Making a homemade metal semi-automatic rifle just got crazy easy

Defense Distributed releases "Ghost Gunner," a $1,200 desktop CNC mill.

via Ars Technica http://arstechnica.com

New reversible USB connectors will carry audio and video, too

We've told you all about the upcoming USB cable's high-powered abilities, but now audio and video have joined the mix. Working alongside the USB 3.0 Promoter Group, the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) has leveraged a DisplayPort "Alt...

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Almost all the sci-fi spaceships you know are on this massive chart

If you regularly follow geek culture, you've probably seen early versions of Dirk Loechel's spaceship comparison chart, which shows the relative sizes of vehicles from science fiction games, movies and TV shows. Well, it's finished -- and it's even...

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Syrian Kurds feel abandoned as Kobani battle rages

Kneeling over his brother's fresh grave, Ali Mehmud gathered clumps of dirt in his hands, raised them to his lips to kiss them, then softly placed them back on the small mound.

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U.S.-led coalition steps up strikes in Syria

The Pentagon says 21 airstrikes against Islamic State targets near the Syrian city of Kobani overnight Monday marked the largest number there in a 24-hour period since the air campaign in Syria began last month.

via airforcetimes.com http://ift.tt/12PGOZz

Despite demands, Syria no-fly zone a no-go for U.S.

The Obama administration's promise to limit U.S. military engagement against Islamic State militants makes it difficult to accept Turkey's terms for joining the fight in neighboring Syria.

via airforcetimes.com http://ift.tt/12PGOZz

Tech giants team up to build friendlier security tools

If there's one overarching, fundamental truth about the internet, it's that you're never as safe as you think you are. Dropbox, Google and the Open Technology Fund get that all too well -- that's why they (along with a slew of security researchers)...

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How a massive black hole looks in an ultra-dense dwarf galaxy

The M60-UCD1 is a dwarf galaxy that's so dense, you'd see 1 million stars at night if you lived in it instead of the 4,000 we typically see on Earth. Now, thanks to data from Hubble, NASA found that the galaxy, which is only 1/500th the diameter of...

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New charges brought in 2012 Benghazi attacks

The Justice Department has brought new charges against a Libyan militant accused in the 2012 Benghazi attacks, including counts that carry the death penalty.

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Air Force to step up recruiting, shorten training for cyber airmen

The Air Force may shorten the training time for cyber airmen to move them into their jobs faster - and airmen with existing cyber certifications would get a head start.

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Turkey: No new deal with U.S. on using air base

Turkey's foreign minister insisted Monday there was no new agreement with the United States on using Turkish bases for operations against the Islamic State militants.

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U.S. says Turkey OKs use of bases against militants

Turkey will let U.S. and coalition forces use its bases, including a key installation within 100 miles of the Syrian border for operations against Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq, American defense officials said Sunday.

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Over 900 picked for 10 special duty assignments

More than 900 airmen were selected for 10 hard-to-fill special duty assignments in the second round of commander nominations, the Air Force announced this month.

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New special duty pay rates

The new special duty pay rates went into effect Oct.

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Hagel: U.S. wants use of Incirlik Air Base, help training

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday that the key military assistance the United States would like to get from Turkey would be access to the Turkish air base at Incirlik and an agreement to help train and equip the moderate Syrian forces.

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Airstrikes push jihadists back in Syrian town

New U.S.-led airstrikes near the Syrian border town of Kobani have helped Kurdish fighters push back the Islamic State group a day after it appeared on the verge of seizing the town, the fate of which has emerged as a key test of whether coalition air power can roll back the extremist group.

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Turkey: Syrian town poised to fall to militants

State fighters were poised to capture a strategic Syrian town on the Turkish border, Turkey's president warned Tuesday, even as Kurdish forces battled to expel the extremists from their footholds on the outskirts.

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Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter 3.0 Now Available

Yesterday we released the Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter 3.0.  You can download it here: http://ift.tt/1ituiRK

It has a staggering amount of features.  Including the ability to convert physical computers to virtual machines and to convert VMware virtual machines to Hyper-V virtual machines online and offline.

Cheers,
Ben

via Ben Armstrong http://ift.tt/123ZnsQ

[Update] Google Hangouts gets a huge update, including Google Voice integration

There's also a brand new Android app and VoIP calling.

via Ars Technica http://arstechnica.com

Why Dyson's robot vacuum took 16 years, and why it's headed to Japan first

Dyson almost launched a robot vacuum. Back in 2001, after three years in development. Its first effort, shown to the British public in London looked nothing (and we mean nothing) like the eventual Eye 360 unveiled today. Sixteen years is a long time...

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