Footage from the trial showed teams making last-minute preparations before the start, while engineers closely followed the robots in support vehicles. From inside the vans, specialists monitored performance data in real time and made on-the-spot adjustments. The test also examined key logistical elements, including route planning, traffic coordination, equipment handling and emergency response protocols.

Industry representatives highlighted the significant progress made in recent months. Chu Yang, marketing manager at Unitree Robotics, noted that teams would use the trial data to refine pacing and race strategies. He added that improvements in both speed and completion rates across the sector have been particularly striking this year.

Organisers acknowledged that the trial also revealed a number of technical challenges that must be addressed before race day. Liang Liang, Deputy Secretary General of the Chinese Institute of Electronics, said the exercise met expectations overall and provided a strong foundation, while exposing issues such as mechanical faults and safety concerns that will require further attention.

The trial brought together both autonomous and remote-controlled robots across a variety of terrains, including urban roads and parkland, as part of a comprehensive stress test. Early indications point to notable gains in speed, with some teams suggesting their robots could eventually approach the performance of elite human runners. However, organisers stress that reliability and safety remain the top priorities ahead of the 21-kilometre race scheduled for 19 April, following a qualifying round later this week.

Her involvement in sport began early and transitioned into professional competition in 2017. Alongside competing, she has coached women globally and contributed to building stronger networks within the industry. 

In an interview on The Qonversation, Agbah-Hughes says a key focus of her work is the role of innovation in improving performance. For years, sports science relied largely on male data, leaving a gap in understanding female athletes.

“Technology is actually showing that we need this data collected for female athletes… so we can perform better,” she tells host, Naa Oyoe Quartey.

Wearable technology is central to this shift. Devices that track recovery, sleep and physical output are helping athletes better understand their bodies and training patterns.

Drawing from her experience, she notes the impact of these tools. “It would give me feedback… if I was sleeping properly… if I was resting efficiently.”

These insights are particularly valuable for women, as hormonal changes can influence performance. Tracking these patterns allows for more personalised and effective training strategies.

Technology is also playing a role in addressing inequality. Data-driven insights make it easier to evaluate performance objectively and highlight the capabilities of female athletes.

However, Agbah-Hughes acknowledges the challenges in accessing these tools in some regions. She stresses the need for greater awareness and education, especially across Africa. 

She also calls for increased visibility. “We can keep posting about women’s sports… and support one another by sharing stories.”

Beyond athletic performance, she points to opportunities in sports technology, media and leadership, encouraging women to engage across all areas of the industry.

Footage shows beachgoers stopping to take photos and watch the animated structure in action, as the cart continues to gain popularity both in person and on social media.

Cesar’s passion for building began in childhood, when limited resources led him to create his own toys using cans and scrap materials. He later worked as a welder, developing the technical skills needed to transform waste into functional and creative designs.

Today, he continues to source materials from junkyards and the streets, combining sustainability with entrepreneurship. His work not only attracts customers but also highlights how recycled materials can be repurposed into innovative and engaging creations.

1. Writing System (Hieroglyphs)

The Egyptians developed hieroglyphs, a system of symbols used to record language. This allowed them to document religious texts, administrative records and communication. Writing helped preserve knowledge and maintain order across the state.

2. Papyrus as a Writing Material

Papyrus was created from the papyrus plant and used as an early form of paper. It provided a reliable surface for writing and record-keeping. This invention improved communication and made documentation easier to store and transport.

3. Early Medical Practices

Ancient Egyptians made progress in medicine through observation and treatment. They carried out basic surgical procedures and used plant-based remedies. Medical texts show knowledge of injuries and illnesses, supporting early healthcare systems.

4. Engineering and Construction Methods

The Egyptians developed techniques that enabled the construction of large structures. Their work on pyramids and temples required planning and coordination. Tools and ramp systems were used to move heavy materials and improve efficiency.

5. Calendar and Timekeeping

They created a calendar based on the solar cycle and the flooding of the Nile. This helped organise farming and religious activities. Devices such as sundials were also used to measure time during the day.

6. Hygiene and Personal Care Products

Daily life included the use of products for cleanliness and comfort. Egyptians developed items such as toothpaste and deodorants. Cosmetics and perfumes were also used for both hygiene and cultural practices.

7. Transport and Trade Systems

Boats made from papyrus enabled travel along the Nile River. This supported trade and the movement of goods between regions. The river became central to economic and social activity.

