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Showing posts from June, 2023

Scientists use cosmic rays to create underground GPS

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Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery, revealing the potential for an underground navigation system using cosmic rays.  The research, published in the journal iScience, highlights that showers of particles, formed when cosmic rays collide with Earth's atmosphere, could enable effective underground positioning. The subatomic particles, known as muons, which originate from distant space objects like supernovas or particle collisions with the sun, can penetrate the ground and are deemed harmless.  By harnessing these muons, scientists have developed a novel positioning system called the muometric positioning system (muPS), which works underground, indoors, and even underwater. Muon-based navigation holds great potential for various applications where GPS is ineffective, such as mining and deep-sea exploration.  The concept draws inspiration from the use of similar particles in ancient Egyptian pyramids for navigation purposes. The muPS system employs four muon-dete...

72 million year old duck-Billed Dinosaur found in Chile

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Chile: Researchers have uncovered new fossil remains of a dinosaur belonging to the duck-billed species in Chile.  The dinosaur, named Gonokokken nanoi, roamed the South American region approximately 72 million years ago. The plant-eating dinosaur weighed nearly a ton and is estimated to have reached a length of 4 meters (13 feet).  The findings, published in the journal Science Advances, are the result of a decades-long investigation into the remains of this herbivorous creature. The name "Gonkoken" is a combination of two words from the language of the indigenous Aonikenk people, who inhabited Patagonia until the late 19th century.  "Gon" translates to "similar" or "similar to," while "koken" means "wild duck" or "swan."  The term "nanoi" honors Mario 'nano' Ulloa, a former rancher who provided crucial support to the research team during their initial discoveries. The excavation, led by the Chilea...

Indonesia launches government-owned satellite on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket

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Jakarta: Indonesia successfully launched its first government-owned internet satellite, SATRIA-1, with the assistance of Elon Musk's SpaceX.  The satellite aims to provide internet access to remote parts of the country, connecting thousands of schools, hospitals, and government buildings spread across Indonesia's 17,000 islands. With more than one-third of Indonesia's population lacking internet access, the European-built SATRIA-1 holds great promise for bridging the digital divide.  The satellite, manufactured by French defense electronics company Thales, was launched from a Florida launch station aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Costing $540 million, SATRIA-1 is expected to significantly improve connectivity in Indonesia. Indonesian President Joko Widodo highlighted the satellite's importance in an Instagram post, describing it as the country's "first government-owned multi-function satellite with the biggest capacity in Asia."  View this post on...

Deadly shooting mars Juneteenth celebration near Chicago

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  Chicago: A Juneteenth celebration in Willowbrook, a suburb of Chicago, took a tragic turn early Sunday morning as multiple gunshots rang out, resulting in 23 individuals being shot and one fatality, according to authorities.  The incident occurred in a parking lot where a peaceful gathering was being held to commemorate Juneteenth, a significant holiday marking the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Television news footage captured the aftermath of the shooting, revealing a scene littered with debris and cordoned off by police tape.  Willowbrook, located approximately 20 miles southwest of Chicago, was shaken by the sudden outbreak of violence. The DuPage County Sheriff's Office described the event as peaceful before the situation rapidly escalated.  Multiple individuals within the crowd began firing shots, causing chaos and panic among the attendees. The sheriff's office reported that 22 people sustained gunshot injuries, while others suffered i...

Israeli raid leaves 3 Palestinians dead and 28 injured

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Jenin: Three Palestinians have been killed and 28 others injured during an Israeli raid in the West Bank city of Jenin.  The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the casualties, while the international community expresses deep concerns over the escalating conflict. According to the Israeli military, the raid was conducted to apprehend Palestinians suspected of carrying out attacks.  During the operation, an exchange of fire occurred between Israeli troops and armed individuals, resulting in casualties among the latter. The raid commenced at approximately 4:00 am local time and involved a significant deployment of Israeli forces.  Throughout the morning, reports of heavy gunfire circulated, with journalists on the ground confirming ongoing fighting as of 8:40 am. Social media videos captured the intensity of the situation, showing an explosion engulfing an armored vehicle amid the sound of gunfire.  Additionally, an Israeli army helicopter was seen launching missiles...

