Author: Andrii Degeler

The BBC has announced that it's now piloting "virtual voiceover" technology, which will be used to automatically translate TV reports into Japanese. In early 2016, the broadcaster's Russian service will start using it as well.

Creating a way for news editors to produce multi-language reports almost single-handedly, the BBC's technology will take the script for a news package and translate it into the specified language. According to Broadcast, the tool uses Google Translate for actual translation.

Later on, a bilingual journalist will need to polish the text, and then the voiceover will be recorded automatically using one of the synthesised voices.

Following a number of self-balancing scooters around the world bursting into flames or exploding, Amazon UK has urged its customers to bring unsafe "hoverboards" to their local recycling point for disposal. The company is also issuing full refunds on these purchases even if they were made months ago.

As reported by The Telegraph, Amazon UK has been e-mailing customers who purchased at least one model of self-balancing scooter, the "RioRand Two Wheels Self Balancing Electric Scooter With Key Switch - Red."

In a message seen by Ars Technica UK, Amazon states that "we've received information that your [self-balancing scooter] purchased through the Amazon.co.uk website […] is unsafe for use as this product is supplied with a non-compliant UK plug."

Security researcher Chris Vickery has found and reported a massive security issue on the Web servers of MacKeeper, a piece of software often regarded as scareware. According to Krebs on Security, the databases of Kromtech, the company behind MacKeeper, were open to external connections and required no authentication whatsoever. The names, passwords, and other information of around 13 million users may have been exposed.

Kromtech has admitted the breach and put a statement on its website saying that "analysis of our data storage system shows only one individual gained access performed by the security researcher himself." It also states that customers' credit card details have never been at risk as they're processed by a third-party merchant.

"The only customer information we retain are name, products ordered, license information, public ip address and their user credentials such as product specific usernames, password hashes for the customer's web admin account where they can manage subscriptions, support, and product licenses," Kromtech explained.

Public Wi-Fi networks and Tor won't be blocked or forbidden in France in the near future, even during a state of emergency, despite the country's Ministry of Interior reportedly considering it.

Days after the reports on the proposal surfaced in the French newspaper Le Monde, the country's prime minister Manuel Valls said he had never heard of such requests by police. "A ban on Wi-Fi is not a course of action envisaged," he added according to The Connexxion.

Valls also said he wasn't in favour of banning Tor, and denied any knowledge of the police authorities requesting a law to "require [service] providers to give security forces access codes."

Designer Carbon Materials, an Oxford-based scientific startup, has recently sold its first 200 micrograms of nitrogen atom-based endohedral fullerenes for £22,000—or about £110 million per gram.

This valuation likely makes the material the second most valuable on Earth, preceded only by antimatter, which is estimated by NASA to cost some £41 trillion per gram.

The material, which essentially is a cage of carbon atoms with a nitrogen atom inside, could be used for very small and very accurate atomic clocks, which are currently of the size of a room.

Chubb, the company famous for its eponymous locks and other safety equipment, is to offer its clients in the UK the first ever "troll insurance." Chubb personal insurance policy holders will be able to claim up to £50,000 towards expenses that include professional counselling, relocation due to online abuse, or time spent off work.

Cyberbullying is defined by the insurer as "three or more acts by the same person or group to harass, threaten or intimidate a customer," the Financial Times reports.

The inclusion of cyberbullying into Chubb's policies is a result of a survey of the target audience and brokers.