American Airlines Has Cameras In Their Screens Too Slashdotby BeauHD on privacy at January 1, 1970, 1:00 am (cached at February 21, 2019, 11:35 pm)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from BuzzFeed News: A viral photo showing a camera in a Singapore Airlines in-flight TV display recently caused an uproar online. The image was retweeted hundreds of times, with many people expressing concern about the privacy implications. As it turns out, some seat-back screens in American Airlines' premium economy class have them, too. Sri Ray was aboard an American Airlines Boeing 777-200 flight to Tokyo in September 2018 when he noticed something strange: a camera embedded in the seat back of his entertainment system. The cameras are also visible in this June 2017 review of the airline's premium economy offering by the Points Guy, as well as this YouTube video by Business Traveller magazine. American Airlines spokesperson Ross Feinstein confirmed to BuzzFeed News that cameras are present on some of the airlines' in-flight entertainment systems, but said "they have never been activated, and American is not considering using them." Feinstein added, "Cameras are a standard feature on many in-flight entertainment systems used by multiple airlines. Manufacturers of those systems have included cameras for possible future uses, such as hand gestures to control in-flight entertainment." After Twitter user Vitaly Kamluk saw a similar lens on Singapore Airlines and tweeted photos of the system last week, the airline responded from its official Twitter account, saying the cameras were "disabled." Still, the airlines could quell passengers' concerns by covering the lenses with a plastic cover, if indeed there is no use for the camera.

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Immigration agents 'used excessive force' during Tennessee raid AL JAZEERA ENGLISH (AJE)(cached at February 21, 2019, 11:30 pm)

Workers arrested during 2018 raid on meatpacking plant sue US authorities over alleged constitutional rights violations.
Queensland, Australia Drivers Set To Get Emoji Number Plates Slashdotby msmash on australia at January 1, 1970, 1:00 am (cached at February 21, 2019, 11:05 pm)

The unusual move is set to be rolled out by Personalised Plates Queensland (PPQ) from next month, allowing drivers to adorn their number plates with a touch of emotion. From a report: Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) spokeswoman Rebecca Michael said it was no different from allowing drivers to express themselves with other available themes like their favorite footy team. "For quite some time we've seen that you can support your favourite team or your favourite town with a symbol on your number plate," Dr Michael told 7News Brisbane. "And using an emoji is no different." But before your mind goes straight to the gutter, no, you won't be able to completely replace the letters and numbers on your number plate with an eggplant or smiling poo emoji. The smartphone symbols won't be included in rego numbers and are simply decorative.

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Johnson & Johnson subpoenaed about baby powder cancer claims AL JAZEERA ENGLISH (AJE)(cached at February 21, 2019, 11:00 pm)

J&J says it received subpoenas over litigation involving alleged asbestos contamination of its Baby Powder.
Shoe blowout, injury raises fears for NBA's likely #1 pick AL JAZEERA ENGLISH (AJE)(cached at February 21, 2019, 11:00 pm)

Zion Williamson's Nike shoe exploded during Duke's showdown with arch rivals the University of North Carolina.
As murdered Slovak remembered, calls to legally protect reporters AL JAZEERA ENGLISH (AJE)(cached at February 21, 2019, 11:00 pm)

One year on, questions persist over killing of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova.
Nike Bricks Its Shoes With a Faulty Firmware Update Slashdotby msmash on internet at January 1, 1970, 1:00 am (cached at February 21, 2019, 10:35 pm)

AmiMoJo writes: Nike users are experiencing some technical difficulties in the wild world of connected footwear. Nike's $350 "Adapt BB" sneakers are the latest in the company's line of self-lacing shoes, and they come with the "Nike Adapt" app for Android and iOS. The app pairs with the shoes and lets you adjust the tightness of the laces, customize the lights (yeah, there are lights), and see, uh, how much battery life your shoes have left. The only problem: Nike's Android app doesn't work. Android users report that their new kicks aren't paring with the app properly, and some customers report failed firmware updates for the shoes, which render them unable to pair with the app at all. "My left shoe won't even reboot." writes one owner.

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New Cuban Missile Crisis? Bring it on says Russia's Putin AL JAZEERA ENGLISH (AJE)(cached at February 21, 2019, 10:30 pm)

Russian leader continues to issue warnings saying he doesn't want a missile crisis but ready to act if provoked by US.
Is democracy the answer to Nigeria's woes? AL JAZEERA ENGLISH (AJE)(cached at February 21, 2019, 10:30 pm)

Nigeria is about to choose a new leader as voters finally go to the polls on Saturday.
Pakistan's Imran Khan approves military response if India attacks AL JAZEERA ENGLISH (AJE)(cached at February 21, 2019, 10:30 pm)

Islamabad authorises 'decisive and comprehensive' reply to any Indian aggression as tensions over Kashmir attack soar.
India reiterates plan to stop sharing of water with Pakistan AL JAZEERA ENGLISH (AJE)(cached at February 21, 2019, 10:30 pm)

New Delhi's move to halt water flows to Pakistan is to pressure its neighbour after a militant attack in Kashmir.
Right To Repair Legislation Is Officially Being Considered In Canada Slashdotby msmash on canada at January 1, 1970, 1:00 am (cached at February 21, 2019, 9:35 pm)

Canada is the newest frontier in the fight for the "right to repair" after an Ontario politician introduced a bill on Thursday that would ensure individuals and independent professionals can repair brand-name computers and phones cheaply and easily. From a report: Manufacturers make it incredibly difficult to repair our broken devices ourselves. Instead of taking a smashed phone to a local repair professional for an affordable fix, a complex matrix of trade secrets and government intervention often means consumers have to make a pricey trip to the Genius Bar or buy a new device entirely. This is bad for your wallet, but also bad for the planet. Ontario Liberal Party MPP Michael Coteau ran into this issue head-first after his daughter dropped his Samsung smartphone. An official repair job from the manufacturer was more expensive than just getting a new phone from his carrier, he told me over the phone. "It's a shame," Coteau said, "because the Samsung S8 was very good for me. Everything was perfect. I would've kept using it. But now I've replaced it." On Thursday, Coteau introduced a private member's bill in provincial parliament that, if passed, would be the first "right to repair" law for electronic devices in North America. More than a dozen US states are currently considering similar bills, but nothing is on the books yet in the US or in Canada.

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Why is this horse dressed like a zebra? BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition(cached at February 21, 2019, 9:30 pm)

Researchers from the University of Bristol have found a novel way of keeping flies away from horses.
Basant ban: Pakistan snaps a thread from its own culture AL JAZEERA ENGLISH (AJE)(cached at February 21, 2019, 9:30 pm)

Provincial government of Punjab withdraws its decision to lift a 13-year-ban on kite flying, affecting livelihoods.
Maduro shuts Venezuela's border with Brazil amid aid standoff AL JAZEERA ENGLISH (AJE)(cached at February 21, 2019, 9:30 pm)

Maduro calls opposition leader Guaido's aid caravan a 'provocation', says he's may close border with Colombia as well.