The Arguments

Some analysts argue that targeting industrial sectors such as steel is intended to weaken Iran’s economic capacity. The shift towards economic targets suggests a change in strategy within the conflict.

There are concerns that prolonged disruption to heavy industry could deepen unemployment and reduce state revenues. Steel production is a key part of Iran’s industrial base, and damage to this sector may have wider economic effects.

Others warn that continued attacks on infrastructure could worsen existing economic pressures. Iran’s economy was already facing challenges, including inflation and limited investment, before the escalation of the conflict.

Some experts also note that economic damage may extend beyond immediate losses. Reduced industrial output and damaged facilities could limit recovery efforts and slow future growth.

Concerns remain about the broader impact of the war on global industry. Rising costs of energy and raw materials have already affected production in other regions, particularly in energy-intensive sectors such as steel.

The Facts

Recent strikes have targeted major steel facilities in Iran, causing direct disruption to production. One large plant in Khuzestan has stopped operations, affecting thousands of workers and contractors.

Damage has also been reported at another steel site in Isfahan, including impacts on power infrastructure and production lines. While the facility remains operational, its output has been affected.

The attacks form part of a broader escalation in the conflict, with economic infrastructure increasingly becoming a target. Reports indicate that steel and other industrial sectors are now within the scope of military operations.

The wider war has already disrupted economic activity across Iran. Businesses have closed, supply chains have been affected and employment conditions have worsened.

The conflict has also contributed to instability in global markets. Energy prices have risen and supply routes have been disrupted, affecting trade and industrial output beyond Iran.

According to the report by Rest of World, one of the biggest smelters in the world, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), has reduced production by 19% and declared force majeure on shipments because it is unable to transport commodities over the Strait of Hormuz. Following Iranian strikes on Gulf energy infrastructure, which prompted QatarEnergy to halt gas production on March 2, Qatalum has ceased operations entirely in Qatar.

Car manufacturers are already feeling the effects of the supply shock. Over the course of two months, Toyota has cut production of models that rely on Gulf aluminium by about 40,000 units. Nissan has also lowered its production targets.

Smelters in the Gulf region that serve businesses like Toyota, Nissan, and BMW, as well as suppliers to Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai Mobis in South Korea, and several other automotive clients globally, are either suspending operations or not fulfilling their contractual responsibilities. A significant source of automotive-grade aluminium has been disrupted by the U.S.-Iran war, which has essentially blocked the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping.

Over the past decades, Gulf countries have invested in aluminum production as part of broader efforts to reduce reliance on oil revenues. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar established large-scale smelting industries focused on the automotive market, with the UAE ranking as the fifth-largest aluminum producer globally.

To manage the disruption, some smelters are moving aluminum by land to ports outside the Strait. These alternative routes take longer and involve higher costs, adding strain to supply chains.

Aluminum plays a critical role in electric vehicle manufacturing due to its lightweight properties. The situation shows that EV supply chains still depend heavily on global shipping routes. The aluminum that supports vehicle efficiency is now held back by the same bottleneck that has long affected oil transport.

“This crisis is likely to permanently change how auto and EV manufacturers assess the Gulf as a sourcing region. Not by eliminating Gulf sourcing, but by forcing OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] to rethink risk exposure, diversification, and supply-chain resilience, Carsten Menke, head of next-generation research at Swiss investment bank Julius Baer, told Rest of World.

Researchers examined data from nearly 100,000 individuals to understand how everyday movement affects long-term health. The findings show that activities which cause a person to become slightly out of breath, even for a few minutes, can provide measurable health benefits.

The study, published on sciencedaily.com, focused on brief bursts of vigorous activity performed during daily routines rather than structured exercise. These activities include actions such as climbing stairs quickly, carrying heavy items, or walking at a fast pace. The results suggest that intensity plays an important role in improving health outcomes.

According to the researchers, participants who regularly engaged in short periods of higher-intensity movement had a lower risk of developing several conditions. These include heart disease, dementia, and diabetes.

The analysis also found that the total duration of activity was less important than the level of effort. Individuals who reached a point where they were breathing harder experienced greater benefits compared to those who remained at lower levels of exertion.

The researchers noted that these forms of activity are often part of normal daily life and do not require special equipment or dedicated exercise time. This makes the approach accessible to people who may not follow formal workout routines.

The study further highlights that even minimal time spent in vigorous activity can lead to noticeable health improvements. Individuals who incorporated just a few minutes of such effort each day showed reduced disease risk compared to those who remained inactive. 

