Airbus unveils pioneering solar-powered drone

Farnborough: European air giant Airbus on Wednesday unveiled a solar-powered drone called Zephyr that will fly at a high altitude and fulfil the same functions as a satellite. The project was presented at Britain’s Farnborough airshow, where Airbus revealed that the Zephyr S took off on July 11 for its maiden flight from Arizona in the United States. The High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) has a wingspan of 25 metres and weighs less than 25 kg. It can fly at an altitude of 21,000 metres above the weather and conventional air traffic. Zephyr “is a mix between a satellite and a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) with the capabilities of a satellite and the flexibility of a UAV,” Airbus, said. AFP

Trump plans to repaint Air Force One red, white & blue

Washington: Air Force One’s iconic blue-and-white colour scheme may be on the way out. US President Donald Trump has announced plans to repaint the next model of the presidential aircraft. “Red, white and blue,” Trump told CBS News of his plan to have the next version emblazoned with the colours of the American flag. US aircraft manufacturer Boeing is to supply the next presidential jetliner, which won’t take to the skies for several years. “Boeing gave us a good deal, and we were able to take that,” Trump said. Air Force One has featured the blue-and-white colour scheme since the administration of President John F. Kennedy. AFP

BBC to pay damages to Richard for televising police raid

London: British singer Cliff Richard won substantial damages ($273,700) on Wednesday after London’s High Court ruled the BBC had breached his privacy by televising a police raid on his house which he said had left him feeling violated. The broadcaster used helicopters to film detectives searching the home of Richard, 77, one of Britain’s best known entertainers, when he was away on holiday in August 2014 as part of a probe into allegations of historical child sex offences. Prosecutors later said Richard, who maintained his innocence throughout, would face no charges due to lack of evidence. Reuters