More than 1.5m foreign pilgrims begin Hajj despite Iran war fears Muslims have begun the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia against the backdrop of a region deeply shaken by the Iran war. Saudi authorities said last week that some 1.51 million pilgrims had arrived from outside the kingdom. That is 11,000 more than last year, despite concerns in the region about a resumption of the three-month-old conflict between the US, Israel and Iran. Before a fragile ceasefire took effect last month, Iran launched waves of missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbours in retaliation for US and Israeli air strikes. Two civilians living in the central city of al-Kharj were killed in an Iranian attack on 8 March, along with a US service member stationed at the nearby Prince Sultan Air Base.

Membership in ACM includes a subscription to Communications of the ACM (CACM), the computing industry's most trusted source for staying connected to the world of advanced computing. Networked tethered flying platforms' superior monitoring coverage compared to ground-based cameras make them well-suited for surveillance and long-range detection. Large-scale events, such as the Hajj, constitute complex logistical events that attract approximately two to three million pilgrims annually to Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The immense scale of these gatherings presents significant challenges related to crowd management, infrastructure, public safety, and connectivity which can adversely impact both the pilgrimage experience and their well-being. The Hajj presents significant challenges in mobility, security, and connectivity, impacting the pilgrimage experience and requiring improved solutions.

An artificial intelligence (AI) system detects tuberculosis (TB) in chest X-rays at a level comparable to radiologists, according to a study published in Radiology. Researchers said the AI system may be able to aid screening in areas with limited radiologist resources. TB is an infectious disease of the lungs that kills more than a million people worldwide every year. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem, with recent reports indicating that 21% fewer people received care for TB in 2020 than in 2019. Almost 90% of the active TB infections occur in about 30 countries, many with scarce resources needed to address this public health problem.

On Thursday, history repeated itself on the shores of Plymouth. In 1620, English pilgrims arrived in North America on the Mayflower. Now, 402 years later, another ship with that name found its way to the Massachusetts coastline. The first Mayflower had more than 100 people on board, the modern version had zero. The Mayflower Autonomous Ship, designed by nautical research company Promare and IBM, completed its voyage from England almost entirely without human assistance.

A robotic recreation of the 17th century Mayflower ship has finally completed a 3,500 journey across the Atlantic Ocean, in 40 days. Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) – a 50-foot-long autonomous research vessel piloted by artificial intelligence (AI) – arrived in Halifax, Canada on Sunday (June 5). MAS, which carried no humans on board and relied on artificial intelligence, had set sail from Turnchapel Wharf, Plymouth, England in the early hours of April 27. The ship was smooth sailing until the second week of May when a generator issue diverted it to Portugal's Azores islands so a team member could fly in to do repairs. During the latter stages of the journey the decision was made to head to Halifax – as opposed to Virginia as previously planned – due to more mechanical issues.

A robotic recreation of the 17th century Mayflower ship has set sail for US shores once more after a failed first attempt last year. Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) – a 50-foot-long autonomous research vessel piloted by artificial intelligence (AI) – departed from Plymouth, England on Wednesday (April 27). If all goes to plan, the £1 million ($1.3 million) ship will reach Virginia in about three weeks, and in the process become the largest autonomous vessel to ever cross the Atlantic. With no humans on board the ship, it relies on AI to make decisions and look out for potential obstacles in the water. MAS was built to recreate the original Mayflower's historic journey from England to the New World more than 400 years ago.

An autonomous version of the historical Mayflower ship that's powered by artificial intelligence (AI) is set to make is maiden voyage across the Atlantic next month. On April 19, Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) will depart from Plymouth, England and arrive at Plymouth, Massachusetts about 3,000 miles and two weeks later. The original ship, which transported 102 passengers known as the Pilgrims, took 10 weeks to reach its destination in the autumn of 1620. The new 50-foot ship, which won't carry any human passengers or even crew, will roughly take the same route as its predecessor. When they set sail from Plymouth, England, on September 16, 1620, the Pilgrims were escaping religious persecution and sought to establish a settlement in the New World.

India's Kumbh Mela festival is billed as the world's biggest gathering of people. Between now and March organisers expect about 120 million pilgrims to bathe at the Sangam - the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Hindus believe that doing so will cleanse them of their sins and help them attain "moksha", setting them free from the cycle of birth and death. So how does one prepare for a gathering of humanity so mammoth it can be seen from outer space? The mela (Hindi for fair) is held in the northern city of Allahabad (recently renamed Prayagraj) every 12 years. On Tuesday, when the festival formally begins, officials are preparing for 15 to 20 million visitors.

Dubai – The Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah has published on its Youtube channel a video giving an insight on how Haj as we know it today will change in 2030. Saudi vision 2030 doesn't only tackle economic and public sector development but also Haj and Umrah services will be improved. Artificial intelligence and technology as announced by Minister of Haj and Umrah, Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten, will give pilgrims to Makkah a high quality experience. According to the video, Muslims from around the world who intend to undertake Haj would have to apply through a mobile application, and within a few days, they will receive a box that contains an electronic card, a bracelet, and an earphone. The pilgrims should keep these three items with themselves at all times during the Haj.

In a fascinating new book, the Financial Times's economics expert Tim Harford chooses his favourite inventions that changed our world -- and many of them will surprise you. Just imagine, for a moment, the end of civilisation. Perhaps it was swine flu or nuclear war, or maybe even killer robots. And now imagine that you -- lucky you -- are one of the few survivors. Surrounded by the wreckage of modernity, without access to the lifeblood of modern technology, where do you start again?