It’s a hassle in New York City where poor residents are dumping house refuse into city garbage bins. In some parts of the city, they have even removed the bins it’s becoming so troublesome.

Artificial intelligence solutions provider SenSen Networks Ltd (ASX: SNS) SenSen has today announced the launch of the world’s first AI-powered smartphone app Gemineye, which offers governments, municipalities and cities worldwide an affordable, highly accurate, cloud-based smart city platform in the palm of their hands to help tackle illegal dumping.

Illegal dumping is a significant issue for local governments, municipalities, cities and our planet. Not only is illegal dumping a threat to the environment, contaminating soil and nearby waterways, but it is also a public health issue and can cost taxpayers millions to prevent, monitor, enforce and clean up. The challenge is, catching dodgy dumpers requires a significant level of investment in time and resources.

In fact, in America, it is costing municipalities, and taxpayers, millions of dollars a year – for example, in Pennsylvania, it costs taxpayers upward of $10 million per year to clean up roadside litter and $600 per ton to clean up an illegal dump site, of which there are thousands in Pennsylvania.

Subhash Challa, CEO at SenSen Networks, believes this new solution is a game changer for governments, cities and municipalities, offering a cost-effective approach to smart city management and removing the barriers to entry.

“Cities worldwide look to provide their citizens with a number of civic services, including ensuring cities are safe and clean to live in. Technology is greatly enhancing the services cities can provide, but the cost of today’s specialist equipment and technology is prohibitively expensive for most cities in the world,” said Dr. Challa.

“We wanted to change that and make these solutions affordable, accessible and reliable to every city all over the globe. Gemineye does that. This breakthrough technology delivers the same intelligence and services at a much lower cost, helping to usher in a new era of smart cities worldwide, and make roads safer, cities smarter and businesses more productive.”

With the technology accessible through a smartphone app, governments and municipalities can significantly reduce capital expenditure and the maintenance costs of expensive smart city infrastructure and analysis solutions, such as illegal dumping monitoring equipment. Labor costs can also be reduced, as the AI technology can notify authorities when a certain situation arises, rather than having to review all the footage manually to identify incidents of interest.

An EYE for Dodgy Dumping

The way the app works is simple. Municipalities or government operators select the service they require through the Gemineye smartphone app. The smartphone will then begin to analyse feeds from its sensors and cameras in real-time, utilising SenSen’s proprietary AI-powered software. SenSen’s highly accurate AI-powered software will then identify activities of people, vehicles of interest and assets of relevance to the city and upload this data to their smart city cloud infrastructure in real-time.

Current approaches use a combination of wildlife photography devices and CCTV cameras to capture activity on illegal dumping. This is expensive, not real time, immobile and requires significant manual effort to go through all motion activated imagery to identify people and vehicles of interest.

Gemineye changes all that. Not only do municipalities get notified in real-time when someone is conducting illegal activity, but it also captures all the information they require to properly enforce compliance with local laws, as well as being highly portable. With illegal dumping costing municipalities tens of millions of dollars each year, Gemineye will not only help prevent this activity but it will also significantly reduce the cost of monitoring, analysis and enforcement.

The possibilities are endless

SenSen will initially launch Gemineye with two core services – parking enforcement and real-time illegal dumping detection. However, Dr. Challa believes the possibilities will be endless.

“The power of Gemineye is enormous for the future. You could have every retailer in the world using the app to track their stores or foot traffic within them. You could have manufacturers using it to advise on new efficiencies. Mining and construction could also use it for health and safety. There are different applications for Gemineye in every city, industry and business in the world,” he said.

“We believe this is going to open up and deliver so many more functions beyond the two services available today. We cannot wait to deliver further enhancements to our customers and give them smart AI-powered analytics in the palm of their hand.”

Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia. It is one of the most modern and contemporary cities in the Kingdom. The city has a high volume of travellers passing through it, both for business and leisure. Being the torchbearer of contemporary luxury in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the hospitality of the hotels in the city must be up to par. Here are the top 5 luxury hotels in Riyadh which are living up to the standards of luxury Arabian hospitality:

1. Shaza Riyadh:

Shaza Riyadh is an oasis of luxury in the middle of the Saudi Arabian capital. Located on the crossroads of modernity and tradition, Shaza Riyadh stays true to its spirit and redefines luxury in the city. Shaza hotels are a testament to the possibility of reawakening the glorious past, heritage and traditions and fusing them successfully with the modern times of today. Shaza’s vision remains rooted in the ancient times of the Silk trade route and the caravans that travelled along it, in search of an oasis of comfort for some rest before they continued their journey. True to that spirit, Shaza Riyadh provides guests with the epitome of luxury in a contemporary experience which is not to be forgotten soon.

