandelion-like worms, pink algae and spidery starfish. The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) took footage on a camera attached to a Remotely Operated Vehicle sent down by scientists through a small hole drilled in the ice as …

  Relaxnews Until charging points are as plentiful as gas stations and topping up batteries as fast as filling a traditional fuel tank, many will still think twice about buying an electric car. But what if every time an electric car was stationary its batteries were automatically charging? GM has just become the first US carmaker to deliver on its …

  Realxnews Australian tech firm HButler is showcasing a new line of ladies’ purses and handbags that can recharge a smartphone at January’s Las Vegas consumer technology show (CES). “Fashion and form are important, but so too is function — the modern-day accessory needs to not only hold your personal tech items, but keep them charged and ready for use,” …

  Relaxnews The LG ProBeam will be marketed as a compact consumer projector with professional performance when it goes on sale after its global debut at CES 2017 this January. Though LG has built a solid reputation for the quality of its high-end LED projectors, this new device is the first that it has built specifically for use in and …

  DPA When Andrea Thode was on holiday at the German seaside on the Baltic coast, she headed straight for a relic of a bygone era: a rack of postcards on sale at a souvenir shop. Postcards may be a phenomenon of the century before digital communication, but for Thode and her husband, Dirk, sending postcards to her kids, neighbours …

  DPA Tadashi Sakamoto yanks a sweet potato out of the loose soil. Dark earth trickles through the farmer’s hands. “Volcanic ash is ideal for growing sweet potatoes,” says the 57-year-old, squinting in the sunlight towards the nearby Kaimondake volcano. The 924-metre-high volcano, which last erupted in the late 9th century, rises majestically from the surrounding fields in Kagoshima Prefecture. …

  DUBAI / WAM The total trade between Dubai and Spain reached AED3.4 billion during the first half of this year, Dubai Customs revealed. ‘‘Imports, exports and re-exports stood at AED2.77 bn, AED389 million exports, and AED271 mn respectively,’’ said Ahmed Abdul Salam Kazim, Director of Strategy and Corporate Excellence at Dubai Customs, as he briefed a visiting Spanish delegation …

  DUBAI / WAM The Federal National Council (FNC) on Tuesday endorsed the UAE federal budget for 2017, set in late October by the Cabinet at AED48.7 billion, with a prime focus on education, social development and health. The approval came at a third session of the FNC’s 16th legislative chapter, presided over by Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker …

  DUBAI / Emirates Business Dubai’s Department of Finance (DOF) launched the fourth stage of the Smart Fiscal Planning programme (SFP) in a ceremony that witnessed a wide representation of 35 government entities. Launching the new phase followed the DOF’s remarkable progress in implementing the previous phases. Meanwhile, efforts are still being made in order to complete the comprehensive system …

  DUBAI / Emirates Business Azizi Developments – a leading UAE-based real estate developer with global reach into international markets – announced an unprecedented launch of 50 new developments, which will comprise of residential, commercial and retail space in 2017. The announcement of such a high number of projects, ahead of the festive season and the New Year, demonstrates the …