3D sewing robotic arm developed in China

HANGZHOU: Traditional ways of sewing that rely on human hands or sewing machines may undergo a drastic change, as researchers in eastern China’s Zhejiang province have created a 3D sewing robotic arm. The robotic arm can quickly scan pieces of cloth with a laser scanner, sew them together based on programmed patterns and cut threads. The whole process only takes a few minutes, reported Xinhua news agency. The 3D robotic arms are currently applied to the sewing of automotive interiors. IANS

Paris to beat Olympic traffic with flying taxis

Le Bourget: Paris aims to give visitors to the 2024 Paris Olympics a flying start by offering airborne taxis to tournament sites straight from the airport. Arrivals in the City of Light currently face an hour-long haul by train or bus into town from Charles de Gaulle airport to the north of Paris. But if Aeroports de Paris (ADP), Airbus and the RATP regional transport have their way, passengers, right after their jets halt on the runway, will be able to take to the air once again with a self-flying urban taxi of the future. AFP

Israeli city cuts Jesus link from name

Jerusalem: An Israeli city often confused with its famous neighbour Nazareth, where Christians believe Jesus was raised, has changed its name in the hope of consolidating its separate identity. A poll of over 10,000 residents of Nazareth Illit (Upper Nazareth) overwhelmingly approved the proposal to rename the city Nof Hagalil (View of the Galilee). Nazareth Illit was established in the late 1950s, just 3 km from Nazareth, with its name meant to be a temporary fix. Nazareth is the largest Arab city in Israel, and its population of 75,000 is almost entirely Muslim or Christian. AFP

Raj-era TV show to inform about colonialism

London: British-Indian filmmaker Gurinder Chadha said she hopes her new Raj-era television show about an East India Company officer, which hits TV screens in the UK on Sunday, will help inform Britain’s youth about the history of Britain’s colonial past. ‘Beecham House’, a six-part series for ITV channel, is filmed in Jaipur and set on the cusp of the 19th century during the British colonial era. It tells the story of former soldier John Beecham who arrives in India with the hope of settling down with his family in a mansion he has bought in Delhi. PTI

Promoting renewable energy

NICOSIA: A Cypriot competitor steers his solar car during a solar car challenge in Nicosia on Sunday. The solar car challenge was organised by the Cyprus Institute to promote the use of renewable energy. Teams had to design and build a solar car for less than 20 000 euros. AFP