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Four Israeli soldiers released by Hamas from Gaza as part of ceasefire deal

Around The Globe - Sat, 01/25/2025 - 10:10
Israel is expected to release dozens of Palestinians held in Israeli jails as part of the ceasefire deal.

Protests in Slovakia after Prime Minister Fico tilts towards Russia

Around The Globe - Sat, 01/25/2025 - 09:32
Massive turnout in nationwide rallies, as Fico brandishes intel report alleging 'coup d’etat' in league with foreigners.

Spain plans 100% house tax on foreigners: Will it fix the housing crisis?

Around The Globe - Sat, 01/25/2025 - 09:26
Socialist PM Sanchez announces several measures, including 100 percent tax on foreigners, to tackle the housing crisis.

US hits record arms sales in 2024 driven by Ukraine demand

Around The Globe - Sat, 01/25/2025 - 08:58
US arms export growth was driven by countries seeking to replenish weapons stocks that were donated to Ukraine.

Philippines stops research survey in disputed sea amid China’s ‘harassment’

Around The Globe - Sat, 01/25/2025 - 08:17
Several Chinese coastguard vessels accused of making 'aggressive manoeuvres' towards Philippine fisheries boats.

Between bombs and books: The lasting impact of war on Lebanese students

Around The Globe - Sat, 01/25/2025 - 07:55
A young man from Beirut's Dahiyeh suburbs, another from a south Lebanon village - both students marked by war forever.

Pete Hegseth confirmed as US defence chief in tiebreaker Senate vote

Around The Globe - Sat, 01/25/2025 - 07:45
Hegseth's nomination had been rocked by allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct.

App provides immediate fire information to Los Angeles residents

Technology - Sat, 01/25/2025 - 05:34
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA — From his home in northern California, Nick Russell, a former farm manager, is monitoring the Los Angeles-area fires. He knows that about 600 kilometers south, people in Los Angeles are relying on his team’s live neighborhood-by-neighborhood updates on fire outbreaks, smoke direction, surface wind predictions and evacuation routes. Russell is vice president of operations at Watch Duty, a free app that tracks fires and other natural disasters. It relies on a variety of data sources such as cameras and sensors throughout the state, government agencies, first responders, a core of volunteers, and its own team of reporters. An emergency at his house, for example, would be "much different" from one at his neighbor's house .4 kilometers away, Russell said. "That is true for communities everywhere, and that’s where technology really comes in." Watch Duty's delivery of detailed localized information is one reason for its success with its 7 million users, many of whom downloaded the app in recent weeks. It acts as a virtual emergency operations center, culling and verifying data points. Watch Duty’s success points to the promise that technologies such as artificial intelligence and sensors will give residents and first responders the real-time information they need to survive and fight natural disasters. Google and other firms have invested in technology to track fires. Several startup firms are also looking for ways to use AI, sensors and other technologies in natural disasters. Utility firms work with Gridware, a company that places AI-enhanced sensors on power lines to detect a tree branch touching the line or any other vibrations that could indicate a problem. Among Watch Duty’s technology partners is ALERTCalifornia, run by the University of San Diego, which has a network of more than 1,000 AI-enhanced cameras throughout the state looking for smoke. The cameras often detect fires before people call emergency lines, Russell said. Together with ALERTCalifornia’s information, Russell said, "we have become the eyes and ears" of fires. Another Watch Duty partner is N-5 Sensors, a Maryland-based firm. Its sensors, which are placed in the ground, detect smoke, heat and other signs of fire. "They're like a nose, if you will, so they detect smoke anomalies and different chemical patterns in the air," Russell said. Watch Duty is available in 22 states, mostly in the western U.S., and plans to expand to all states. While fire has been its focus, Watch Duty also plans to track other natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis, Russell said. "Fire is not in the name," he said. "We want to be that one-stop shop where people can go in those times of duress, to have a source that makes it clear and concise what’s happening." 

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events – day 1,066

Around The Globe - Sat, 01/25/2025 - 04:59
Here are the key developments on the 1,066th day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

US suspends new funds for aid programmes, excepting Israel and Egypt

Around The Globe - Sat, 01/25/2025 - 01:21
Trump administration freezes new funding for anti-HIV programme and other health services, excepts key food programmes.

‘Fear is the point’: Immigrant rights groups brace for fight against Trump

Around The Globe - Fri, 01/24/2025 - 23:37
Advocates say Trump entered office for his second term more prepared to implement hardline immigration policies.

US President Trump threatens to abolish FEMA during tour of North Carolina

Around The Globe - Fri, 01/24/2025 - 23:13
After visiting hurricane-ravaged North Carolina, the Republican leader travelled to California to inspect fire response.

Trump decree paves way for ‘Muslim ban’, targeting pro-Palestine students

Around The Globe - Fri, 01/24/2025 - 23:04
Newly signed executive order has 'broader implications' than travel ban Trump imposed in his first term, experts say.

Target becomes latest US firm to end DEI initiatives

Around The Globe - Fri, 01/24/2025 - 22:24
The move comes after US President Trump ended DEI hiring in gov't jobs and encouraged the private sector to do the same.

Israeli drone attack kills two in expanding occupied West Bank operation

Around The Globe - Fri, 01/24/2025 - 21:24
Israeli attack on vehicle close to Qabatiya comes during ongoing assault on nearby Jenin, which has displaced thousands.

Who are the female Israeli soldiers being released by Hamas?

Around The Globe - Fri, 01/24/2025 - 19:56
A second round of prisoners are to be exchanged between Hamas and Israel on Saturday as part of a ceasefire.

Palestinian family returns to destroyed home in Gaza

Around The Globe - Fri, 01/24/2025 - 19:41
The Israel-Hamas ceasefire was meant to mark an end to the misery of displacement for Palestinians...

US judge bans some January 6 rioters from capital without court permission

Around The Globe - Fri, 01/24/2025 - 19:02
Order comes days after President Trump pardoned more than 1,500 people sentenced in relation to the January 6 attack.

Military governor of DRC’s North Kivu province killed in M23 rebel assault

Around The Globe - Fri, 01/24/2025 - 18:51
Local authorities say Major General Peter Cirimwami dies after being wounded on the front lines.

Fire at major Russian oil refinery after Ukrainian drone attack

Around The Globe - Fri, 01/24/2025 - 18:48
People were filmed fleeing a fire at a Russian oil refinery in Ryazan after a Ukrainian drone attack.

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