Latest news with #OsmAnd
Local Germany
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Local Germany
Why drivers in Germany learned they can't always trust Google Maps
The German Automobile Club (ADAC) had warned that there would be problems on the roads on Thursday due to Ascension Day and the start of a four-day holiday weekend for many, but no one expected that a Google Maps glitch would exacerbate the problem. Google Maps indicated that multiple sections of motorways around Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, and other major German cities were closed on Thursday, but at the time the roads were open with traffic flowing as expected. Parts of the Netherlands and Belgium were also affected. Social media quickly filled with complaints as commuters detoured for miles, delivery drivers missed appointments, and holiday travellers took to backroads, zigzagging unnecessarily on smaller regional roads. "They can't have closed ALL the motorways," Bild quoted one Facebook user as posting. "Especially because the traffic news isn't reporting anything." Google acknowledged the issue by midday, attributing the false closures to erroneous data feeds from third-party sources. The company urged users to report inaccuracies and promised a swift resolution. By late afternoon, most of the phantom closures had disappeared from the app. 'The information in Google Maps comes from various sources (including) a combination of third-party providers, public sources, and user input,' a spokesperson told N-tv . 'In general, these sources provide a strong basis for comprehensive and up-to-date map material.' Screenshots from the Google Maps app shared by N-tv show red dots that indicate traffic disruptions scattered around Dortmund and Essen, as well as on highways going and coming from Frankfurt. Thursday's incident came at an awkward time for many road users, with traffic already heavy on account of the Ascension Day public holiday. Congestion and delays are expected on the network again on Sunday – as holidaymakers who have taken advantage of the long weekend begin returning home. READ ALSO: Where drivers in Germany can expect the worst traffic around Ascension Day Is Google Maps reliable in Germany? This isn't the first time that Google Maps has created problems for motorists in Germany in recent weeks. At the beginning of the month, the app informed users that motorway tunnels in Thuringia were closed. The complaint was corrected following complaints from the police. Until Google confirms that it has identified and definitively fixed the issues with its software, drivers are advised to double-check their journey plans. Advertisement What are the alternatives to Google Maps? Google Maps is not the only navigation tool available in Germany. HERE WeGo offers robust offline maps and real-time traffic updates. For people who value their privacy and / or prefer open-source solutions, OsmAnd and MapFactor Navigator both use data from OpenStreetMap, as well as community updates.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Time of India
‘Bikepacking helps you see the world around you differently'
Sudhanshu Verma Guillaume Lemaitre I met a bunch of cyclists and joined them. They would meet every morning and eventually, this experience empowered me to pick up cycling and go bikepacking ,' says Sudhanshu Verma, a wedding photographer and founder of a travel company. For many, bikepacking offers an escape from the digital world—a slow, physical antidote to the constant stream of emails and notifications. It allows you to observe the world in a new way and discover your inner self. Ahead of World Bicycle Day (June 3), we talk to bikepacking enthusiasts who are redefining adventure and human connection through their cycles. What is bikepacking? Bikepacking, a hybrid of mountain biking and minimalist backpacking, is rapidly growing into a global movement. Combining freedom, self-sufficiency, and a raw connection to nature, this form of cycling adventure has struck a chord with those looking to escape fast-paced urban lives and rediscover slow travel. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Killer New Dodge Ram 1500 Is Utter Perfection (Take A Look) MorninJoy Undo 'Bikepacking can be a life-changing experience' Bikepacking is now being embraced by those seeking a slower, more meaningful way to live. Sudhanshu says, 'My life changed when I rode from Jaipur to Kanyakumari. I believe everyone should experience this once. It heals you.' For Guillaume Lemaitre, a former COO at a fintech startup in Amsterdam, the journey began as an escape. 'When I was 13, I took part in cycling competitions in Belgium. I really loved it, but I was fed up with the competition part of cycling and corporate life,' he says. Guillaume has been bikepacking for nearly a year now, riding from Belgium to Australia to raise awareness about cystic fibrosis, a condition his sister suffers from. 