First Solar, Qcells panels score green label preferred by US government

(Reuters) – Two of the world’s biggest solar panel makers, First Solar and Hanwha Qcells, became the first to register products under an environmental ratings system preferred for U.S. government purchasing, an industry group said. Combined, the companies have seven products that meet the EPEAT standard created by the Global Electronics Council, according to Qcells,…

Read More

OpenAI, Google DeepMind’s current and former employees warn about AI risks

(Reuters) – A group of current and former employees at artificial intelligence (AI) companies, including Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Alphabet’s Google DeepMind on Tuesday raised concerns about risks posed by the emerging technology. An open letter by a group of 11 current and former employees of OpenAI and one current and another former employee with Google…

Read More

Boeing’s Starliner capsule set for launch of first crewed space flight

By Joey Roulette and Steve Gorman CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) – Boeing’s new Starliner astronaut capsule is poised for launch on Saturday in a much-delayed first crewed test flight, a milestone in the beleaguered aerospace giant’s aim to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the astronaut launch business. The CST-100 Starliner with two astronauts aboard…

Read More

Chinese vice foreign minister urged US to stop ‘smearing’ China, Beijing says

BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu urged the United States to refrain from “smearing” China and to stop imposing “abusive” sanctions on Chinese companies at talks this week in Washington, China’s foreign ministry said on Friday. Ma met U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and deputy national security adviser Jon Finer…

Read More

China stages mock missile strikes on Taiwan, jets with live missiles used in drills

By Bernard Orr and Yimou Lee BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) – China staged mock missile strikes and dispatched fighter jets carrying live missiles and bombers on Friday, state television CCTV said, as part of two-day exercises Beijing has said were launched to punish Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te. The bombers set up several attack formations in waters…

Read More