
Understanding elephant trunks could be a breakthrough for robotics
CNN
Elephants' trunks are capable of grasping a single blade of grass but can also carry nearly 600 pounds. They are inspiring the next generation of bio-inspired robots.
Researchers backed by the European Union's Horizon 2020 innovation program are doing a deep-dive study on elephant trunks, with the aim of improving the future of robotics, materials science and biology. Elephants' trunks are both delicate and sturdy -- they are capable of grasping a single blade of grass but can also carry nearly 600 pounds. And scientists argue that these versatile trunks -- called proboscis -- are incredible inspiration for the next generation of bio-inspired robots.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he plans to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency after this year’s hurricane season, offering the clearest timeline yet for his administration’s long-term plans to dismantle the disaster relief agency and shift responsibility for response and recovery onto states.

Rep. LaMonica McIver indicted on federal charges after incident at New Jersey ICE detention facility
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