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5 things you absolutely must know today

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Amazon testing Prime Air drones in Canada

Amazon has allegedly been testing its Prime Air delivery drones at a secret airfield in Canada. The company warned the U.S. that it would take the service elsewhere as a way to circumvent the country’s dithering approach to the new technology. The site is presumably in British Columbia, as Amazon has its team of roboticists, engineers, aeronautics experts, and a NASA astronaut working in the province. The company is putting its lightweight drones through a battery of tests, flying them between 200 and 500 feet above the ground for 10-mile stretches at 50mph, carrying 5-pound packages. This is the goal. No word on when this will be available. [Source: Guardian]

Nigeria’s election results to arrive Tuesday

Nigeria held an election to elect a new president on Saturday, the results of which will only be disclosed on Tuesday. The UN praised the poll for happening in relative peace. This after the election was delayed a few weeks ago after Islamic militant group Boko Haram attacked polling stations and threatened further violence. While there were some technical difficulties with some of the electronic reading cards – forcing the delay in results – the election pitting incumbent Goodluck Jonathan against former military leader Muhammadu Buhari had been “largely peaceful and orderly,” said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. It’s believed to be a tight race. [Source: BBC]

Conman gets himself released from prison using fake email address

Neil Moore, an inmate at Wandsworth Prison in London, got his hands on a cell phone that he used to create a fake, albeit convincing, email account, from which he sent an email, as someone else, ordering his own release. And it all worked. He sent the prison instructions for his release, and so it happened that he was released. Officials eventually figured out what Moore, who was in prison on fraud charges, had done. Moore turned himself in three days after his release. [Source: Death and Taxes via BBC]

Shepherd corrals sheep using drone

This is another brief about drones. Apologies. But this one involves sheep and shepherds. Paul Brennan, a shepherd from Ireland, uses a drone to corral his sheep much the same way sheepdog would. Watch the video:

New host of “The Daily Show” announced

Trevor Noah, a 31-year-old comedian from South Africa, has been ordained to replace Jon Stewart as host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. The announced was made today. Stewart announced his retirement in February, in a heartfelt announcement made at the end of a taping. He will step down later this year, ending a 16-year run. Noah, who has appeared on Stewart’s show a few times, is currently touring in the Middle East and was surprised by the news, telling the New York Times, “You don’t believe it for the first few hours. You need a stiff drink, and then unfortunately you’re in a place where you can’t really get alcohol.” [Source: Guardian]

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