• Reuters

    Chinese robot 'guide dog' aims to improve independence for visually impaired

    It's less furry than a traditional companion, but a six-legged Chinese robot "guide dog" could one day help vision impaired people live more independently, according to its research development team in Shanghai. The robot dog, which is currently being field-tested, is able to navigate its physical environment via cameras and sensors, including recognising traffic light signals, which traditional guide dogs are unable to do. Roughly the size of an English Bulldog but a bit wider, it can communicate by listening and speaking with a visually impaired operator with artificial intelligence technology incorporated into its voice recognition, route planning capabilities and traffic light identification.

  • Associated Press

    Albania's world-renowned novelist Ismail Kadare dies at 88

    Renowned Albanian novelist Ismail Kadare has died after being rushed to a hospital in Tirana, his publishing editor said on Monday. Kadare has long been mentioned as a possible contender for the Nobel Literature Prize. Onufri Publishing House editor Bujar Hudhri said the noted author died Monday morning.

  • Reuters

    Anglo American shares fall after Australian mine suspension

    Anglo American said on Sunday it was battling an underground fire at the mine in Australia's Queensland state after a blaze ignited there on Saturday. "We believe this incident could have negative implications for the timing and execution of Anglo's corporate restructuring plan and therefore future potential corporate outcomes for Anglo," JP Morgan analysts wrote in a note. Other analysts said the suspension could delay the sale of Anglo's coal assets and hit its valuation as the Australian metallurgical coal assets were the ones the market was expecting management to be able to divest most quickly.