Driverless cars could be on UK roads by 2015

Driverless cars will be allowed on public roads in the UK from January 2015, the government has announced.

They've asked cities to compete to host special trials to test the technology.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "Today's announcement will see driverless cars take to our streets in less than six months."

He said it would put the UK "at the forefront of this transformational technology and opening up new opportunities".

Driverless cars could become a familiar sight from January 2015

The cars work by using a system of sensors and cameras and engineers have been experimenting with them for some time.

From CBBC newsround

Super cute Rare red panda cubs born in Scotland

The Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland has welcomed TWO new arrivals - rare twin red panda cubs!

The super cute cubs join big brother Kush, who was the first red panda to be born in Scotland for 13 years.

They don't have names yet and keepers are trying not to disturb the family, so they don't know if they are male or female.

There are thought to be less than 10,000 red pandas left in the wild. They're on the IUCN red list for protected species.

Numbers are low because their natural habitat is being destroyed and they're a target for poachers.

Pandas?

Despite what their name suggests, red pandas are not related to giant pandas (which are part of the bear family), but are distantly related to the raccoon family.

From CBBC newsround

Japanese rice field transformed into giant artwork

A rice field in northern Japan has got tourists flocking to it after being transformed into a giant artwork.

The scene is about the legend of Mount Fuji and has been created by artists using coloured rice plants.

The display has been made to commemorate the Mount Fuji's registration as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

From CBBC Newsround

Tanbo Art is made by using various types and colors of rice to create giant pictures in the rice fields. It started back in 1993 as a way to revitalize the rice village of Inakadate, in the area of Aomori. For the first nine years, the farmers created a simple picture of Mount Iwaki but the art has now evolved into more complex designs featuring popular characters that appeal to both kids and adults.

Every April, the villagers meet and decide what to plant for the year. They first sketch out the designs on computers and then sow seeds of the varying rice plants. This year, the huge images have crossed the island’s limits and feature a host of awesome designs, including the famous “Ushiwaka and his subordinate Benkei” and Mazinger Z.

From: http://inhabitat.com/giant-rice-paddy-art-flourish-in-japan/tanbo-art-giant-illustrations-rice-fields-japan-7/

Marvel’s new Captain America will be African-American

Marvel has announced that a new Captain America will be African-American.

The cover of the New Captain America comic book

In an online article the character Sam Wilson, also known as The Falcon, was named as the replacement for Steve Rogers.

The move follows an unexpected event, which left Rogers unable to carry on.

The post reads, "Robbed of his superior strength and vitality, Steve Rogers must surrender his blues for a sturdy cane."

Chris Evans will play Captain America in Avengers: Age of Ultron

The change of character is only set to affect the Captain America comic book series.

Chris Evans, who has played him in The Avengers film, will also play the role in Avengers: Age of Ultron which is set for release in 2015.

Captain America first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1941.

There's a new female Thor, the God of Thunder

The news about Captain America comes a day after Marvel announced that Thor, the God of Thunder, would now be portrayed as a woman in that comic book series.

Marvel comic editor Tom Brevoort says "We're not anywhere near finished."

"Change is one of the watchwords of the Marvel Universe, so there are even more startling surprises to come."

From CBBC newsround