Striking in its use of open sunlit spaces, sophisticated patterns and rich designs, the hotel is opulent from the very first sight. The staff is friendly and indulging to the guests’ every whim. The all-day-dining restaurant MeNa offers guests the decadent experience of North African and Middle Eastern cuisines, and the Bistro offers ready-to-go locally sourced and prepared food for guests on the move. Shaza Riyadh exudes luxury through its living quarters. The living quarters are elegantly furnished using muted hues and furnishings which are pleasing to the mind and comfortable for the body. The hotel offers deluxe rooms and one- to three-bedroom suites with all-inclusive amenities such as flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, kitchenettes, toiletries and vanity gadgets.

The Afiya Wellness Centre takes care of the day’s ills and troubles with their therapeutic spa services, while the kids enjoy themselves at the on-site Kids’ Club nearby. There is also a fully equipped gym and heated indoor pool for fitness enthusiasts. The business centre and meeting rooms ensure guests can conduct their business in comfort. Shaza Riyadh takes care of every aspect of its guests’ needs and leaves them delighted and wanting to come back for more.

2. Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh:

Surrounded by ancient olive trees, beautiful gardens and palm trees that speak of the hospitable Arabian heritage, the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh is a majestic place. Entering the lobby, one is overtaken by the regal décor and spacious surroundings. With 492 rooms and suites fit to house a king, the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh offers luxurious living fit for a five-star hotel. The rooms are elegantly decorated with plush furnishings and indulgent amenities. The hotel also offers incomparable accommodation by way of the Royal Suite, which houses two bedrooms, a dining table with a capacity of 14 guests and a personal office to take care of business. Talk about luxury!

The dining options on offer are a mix of Italian, Chinese and Middle Eastern cuisines. The restaurants on-site include all-day dining, international and local cuisine, a cigar lounge, a bowling alley and mouth-watering Arabian desserts. The hotel also offers unique chef-led dining experiences and private dining. The spa is a sprawling luxurious facility which offers relaxing treatments to tired muscles after a long day of work or leisure. However, it only caters to males. There are separate fitness centres for males and females and each is fully equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and tools for the fitness enthusiasts. With 52 acres of lavish gardens and 62,000 sq. ft. of event space, the Ritz-Carlton lives up to its stellar reputation as a five-star luxury hotel in the middle of the Saudi Arabian capital.

3. Four Seasons, Riyadh:

Located at Kingdom Centre, the Four Seasons Riyadh is a haven for business travellers and fans of city life. While other hotels may be situated a bit far from the city, the Four Seasons is strategically placed right in the middle of all the happenings around the vibrant city of Riyadh. The deluxe, premium and superior rooms offer unparalleled views of the city along with muted hues and calming décor. The five different categories of suites offer every luxurious comfort available to ensure guests have a memorable stay at the hotel. The indulgent 2-floor suite is also available to pamper guests to the fullest. Spread out over 22 floors, the living quarters are spacious, comfortable and luxurious. The Four Seasons also offers a unique luxury for the ladies: the Pearl Floor, which is dedicated entirely to women and offers exclusive amenities.

By way of dining, the three restaurants offer mouth-watering cuisine with their own twists. The Grill is a traditional Majlis-style setting which offers local cuisine, Elements is home to international cuisine prepared from the finest ingredients, and the Lobby Lounge is a place to relax and unwind with friends over snacks and beverages. The hotel also houses a spa which offers indulgent Royal Moroccan Hamam and hot stone massage treatments for the guests. Other amenities enjoyed by guests at the Four Seasons include an outdoor pool, outdoor sports courts, health club with steam room and sauna, business centre, kids’ activities and a number of spacious ballrooms for events and meetings.

4. Al Mashreq Boutique Hotel, Riyadh:

A part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Al Mashreq Boutique hotel stands proudly near the Kingdom Centre in the middle of the city. The hotel, as the name suggests, is small but indulgent luxury is one of their main offerings. The living quarters offer views of the city or the lush interior gardens and are decorated in rich Arabian themes. Some rooms offer balconies as well. The furnishings are lavish and comfortable for the guests to enjoy a restful stay. Amenities include coffee stations, minibars, flat screen TVs, Wi-Fi and vanity kits.

The two restaurants, Ewaan and Al Mashrabiya, offer authentic Arabic cuisines with distinct flavours. Ewaan’s speciality is Moroccan food, while Al Mashrabiya offers Lebanese cuisine for the guests’ palates. The Tea Lounge is a great place to unwind with some sandwiches and light beverages. The spa indulges guests in traditional experiences such as the Moroccan Hamam to rejuvenate their spirits. There are also massage treatments for the guests. The gym has top-notch facilities including a trainer, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and indoor pool. The business centre, meeting rooms and ballroom offer plenty of space to conduct business and host events.