The findings suggest that small changes in daily behavior can have a meaningful impact on long-term health. By increasing the intensity of routine activities, individuals may improve their overall well-being without making major lifestyle adjustments.

The decision, announced by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, has been formally published in the Government Gazette on 23 March 2026. 

Addressing the media, Theofelus said: “A very good afternoon to all our viewers and listeners at home. We're very happy alongside the chairperson of the Communications Regulator Authority of Namibia, Professor Mufeti, to do this press conference and appraise the nation on the decision taken by the Government of the Republic of Namibia through the Communications Regulator Authority of Namibia to decline the application licence of Starlink.”

She added that the briefing aimed to provide clarity and reinforce transparency in the decision-making process. “This engagement serves to provide context to that decision and to reaffirm the authorities commitment to transparency, regulatory certainty and of course the rule of law.”

According to the minister, CRAN’s mandate is to regulate the communications sector in a way that supports universal access, fair competition and national digital transformation. The government also seeks to balance innovation and investment with compliance to existing laws.

The application by Starlink, submitted on 1 June 2024, sought a Class Comprehensive Telecommunications Service Licence, including ECS and ECNS, as well as a spectrum licence for fixed satellite services. The regulator directed the applicant to seek an exemption under Section 46 of the Communications Act, Act No. 8 of 2009, relating to ownership requirements.

“It is on the 1st of July 2024 that the applicant then approached the Minister of ICT in terms of applying for the exemption under that particular Section 46 of the Act,” Theofelus said.

She noted that consultations were held with stakeholders before a decision on the exemption was communicated to both CRAN and the applicant. A structured assessment then followed, guided by administrative law principles, including legality, rationality and procedural fairness.

The minister explained that the evaluation considered six statutory criteria: competition, technical and financial capacity, frequency availability, ownership and control, national defence and public security, and compliance history.

Teams were seen placing the 300-metre structure across affected areas of the bay, securing it so it can act as a filter. The barrier is designed to trap oil on the surface before it disperses further into the marine environment. 

"Today, we are here installing the largest barrier ever installed in Brazil. We are going to install a 300-metre barrier made of human hair as a preventive measure to be able to absorb this oil," said Mariana Robrahn, Founder of the NGO Fiotrar.

The project relies on hair donations collected from individuals and salons. Organisers describe the material as both widely available and suitable for reuse, offering an alternative to conventional clean-up methods.

"The way this hair is collected is through recycling. Today we can use a material that would be 100% discarded, an abundant material, also for reuse and recycling, to remove oils from the oceans. The hair comes from donations. So people donate this hair to us, not only individuals, but salons also end up properly allocating this material. That is, taking it out of the trash and using it so that we can produce these mats and help with actions like this that we are going to carry out here today," Robrahn added.

Experts involved in the effort explain that hair’s structure allows it to bind effectively with oil, improving its performance as a filtering material.

"Hair is very fine, it has a lot of surface area, right? And it can adhere to a large amount of oil, like mud," said Susana Vinzo, Coordinator of Orla sem lixo transforma.

"Hair is very fine, it has a lot of surface area, right? And it can adhere to a large amount of oil, like mud. We see that the coloration of the water in rivers, for example, fine suspended sediments, are very good at associating with all kinds of contaminants, especially oil as well, because it is a small material with a lot of surface area, so it can gather, right? Attract a large amount of oil, in this case, for the amount of hair," she explained.

For local fishermen, pollution in the bay has direct economic consequences. Debris and contaminants often interfere with fishing equipment and reduce catch efficiency.

"It is important because when we come here to fish, this garbage sticks to our nets, you know? It makes fishing difficult," said fisherman Joelson Faria.

"It is important because when we come here to fish, this garbage sticks to our nets, you know? It makes fishing difficult. Our boat stops and the engine has to stop all the time because of the garbage. And cleaning is essential for our fishing, for our survival, even for the fish," he added.

Participants say the initiative also aims to strengthen community involvement in environmental protection, with local businesses and residents contributing to both material collection and awareness efforts.

The link between email spam and canned meat

SPAM is a canned meat product introduced by the American company Hormel in 1937. The product became widely known and was sold in many countries. For years, the word “spam” simply referred to the meat. The connection to unwanted messages only appeared much later. 

The shift happened because of a famous comedy sketch by the British comedy group Monty Python in the 1970s. In the sketch, customers sit in a café while the word “spam” is repeated again and again by other characters. The constant repetition becomes so loud that it interrupts normal conversation.

