WORLDWIDE from UAE
AI CHECKING UP ON DUBAI TAXI DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai will use artificial intelligence techniques to limit the spread of Covid-19 in taxis. Machine learning algorithms and computer vision will be used to monitor violations of preventive measures to reduce the spread of the virus such as social distancing and wearing masks inside taxis, for both passengers or drivers. Ahmed Mahboub, Director of the Smart Services Executive Depart- ment at the Authority said: “Two AImodels have been programmed to identify and detect faces in video files and detect the mask is correct, in addition to a mathematical model to calculate the dis- tance between passengers and the driver.” Mahboub confirmed that AI techniques have proven effective and its success is 100%. He added: “The experiment showed that AI can handle and process video files of 200,000 hours per day. This reduces the need for human intervention and saves time and effort. He emphasised that the RTA continues its efforts to be proactive in the fields of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in line with the Emi- rates AI strategy to harness these technologies to serve the community and achieve the authority’s vision of “safe and easy transportation for all.”
However, he was arrested for threatening state institutions and not having a gun licence. He was remorseful and apologised to anyone who may have been offended by the video as it was not his inten- tion for it to be broadcast. According to the man, it was “all a joke” and he only sent the video to a few friends but three weeks later he discovered his video was inWhatsApp groups right across the country.
TAXI PROTEST IN MADRID AS DRIVERS TAKE TO STREETSOVER SLUMP IN TRADE
from Spain
SPANISH DRIVER PRACTISED SHOOTING AT PICS OF SPANISH PRIME MINISTER
A video posted on Twitter of a taxi driv- er from the Costa del Sol shooting at pic- tures of the Spanish government went viral last week. The video showed him practising firing his shotgun at pho- tographs of Pedro Sanchez, Pablo Iglesias and other heads of state. Both the National Police and the Guardia opened an official investi- gation that led themto a shooting gallery in Malaga. The culprit was identified as an ex-militaryman turned taxi driver, who according to his statement, was testing the weapon because he wanted to get a shotgun licence.
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Two of Madrid’s main cab drivers’ unions, the Profes- sional Federation of Taxis in Madrid (PFTM) and Elite Taxi, have organised a protest due to the slump in demand because of the Covid-19 pandemic. A wave of honking taxis took over a central avenue in the Spanish capital to demand limits on the number of pay- for-ride vehicles which they say is contributing to a loss of business . When Spain’s state of emergency over the virus ended on June 21, the city’s 16,000-strong fleet was required to go back to work after half of the cabs had remained off the roads during the lockdown. But unions say that customer demand is now only 15% of what it was before the pandemic as life struggles to return to normal and tourists are few and far between. Taxi drivers complain that competition from ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Cabify is further cutting into their earnings. Taxi driver Jose Barandillo, 50, said there is a huge imbalance between supply and demand in Madrid and that drivers are losing money. The unions said that waiting for customers is also creating danger- ous health conditions as long queues of cab drivers stand by their vehicles at taxi ranks and at the city’s international airport. The mayor of Madrid told reporters that he’s open to talks with union representatives but that legally, it’s hard for City Hall to curb the number of ride providers operating.
from Ireland
WOMAN HACKED TO DEATH IN DUBLIN BY TAXI DRIVER HUSBAND
A woman has been killed by her taxi driver husband with a samurai sword and a meat cleaver at her home in Dublin. Jean Eagers, 57, died on Sunday morning, 21 June, in her home in Blanchardstown and her 60-year-old husband William Eagers, has been arrested in connection with her death. Mrs Eagers' son reportedly ran for help after witnessing part of the alleged attack. After neighbours raised the alarm, police had to force their way into the home after looking inside and seeing Mrs Eagers injured but finding the door barricaded. It’s reported that police overpowered Mr Eagers using Tasers and stun grenades and
JULY 2020
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