Al Mashreq Boutique Hotel is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia, providing personalized service and exuding charm and luxury in everything they do.

5. Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya:

A combined business and leisure retreat, the Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya offers modern architecture with a mix of traditional hospitality to make the retreat worthwhile. Spread over 28 floors, the living quarters offer beautiful views of the vibrant city of Riyadh. Offering a wide variety of rooms and suites with varying views and amenities, each of the accommodations ensures a comfortable stay for the guests. The in-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, media hubs with phone docking stations, vanity gadgets, tea/coffee stations and touch panel controls for temperature and lighting.

The on-site restaurants offer two distinctly unique flavours from around the world. Guests can visit The Azure for Agean luxury dining or the 56^th Avenue Diner for enjoying popular dished from around the USA in a more relaxed setting. With over 1000 metres of meeting spaces, events are popular at Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya. There are many natural attractions nearby, such as the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, Masmak Fort, and the Riyadh Zoo. Located in prime proximity to all kinds of entertainment for all ages, Hyatt Regency is a great choice for experiencing Arabian luxury both inside the hotel and out.

Have you ever experienced the indulgence at one of these hotels? Let us know!

The discovery of the name of an ancient city in archaeological investigations is a relatively rare occurrence. The name of the wine-exporting city of Elusa is well-known from historical sources, however this is the first archaeological evidence of the name from the site itself.

A 1700-year old stone bearing a Greek inscription referring to the name of the city of Elusa (Hebrew: Halutza) has been discovered in archaeological excavations in Halutza National Park in the Negev.

The excavations in the ancient city of Elusa are part of a project directed by Prof. Michael Heinzelmann on behalf of the University of Cologne in cooperation with Dr. Tali Erickson-Gini on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Students from the University of Cologne and the University of Bonn participated in three years of excavations, which are underwritten by the German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development.

The inscription is being studied by Prof. Leah Di Segni from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The discovery of an inscription with the name of the ancient city in the site itself is a rare occurrence.

The name of the city of Elusa appears in a number of historical documents and contexts, including the Madaba mosaic map, the Nessana papyri and other historical references. However, this is the first time that the name of the city has been discovered in the site itself. The inscription mentions several Caesars of the tetrarchy which allow to date it around 300 CE.

In addition, in the recent excavation season, a bathhouse and Byzantine church were uncovered. The 40 m long three-aisled church contained an eastward apse, whose vault was originally decorated with a glass mosaic. Its nave was decorated with marble.

The bathhouse is a large, urban complex of which were revealed part of the furnace and caldarium (hotroom). The well-preserved hypocaust underlying the caldarium heated the floor and walls by way of brick-built channels and ceramic pipes. Its originates in the Middle Roman period but was in use until the 6 th c. CE.

Elusa was founded towards the end of the 4 th century BCE as an important station along the Incense Road, the ancient road between Petra and Gaza. The city continued to develop, reaching its peak in the Byzantine period in the fourth to mid-sixth centuries CE. In that period, it was inhabited by tens of thousands of inhabitants and was the only city in the Negev.

The three-year project, underwritten by the Germany-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development, included a combination of pedestrian surveys and technological methods such as geophysical surveys and remote imaging in order to map the ancient city and its surroundings.

During the project, researchers succeeded in reconstructing the plan of the city and identifying its streets which often were accompanied by porticoes and blocks of buildings, all of which display elements of both western and eastern planning and construction. The surveys have also revealed the presence of nine churches, a huge peristyle building, maybe a market building, and the existence of at least three pottery workshops.

The city covered in its heyday a surface of about 100 acres reaching a population of about 8000 inhabitants.

In the wake of the wide-ranging surveys carried out by the German expedition, excavations were carried out at key points in the site to reveal the development of the city. According to Dr. Tali Erickson-Gini, a project member on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority: “The export of high-quality wine from the Negev Highlands in the Byzantine period was responsible for economic prosperity that affected the entire region.

Elusa was also an important station on the route used by Christian pilgrims on their way to and from Santa Katarina in southern Sinai and as such was visited by many foreign travelers.

Archeologists unearth ancient winery in Israel

The site appears to have gone out of existence by the end of the seventh century CE, but its name was preserved locally in the Arabic name of its ruins: ‘el-Khalassa’. The site was used as a source of building stone for Ottoman Gaza and Beersheva until the British Mandate period and as a result few building remains can be seen on the surface today and much of the site is hidden
under the sand.”