'People in India are always ready to help and host you' Bikepacking doesn't have to be a solo sport. Dr Jinal Vora, who has been travelling with his wife (Vishva) and two-and-a-half-years-old daughter (Hasti), says, 'Bikepacking helps you find your inner self and lets you see the world around you differently. It has made our family's bond stronger because you spend long hours understanding each other in tough, demanding times.' Talking about how strangers help without any hesitation, he says, 'People have helped us a lot; they would even make food specially for us. People in India are ready to help and host you when needed.' Guillaume agrees, 'The generosity everywhere is just amazing. It surprises me all the time. I have eaten and slept at people's houses. I always found a shelter. In the west, we work for comfort. In India, people are happy with what they have. This journey has taught me to always stay humble.' Dr Jinal Vora and Vishwa Vora ' Route planning and preparation are vital' Route planning is vital while bikepacking. Sudhanshu, who relies on apps like Windy, OsmAnd and AccuWeather to track wind, rain, and terrain, says, 'I look for gradients, contour lines, and trails where villagers or trekkers are already active.' Guillaume's strategy is all about surviving. He shares, 'I always check for gas stations or eating spots. If they aren't there, I stock up on oats, instant noodles, and energy bars.' Some popular trails in Asia Manali to Leh Spiti Valley The Annapurna Circuit (Nepal) Tso Kar, Ladakh Chennai–Puducherry Essential gear for bikepacking Tubes & puncture patches Water bottle 2–3 pairs of clothes Shifter & brake cables Brake pads Chains Sleeping bag Small stove Dehydrated food First-aid kit Solar charger or power bank Written by: Yashaswi Kochar
Sunday World
06-05-2025
- Sunday World
Man who helped Brazilian cartel smuggle huge €21.6m cocaine shipment into Ireland jailed
LOCKED UP | Nikola Penchev (34) of Veliki, Preslav, Bulgaria, pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court Nikola Penchev Nikola Penchev (34) of Veliki, Preslav, Bulgaria, pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to possessing cocaine worth over €21.6million, for sale or supply, at Foynes Port, Co Limerick, on December 19, 2023. Penchev, a maritime engineer, was arrested after Revenue Customs officials and Gardai, acting on a tip-off that the drugs were on board the ship, the MV Verila, searched the vessel and found the cocaine haul tied together in several bales attached to a transmitter. The ship initially set sail from Hamilton, Canada, to Santos Brazil, before reverting to Hamilton and eventually onto Foynes in County Limerick. The Maltese vessel MV Verila Penchev, who joined the ship on its second voyage out of Hamilton had initially been unaware it was carrying cocaine. While on route to Foynes Port, Penchev was recruited by another of the ship's crew, his friend and fellow Bulgarian national, Kamen Petkov (37) to help him dump the cocaine in parcels at Glin, a few kilometers out from Foynes. Detective Garda Adrian Cahill, Limerick Garda Divisional Drugs Unit, gave evidence in court that unidentified parties used small boats to ferry the cocaine bales to Petkov at Santos Port while the rest of the ship's crew were asleep. Petkov, who was previously jailed for ten years after he also pleaded guilty to having the cocaine haul for sale or supply, was responsible for loading the drugs on board, tying the drug parcels together with life jackets and attaching a transmitter, and he kept in regular contact with the cartel via a satellite phone and a navigation app 'OsmAnd'. Petkov and Penchev ended up not dumping the drugs overboard at Glin as nobody appeared to be there to collect the packages when the ship arrived at the drop-off point. Drug detector dog Harley guards the 300kg illegal cocaine haul seized off a cargo ship at the Port of Foynes in Co Limerick (Pic: @gardainfo) Gardaí said Petkov told them that he was to be paid €150,000 for helping the gang, but he ended up not receiving any payment. Penchev told gardaí Petkov told him he would pay him €10,000 for helping him, but he too did not receive any of the money. Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley BL said Petkov told Penchev that if they lost the drugs, their lives would be under threat from 'dangerous people'. Kamen Petkov Penchev, who is married with two children, told gardai he only helped Petkov because he was 'afraid' of what the consequences would be for him and his family had he not helped. During the sailing, Penchev and Petkov took photos of the drug bales and sent the mobile phone snaps to the gang to prove the drugs were still on board the ship. Penchev's barrister told the court that he was not the instigator, that he was remorseful, and that he was a good, loving father and husband. Judge Daly said: 'Cocaine is a very serious and highly addictive drug, and the accused allowed himself to become involved in the international carrying of a serious amount of drugs.' The judge said he was satisfied that a headline prison sentence of 13 years was 'appropriate… this being a high-level commercial drug dealing operation'. Nikola Penchev News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, May 6th Judge Daly said Penchev's 'early guilty plea', and his 'cooperation' with the garda investigation allowed it 'to proceed with greater speed and efficiency' However the judge said that, because Penchev involved himself in 'trafficking such a large volume of drugs half way around the world, the principle of deterrence generally, prevents me considering sentencing below the presumptive minimum in the case, and so I reduce the sentence to one of ten years'. The sentence was backdated to December 24, 2023, when Penchev first entered into custody following his arrest. The court heard the garda investigation into the cocaine seizure remains 'ongoing'.