Bill Gates arrives in China, following Musk and Cook's visits

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Beijing: Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and philanthropist, landed in China on Thursday for a visit aimed at meeting with global health and development partners.  Following the recent visits of CEOs Elon Musk and Tim Cook, Gates aims to explore collaboration opportunities and unlock progress in addressing global challenges. Through his nonprofit organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates has been working on global health and development issues for over 15 years.  He believes that innovative solutions are crucial in tackling climate change, health inequity, and food insecurity.  In a tweet, Gates expressed his excitement to visit Beijing and contribute to making a positive impact on a global scale. I’ve just landed in Beijing for the first time since 2019, where I’m excited to visit with partners who have been working on global health and development challenges with @gatesfoundation for more than 15 years. — Bill Gates (@BillGates) June 14, 202...

UK parliamentary committee holds Boris Johnson responsible for COVID rule violations

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London: Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been found responsible for deliberately misleading fellow legislators regarding parties held during the pandemic lockdown, as stated in a report published by a UK parliamentary committee on Thursday. Although Johnson resigned before the report's release, the committee stated that it would have suspended him for 90 days for repeated parliamentary contempt. The Privileges Committee, in its report, emphasized the gravity of the contempt committed by the Prime Minister, as there is no previous instance of a Prime Minister being found to have deliberately misled the House. Johnson, upon submitting his resignation, claimed that he was compelled to leave before the report's publication.  The report, led by Labour MP Harriet Harman, found that the former PM had "committed a serious contempt" by violating COVID-19 guidelines and organizing illegal gatherings at Downing Street. However, Johnson maintained that the rules had be...

Indian reporter receives 'Oscar' from tweeps for Biparjoy coverage

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Mumbai: As cyclone Biparjoy approaches, news channels in India and Pakistan are working tirelessly to provide updates on the situation.  However, amidst the seriousness of the natural calamity, Twitter users have found amusement in an unexpected source the coverage provided by an Indian reporter. In a segment about the cyclone, the reporter was seen holding an umbrella and pretending to be at the location where the cyclone had hit.  The visuals and animations used during the segment were misleading, as they were not of Cyclone Biparjoy but actually, Hurricane Ian, which struck the US state of Florida last year. The video quickly went viral, catching the attention of Twitterati who wasted no time in mocking the "mastermind" behind the idea.  They humorously inquired about the reporter's well-being, considering she reported from an area supposedly affected by the cyclone. This incident has sparked amusement and garnered attention on social media platforms, where users ofte...

6.2 magnitude earthquake strikes Philippines

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Philippines: A 6.2 magnitude earthquake rattled the Philippines today, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).  The tremor originated at a depth of 112 kilometers (77 miles) in the waters off Calatagan town, approximately three hours from the capital, Manila.  While there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties, authorities have mobilized to assess the impact of the quake. Witnesses described the tremors as strong, prompting many people to evacuate buildings in Calatagan. Calatagan police chief Emil Mendoza stated, "It was a bit strong. We had to run outside."  The earthquake lasted for around 30 seconds to a minute, causing temporary disruptions at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the capital's metro system as safety inspections were conducted. Although warnings of aftershocks were issued by the state seismological agency, the depth of the tremors ruled out the possibility of tsunami waves. 

British climber detained in Seoul after scaling 72 floors of skyscraper

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Seoul: A British man was apprehended by South Korean police in Seoul on Monday after he climbed 72 floors of the country's tallest building using only his hands. The individual, identified as free climber George King-Thompson, previously served a three-month prison sentence for scaling London's Shard in 2019. Upon spotting the climber ascending Lotte World Tower on Monday morning, over 90 police, fire, and emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene, as confirmed by Seoul's fire department. According to local reports, the climber reached the 72nd floor of the building without any equipment before being safely removed by a gondola lift.  Footage from inside a room within the tower captured his daring ascent. The man has been arrested on charges of trespassing and obstruction of business, with intentions of parachuting from the top of the tower, as per The Korea Herald. Lotte Property & Development, the tower's operator, stated that the climber sustained minor in...

11-year-old British girl fatally shot in family garden

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France: An 11-year-old British girl has tragically lost her life after being shot while playing in the garden of her family home in Saint Herbot, a village in Brittany, western France.  The devastating incident occurred on Saturday evening, following a long-standing dispute between neighbors over land ownership. According to the local prosecutor and a town hall official, the girl's family was enjoying a warm evening when a 71-year-old Dutch neighbor opened fire multiple times at them.  The parents sustained injuries, with the father critically wounded, while their eight-year-old daughter escaped physical harm but was left in a state of shock. Preliminary investigations indicate that the Dutch pensioner suddenly appeared armed with a firearm, fired shots at the victims, and subsequently retreated to his residence with his wife.  The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but the families had been involved in a protracted conflict concerning a plot of land adjacent to th...