How early internet users adopted the term

When early internet communities formed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, users began borrowing the word from the Monty Python sketch. They used “spam” to describe messages that appeared repeatedly in online discussion groups.

These repeated posts often pushed normal conversations out of view. Because the messages were unwanted and appeared again and again, users started calling them spam.

From online forums to email inboxes

As email became popular in the 1990s, the term quickly moved into everyday internet language. Large amounts of advertising emails and mass messages were labelled as spam. Email services then created spam filters to automatically detect and move these messages away from the main inbox.

Today the word spam is used across many digital platforms. It refers to unwanted messages sent in bulk, including promotional emails, suspicious links, and misleading offers. The original link to canned meat is rarely considered, but the name has remained part of internet culture for decades.

Across continents, several large and carefully planned islands stand as examples of how engineering has reshaped coastlines. 

Palm Jumeirah, United Arab Emirates

Palm Jumeirah is one of the most recognisable artificial islands in the world. Built off the coast of Dubai in the Persian Gulf, the island forms part of a wider development known as the Palm Islands.

Construction began in the early 2000s and relied on land reclamation techniques. Sand was dredged from the seabed and shaped to create an island that resembles a palm tree when seen from above. 

The structure is organised into three main sections. A central “trunk” holds shops and apartment buildings. Seventeen “fronds” branch outward and are lined with residential villas. An outer crescent acts as a breakwater and hosts hotels and resorts. 

The development has expanded Dubai’s shoreline and houses tens of thousands of residents.

Kansai International Airport Island, Japan

In Osaka Bay, Japan constructed an artificial island to house Kansai International Airport. The airport opened in 1994 and sits about five kilometres offshore.

The project was designed to relieve pressure on Osaka’s existing airport, which was surrounded by dense urban development. Building offshore allowed aircraft to operate with fewer noise restrictions.

Construction required extensive engineering work. The island was formed through land reclamation and protected by seawalls. Engineers had to address challenges such as soft seabed clay, typhoons, and earthquakes.

Today the airport handles millions of passengers each year and remains one of the most notable examples of infrastructure built on a man-made island.

Chek Lap Kok Airport Island, Hong Kong 

Hong Kong International Airport is another major facility constructed on reclaimed land. The airport opened in 1998 and was built around the island of Chek Lap Kok, where surrounding waters were filled to create a large platform for aviation infrastructure.

The project expanded the site to more than twelve square kilometres. It allowed Hong Kong to replace its former airport at Kai Tak, which had limited room for growth and challenging flight paths through the city.

The airport has since become one of the busiest air cargo and passenger hubs in Asia.

Bluewaters Island, United Arab Emirates 

Another artificial island in Dubai is Bluewaters Island, located about 400 metres off the Jumeirah Beach Residence coastline. Construction began in 2013 and the island opened in 2018. 

The development was created through dredging and land reclamation. It includes residential buildings, hotels, retail areas, and entertainment facilities.

The island is also home to Ain Dubai, a large observation wheel that has become a prominent landmark on the city’s waterfront.

Flevopolder, Netherlands

The Netherlands has a long history of reclaiming land from water. Flevopolder is the largest artificial island in the world and forms part of the country’s extensive system of polders.

Unlike many artificial islands created for tourism or infrastructure, Flevopolder was developed for settlement and agriculture. It was formed by draining sections of the IJsselmeer lake through a system of dykes and pumps.

Today the area contains towns, farmland, and transport links, demonstrating how land reclamation has played a central role in Dutch water management and urban expansion.

Many users assume that a strong signal automatically means high speed internet. However, this is a common misunderstanding. Signal bars show signal strength, not network speed.

What Signal Bars Actually Show

Signal bars indicate how strong the connection is between your phone and the nearest mobile tower. When the bars are full, your device is receiving a strong radio signal. When the bars are low, the signal is weaker.

Signal strength helps determine whether your device can maintain a stable connection. It affects call quality and the ability to connect to the network. However, it does not directly measure how fast data will load.

Signal Strength vs Internet Speed

Internet speed depends on several technical factors. These include how much bandwidth is available and how many users are connected to the same network at the same time.

Even with full signal bars, speeds can be slow if the network is congested. This often happens in crowded areas, such as stadiums, transport hubs or city centres, where many people are using mobile data at once.

In contrast, you may sometimes experience acceptable speeds even with fewer signal bars, provided the network is not overloaded.

