‘AirBubble’ playground offers respite from Warsaw pollution
Warsaw (AFP) – A new playground prototype in central Warsaw uses algae which feast on pollutants and carbon dioxide to provide a bubble of clean oxygen in the city.
UK
Sculpture rises from Beirut blast debris to mark one year anniversary
Beirut (AFP) – Workers construct a 25-metre-tall steel sculpture dubbed “The Gesture” by Lebanese artist Nadim Karam made from debris from the August 4 blast at Beirut’s port. The explosion that thundered through the city levelled entire neighbourhoods, killed more than 200 people, wounded 6,500 others and pummelled the lives of survivors. Beirut is still struggling following the deadly explosion, with the country facing an accelerating financial crisis branded by the World Bank as one of the worst in modern times.
Russia's coldest region burns with wildfires
Berdigestyakh (Russia) (AFP) – Wildfires burn through the forests of north-east Siberia, normally one of the world's coldest regions. The blazes have destroyed more than 1.5 million hectares (3.7m acres) with more than a month still to go in Siberia's annual fire season.
Russia’s coldest region burns with wildfires
Berdigestyakh (Russia) (AFP) – Wildfires burn through the forests of north-east Siberia, normally one of the world’s coldest regions. The blazes have destroyed more than 1.5 million hectares (3.7m acres) with more than a month still to go in Siberia’s annual fire season. Devastating forest fires have ripped across the region with increasing regularity over the past few years, which Russian weather officials and environmentalists have linked to climate change and an underfunded forest service.
Flight attendants receive self-defense training as incidents with violent passengers rise
Flight attendants are getting self-defense training as the number of unruly passengers is on the rise. CNN's Pete Muntean reports.
Simulation helps California police department cope with confrontation
Oakland (United States) (AFP) – A shootout is taking place at the Oakland Police Station – virtually. The Californian police department is using a simulator to train new and veteran officers on de-escalation and use of force, by putting them through 12 different scenarios, such as coming face to face with a man armed with a machete.
Simulation helps California police department cope with confrontation
Oakland (United States) (AFP) – A shootout is taking place at the Oakland Police Station – virtually. The Californian police department is using a simulator to train new and veteran officers on de-escalation and use of force, by putting them through 12 different scenarios, such as coming face to face with a man armed with a machete. The programme has been created in a bid to avoid further incidents like the murder of George Floyd, who was killed by Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin in May 2020 after he knelt on Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds.
The Dutch surfer turning the tide on plastic
This biologist-turned-surfer builds boards made out of plastic waste and uses them for expeditions that highlight global issues around plastic pollution.
Giant robots create sport-inspired art during the Olympics
Interpreting the motion of athletes, these 1.3 tonne robots create daily unique artworks in a gravel garden inspired by ancient Japanese traditions. The installation has come from the UK as part of a city-wide art festival in Tokyo.
Simone Biles withdraws from all-around competition
Simone Biles will not defend her Olympic title. The American gymnastics superstar withdrew from Thursday's all-around competition to focus on her mental well-being. (July 28)
IMF sees surge in inflation among global economies as temporary: expert
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is taking a mainstream view that the current surge in inflation in the global economic environment is temporary due to several transitory factors, an economist said Tuesday as IMF upgraded the World Economic Outlook (WEO) on the same day.
UN body to approve report on tackling climate change
A UN organization is set to approve a report on climate change with a view to better understanding climate change and providing new resources for relevant policymakers as mounting risks of extreme weather events require urgent action around the world.
