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Wall Street Journal
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
The Coup Leader Who's Become an Anti-Western Hero in Africa and Beyond
Three years ago, Ibrahim Traoré was a junior army officer in Burkina Faso's armed forces. Today, he has emerged as a surprising anti-Western hero preaching self-reliance and resilience with fans across Africa and beyond. Since toppling the West African country's previous military leader in 2022 and making himself president, Traoré has won the kind of glowing admiration from people across the continent that has eluded African leaders since the days of antiapartheid icon Nelson Mandela and the generation that led the independence struggles.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Aqua Tower Water System Explained: Build Your Own Off-Grid Atmospheric Generator for DIY Water Independence (2025)
This 2025 resilience guide reveals how the Aqua Tower blueprints help individuals harvest water from air using a non-commercial, solar-adaptable atmospheric water generator — fully customizable for off-grid use, emergency prep, and sustainability living. Austin, June 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What Is the Aqua Tower System? Unlike its namesake, the Aqua Tower system we're discussing here is not a high-rise building. It's a unique DIY educational framework designed to help individuals construct their atmospheric water generator. In a world grappling with droughts, contamination fears, and reliance on aging infrastructure, the Aqua Tower system stands out as a solution that promotes decentralization, self-reliance, and climate resilience. Unlike commercial units that cost thousands of dollars, the Aqua Tower is a set of downloadable blueprints, visual guides, and instructional content. It allows everyday users to construct an off-grid, solar-compatible device that captures humidity from the air, condenses it, and stores it as usable water, all at a fraction of the cost of commercial units. By distinguishing itself from real estate projects and reframing the term "Aqua Tower" within the context of sustainability and preparedness, this system redefines what water autonomy can look like at the individual level. Disambiguation: Not a Condo — A Climate Solution It's worth repeating: the Aqua Tower system is not a residential high-rise, apartment complex, or luxury skyscraper. While the name "Aqua Tower" is also used by Studio Gang for its iconic 82-story mixed-use building in downtown Chicago—known for its undulating balconies, green roof, and vertical community concept—this Aqua Tower has no connection to the architecture or real estate of that building. Despite the confusion caused by the shared name, the Aqua Tower water system is not a real estate project. It's a comprehensive guide for building a personal atmospheric water generator designed to help individuals convert air moisture into clean drinking water. This guide is a valuable resource for those interested in climate resilience, emergency preparedness, and DIY water independence. Searchers looking for an "Aqua Tower water system" or "Aqua Tower off-grid water generator" are not seeking Chicago's skyline but a solution to water scarcity in their home, homestead, or preparedness plan. That's why this long-form guide exists: to clarify and elevate the water system concept in SEO while maintaining total separation from real estate branding. The Aqua Tower generator is not a building—it's a building. While the term "Aqua Tower" may evoke images of real estate listings or high-rise apartments in search results, this educational guide focuses entirely on water independence and environmental resilience. SEO noise around luxury housing has made it harder for legitimate innovations in atmospheric water generation to gain visibility. That's why this guide is framed as a hands-on, public knowledge solution for individuals—not corporations—looking to regain control of their most critical resources. The 2025 Water Crisis: Why DIY Atmospheric Water Is on the Rise In 2025, water scarcity isn't a looming threat — it's a present-day emergency. Lake Mead and Lake Powell continue to recede, aquifers are tapped to exhaustion, and more municipalities are issuing water restrictions. Climate scientists confirm that the U.S. is experiencing a megadrought, the worst in 1,200 years. With failing infrastructure and supply chain disruptions, even city dwellers are seeking ways to safeguard basic needs. Search trends reflect this shift. Google queries for terms like "DIY water generator," "atmospheric water from air," and "off-grid water solution" have more than doubled in the past two years. Citizens are no longer just filtering tap water — they're investigating how to generate it. Interest has expanded beyond prepper communities and into mainstream forums, where homeowners, apartment renters, and even teachers are exploring home-based water harvesting solutions. Within this context, the Aqua Tower guide has gained traction as one of the most accessible, modular, and replicable methods for reclaiming control over water sourcing. It addresses the growing demand for household-level solutions in an era when utilities can no longer be taken for granted. Unlike product-driven solutions, the Aqua Tower focuses on empowerment and resilience, instilling a sense of empowerment and resilience in its users. How the Aqua Tower Works: A Simplicity-First Design The Aqua Tower operates using the basic principle of condensation. By cooling humid air below its