Flooding triggers evacuations as Nova Kakhovka Dam destruction leaves 7 missing in Ukraine

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  The destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine has resulted in severe flooding, leaving at least seven people missing, according to the Moscow-installed mayor of Nova Kakhovka city, as reported by Russia's TASS news agency on Wednesday. In response to the attack on the major Russian-held dam, Ukraine has initiated the evacuation of thousands of people, fearing a potential humanitarian crisis.  The incident has sparked a blame game between Moscow and Kyiv, with Washington warning of the likelihood of "many deaths." The Kakhovka dam, situated on the frontline and providing cooling water for Europe's largest nuclear plant, was destroyed, allegedly by Russia, in an attempt to hinder Ukraine's upcoming offensive. However, Ukrainian leaders have assured that their military plans will not be affected. UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting following requests from both Russia and Ukraine.  UN's top humanitarian official, Martin Griffiths, expressed c...

Air India flight to San Francisco diverts to Russia due to engine issue

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  Air India flight traveling from Delhi to San Francisco with 216 passengers on board made an emergency landing in Russia due to a technical issue with one of its engines, the airline confirmed on Wednesday. Flight AI173, which encountered the problem en route, safely landed in Magadan, Russia (GDX) after diverting from its original path.  Due to limited facilities at the remote airport, the passengers were provided makeshift accommodation, with efforts made to arrange local hotels in coordination with the assistance of the local government authorities. Since Air India does not have staff in Magadan or Russia, the airline is providing the best possible support under the circumstances.  To transport the passengers and crew to San Francisco, a ferry flight is scheduled to depart from Mumbai Airport to Magadan on Wednesday.  The ferry flight will carry essential supplies, including food, for the passengers. Air India expressed its concern for the well-being of the passe...

Quebec evacuates thousands as wildfires engulf Canada

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Quebec: Northern Quebec's largest town is under evacuation orders as firefighters battle numerous out-of-control wildfires in remote communities across the province.  Quebec forest fire prevention agency reported over 150 forest fires burning on Tuesday, with more than 110 classified as out of control. The effects of the intense Canadian wildfires are reaching far beyond Quebec, enveloping the northeastern US and parts of Eastern Canada in a hazy atmosphere, causing air quality concerns and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay indoors. Chibougamau, a town of approximately 7,500 people, received evacuation orders late Tuesday as authorities deemed it necessary to ensure residents' safety.  The evacuation is currently underway, and more information will be provided on Wednesday. Premier François Legault expressed concerns about several regions, particularly Abitibi-Témiscamingue in northwestern Quebec.  The communities of Normétal and Lebel-sur-Quévillon ar...

Karim Benzema makes shock move to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia

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Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or winner, Karim Benzema, has taken the football world by surprise as he officially signs a three-year contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad.  W E L C O M E ! B E N Z E M A 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/Oc9IK4OoDj — Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) June 6, 2023 The Jeddah-based team confirmed the deal on Tuesday, welcoming the French striker with great enthusiasm. In a Twitter announcement, Al-Ittihad exclaimed, "Benzema is here. A new tiger will roar. Welcome to Ittihad!" Benzema will reunite with his former Real Madrid teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo, in the Gulf Kingdom. Ronaldo, a five-time World Player of the Year, made the move to Al Nassr from Manchester United after last year's World Cup.  Speculations have also linked Lionel Messi, who recently departed Paris Saint-Germain, to a potential move to Saudi Arabia. Officials from another Saudi Arabian club, Al Hilal, have reportedly traveled to France to finalize a deal with Messi.  According to med...

Reddit announces workforce reduction of 5%

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Reddit, the popular online platform, has revealed its plan to reduce its workforce by approximately 5%, resulting in the termination of approximately 90 employees.  This move aligns Reddit with other technology companies in corporate America that have been downsizing their staff. In recent times, various tech companies, including Meta Platforms (formerly known as Facebook), have been implementing job cuts in anticipation of a potential economic downturn following a period of extensive hiring during the pandemic. Meta recently underwent a series of layoffs across multiple departments, leading to the elimination of 10,000 positions.  The downsizing initiative was initially announced in March and concluded with the most recent round of job cuts last month. Since its spin-off from Conde Nast in 2011, Reddit has experienced a surge in popularity, especially with the rise of forums like Wall Street Bets, which attracted retail investors interested in speculative stock trading. Accor...