The Role of Network Congestion 

Network congestion occurs when too many users share the same resources. Mobile networks have limited capacity. When demand increases, each user may receive a smaller share of the available bandwidth.

This means that full bars do not prevent slow loading times. The bars only confirm that your phone has a strong connection to the tower. They do not reflect how busy the network is.

Other Factors That Affect Speed

Internet speed can also be influenced by the type of network technology in use, such as 4G or 5G, and the capabilities of the device itself. Location and physical obstacles may also affect performance. 

However, the key point remains that signal bars measure connection strength, not speed.

Understanding this distinction can help users better interpret what their phone is displaying and avoid confusion when performance does not match expectations.

Here are six key facts about the phenomenon and how it will be observed.

What the planetary parade will be

Six planets will line up in the early morning sky. This event is called a planetary parade, when several planets appear close together in the sky from Earth’s perspective. According to NASA, this global event is expected on February, 28.

Which planets will be visible

The planets expected to be visible during this alignment will be Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. Some will be visible to the naked eye, while others may require binoculars.

Best time to watch

The parade will be visible just before dawn. Sky watchers will be advised to look about an hour before sunrise, when the sky will still be dark enough to see the planets clearly. 

Where to look

Observers will need a clear eastern horizon. Buildings, trees or hills that block the view may make it harder to see the planets. An open area with minimal light pollution will provide better viewing conditions.

Appearance and brightness

Not all planets will appear equally bright. Venus will likely be the brightest and easiest to identify. Mars may show a reddish tint, while the others will appear less bright but still visible under suitable conditions.

How long the parade will last

The alignment will not occur for just a single morning. The planets will appear close together over several days, giving observers multiple opportunities to view the event in the early morning sky.

Pankaj, who posts on X as @the2ndfloorguy, turned a common annoyance into a technical experiment. “I was tired of waking up at 3 am either sweaty or freezing. so i taught my ai roommate to automatically control the fan by watching me sleep 📸.”

The system relies on body language. If he sprawls with limbs exposed, the fan starts. If he curls into himself, the fan stops.

He added, “arms or leg sticking out means i'm hot so fan turns on, arms curled up means i'm cold so fan turns off.”

The mechanics are modest but effective. A Mediapipe pose vision model runs on his Raspberry Pi server, analysing his sleeping posture in real time. When the conditions are met, a small device presses the fan’s remote button.

“Runs mediapipe pose vision model on my raspi home server, detects my sleep position in real time, sends a signal, button gets pressed. that's it," he stated.

For Pankaj, this is part of building something bigger. “building an AI roommate. watches me 24x7, annoys me, checks in when I'm quiet, notices my patterns, calls out bad habits, nudges me to do better humans are overrated :”

He noted that the demo uses a stock photo and that the blanket sometimes confuses the system, but improvements are underway.

As smart homes evolve, his experiment hints at a future where artificial intelligence quietly adapts to human comfort, even in the middle of the night.

The Arguments

Supporters of the new technologies assert that this approach enriches the sport-going experience for those who have been underserved by traditional accessibility tools. By making sound perceptible through touch and sight, these innovations aim to foster a more inclusive atmosphere.

Sceptics caution that haptic solutions have limitations and may not suit all individuals. They emphasise that sensory experiences are deeply personal and complex, and that a combination of supportive measures remains essential for full inclusion. 

What is clear is that accessibility for deaf fans is evolving from a peripheral concern to a design priority. Through collaborative development with deaf users, engineers and sports organisations are rethinking sound as a multi-sensory phenomenon. In doing so, they are laying the foundations for a future where no supporter is sidelined from the full experience of live sport.

The Facts

At international sporting events such as the Deaflympics in Tokyo, inclusive technologies have been tested that reinterpret sound for deaf audiences. Visual cues, including animated on-screen graphics that replicate sound effects, and tactile interfaces that translate audio into vibrations, have been employed to convey the texture of the atmosphere.

Leading this innovation are wearable devices. One example gaining attention in football circles is the sound shirt, which uses embedded motors to convert stadium noise into real-time haptic feedback. Microphones around the venue feed ambient sound into the shirt’s processing unit, which then triggers specific vibration patterns. 

These systems do not literally restore hearing, but they provide an alternative route by which fans can physically engage with the dynamics of a match. Early trials, including Premier League demonstrations, have shown that wearers can sense variations in crowd intensity and “feel” the ebb and flow of the game.