dew point, it extracts water vapor and collects it in a storage reservoir. Think of it as the DIY cousin to expensive military-grade air-to-water machines built with affordable, retail-available parts. The instructional materials walk users through a simple architecture: Condensation Unit: Mimics HVAC technology to extract moisture. Collection Basin: Channels water safely into storage. Filtration Stage: Offers flexible options for standard water safety measures (charcoal filters, UV light, etc.). Solar Integration: Optional add-on for users seeking full off-grid capability. This system doesn't rely on proprietary hardware or expensive gadgets. Instead, it's intentionally open-source and adaptable, encouraging users to innovate based on available materials and regional humidity levels. Users can also scale the system to meet their needs, with some creating compact models for apartments and others building full-sized harvesting towers for small homesteads, showcasing the system's adaptability and resourcefulness. Key Features of the Aqua Tower System Modular Design: Built-in layers — users can upgrade over time. Affordability: The total estimated build cost is often under $200. Energy Flexibility: Compatible with both standard outlets and solar panels. Accessibility: Requires no engineering experience; built for laypeople. Transparency: No subscription fees, locked-in filters, or branded parts. Adaptability: Works with locally available materials and variable climate conditions. Skill Building: Encourages users to develop knowledge in physics, airflow, water safety, and sustainable engineering. In addition, the blueprint is designed to accommodate variable climate conditions. While water output will differ based on ambient humidity, even semi-arid zones can yield usable volumes of water, especially overnight, when relative humidity increases. The guide includes charts and data tables to help users estimate water production based on geographic regions and seasonal weather patterns. Who Should Use the Aqua Tower System and Why The Aqua Tower water system appeals to a broad spectrum of users. While it originated from off-grid survivalist thinking, its application has expanded into mainstream households, educational environments, and urban settings. Whether someone is preparing for long-term resilience or exploring sustainable solutions, Aqua Tower meets people where they are. Off-Grid Enthusiasts and Homesteaders: For those living in areas without municipal water infrastructure, Aqua Tower offers a scalable method of water generation that doesn't rely on wells or rain collection. Urban Renters and Apartment Dwellers: Even individuals in multi-unit buildings can use modified, compact versions of the system for balcony or rooftop water harvesting. RV Travelers and Van Lifers: With portable solar power and a sealed reservoir, this water system serves as a practical mobile hydration option. Science Educators and Students: Teachers in STEM programs use Aqua Tower to illustrate environmental science, thermodynamics, and sustainable engineering in action. Emergency Planners: Households preparing for natural disasters, power outages, or water shortages can add Aqua Tower to their readiness plans. In short, anyone who values self-reliance, resource innovation, or independence from clean water sources is a candidate for this system. Who's Using Aqua Tower: Real-World Use Cases Off-Grid Homesteaders: Families in remote areas without access to well drilling or piped utilities are adapting Aqua Tower to generate essential daily water. Urban Preppers: City-based individuals are customizing small units to operate discreetly on fire escapes, rooftops, and even near windows with high indoor humidity. Science Classrooms: Schools from elementary to college level are integrating Aqua Tower into lesson plans focused on climate, conservation, and applied physics. Online Communities: The system is regularly discussed in prepping forums, YouTube build walkthroughs, and Reddit DIY engineering threads. These use cases demonstrate that the system is not only flexible but has also been widely adopted by a diverse group of users with varied lifestyles and needs. Limitations and Honest Expectations Transparency is one of the pillars of the Aqua Tower mission. While the system offers a unique path to water resilience, it is not a one-size-fits-all miracle device. It's essential to understand what it can and cannot do: Humidity Dependence: Atmospheric water generation requires a certain threshold of moisture in the air. In desert environments or at high elevations, water yield may be minimal. The guide includes climate charts and workarounds, but physical limits still apply. Not a Medical Device: Aqua Tower is not a certified purifier. It's a guide to building a harvesting system. Users are responsible for implementing additional safety and filtration layers tailored to their specific water needs and local environmental contaminants. Learning Curve: Although the instructions are beginner-friendly, users should expect to spend a few hours researching, sourcing parts, assembling, and testing their system. Yield Variability: A basic Aqua Tower setup may produce anywhere from half a gallon to five gallons per day, depending on local humidity, airflow, and filtration. This realism helps build trust and attracts responsible users seeking functional tools—not hype or magical solutions. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Q: Is Aqua Tower a product I can buy ready-made? A: No. Aqua Tower is not a manufactured appliance. It is a DIY educational blueprint and instructional resource designed to help you build a system independently. Q: How much water can it actually generate per day? A: Output depends on your local climate. In regions with 50–70% humidity, users have reported yields of 1–5 gallons per day. At night, even arid areas often reach dew point levels that boost collection. Q: Can it replace my entire household water system? A: It's best used to supplement emergency or essential hydration needs. While scaling is possible, Aqua Tower is ideal for drinking, cooking, and storage—not high-volume uses like bathing or laundry. Q: Can I use solar to power it? A: Yes. The guide includes options and configurations for solar integration, allowing users to keep their system running even when the grid goes down. Q: What tools do I need to build it? A: Most setups require a small drill, screwdriver, sealant, and basic airflow components. The guide provides a detailed checklist with sourcing options. Q: How do I filter the water? A: The guide includes several modular options for purification, including carbon filtration, ceramic filters, and UV light setups. You can choose based on your comfort level and local water safety data. Q: Can I run it indoors? A: Technically, yes, but optimal performance occurs in ventilated, outdoor, or semi-exposed environments where humidity is higher and airflow is steady. Final Thoughts: Water Freedom Begins Here The Aqua Tower system is not a consumer gadget—it's an open-source toolset for a more resilient future. It represents a philosophical shift in how people think about water: not as a commodity to be bought or piped in, but as a renewable resource that anyone can access with the right tools and knowledge. In a world of increasing scarcity and declining trust in centralized systems, atmospheric water generation is no longer a niche solution; it has become a vital option. It's the front line of survival literacy. And Aqua Tower is helping to lead that shift—not by selling hardware, but by offering transparency, accessibility, and empowerment. Whether you're preparing for emergencies, experimenting with off-grid living, or simply interested in controlling where your drinking water comes from, Aqua Tower provides you with the blueprints, flexibility, and education to make it a reality. Contact Information Aqua Tower Email: info@ Website: CONTACT: Aqua Tower Email: info@ Website: in to access your portfolio
Phone Arena
19-06-2025
- Phone Arena
Exynos 2600 may debut another in-house Samsung replacement
Samsung has been making moves to become more self-reliant for quite a while, especially focusing on its in-house processors like the upcoming Exynos 2600. A recent rumor corroborates an older report that Samsung is apparently also looking to introduce an in-house GPU on its Exynos 2600 chipset. Last year, it was reported that the Exynos 2600 would have an in-house Samsung GPU. A new leak ( translated source ) gives further credence to this claim. If true, it could be a contentious shift on Samsung's part, as many tech enthusiasts still prefer Snapdragon chips over Exynos. Another in-house Samsung component will be subject to bias, regardless of whether it is warranted or not. Nevertheless, this is just part of Samsung and Apple becoming more self-reliant to decrease costs. The iPhone 16e debuted with Apple's in-house C1 cellular modem, and the Galaxy S26 may come with Samsung's own GPU if the Exynos 2600 is ready on time. Samsung was unable to prepare the Exynos 2500 for the launch of the Galaxy S25 line, and is determined to not repeat that mistake. The entire Samsung Galaxy S25 series uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. | Image credit — Samsung The Exynos 2600 will be manufactured using Samsung Foundry's 2 nm process. Exynos processors have historically lagged behind their Snapdragon counterparts, both in performance and heat management. However, I'm still hopeful that Samsung can perfect Exynos and achieve some semblance of what the Mac did with Apple silicon: an unprecedented performance jump. If the Exynos 2600 debuts in the Galaxy S26 , then Samsung will have beat Apple to a 2 nm chip. The iPhone 18 will use the 3 nm A19 chips manufactured by TSMC ( Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company ). However, if the Exynos 2600 isn't ready on time, then Samsung will likely use the more expensive 3 nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2. A former Huawei GPU lead is reportedly working with Samsung to design its in-house GPU for the Exynos 2600. Prior to this, Exynos chips have used GPUs designed after AMD's architecture. As this will be a first-generation design, it may not be as powerful as the competition, but I don't think it should take Samsung too long to improve upon this. Lastly, some consumers may not even get to use Samsung's in-house GPU on their Galaxy S26 . Reports indicate that the company is moving back to separate variants for different regions. So, while some countries will get the Exynos 2600, others may still get a Snapdragon phone instead. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Africa's youngest leader, a friend of Russia, is celebrated by some and criticized by others
As news emerged this week about hundreds of Burkina Faso citizens killed separately by both jihadi groups and government forces, images of Burkina Faso's junta leader Capt. Ibrahim Traore were plastered over Russian state media speaking about pan-Africanism and liberating the minds of the continent's youths. Traore, who was in Moscow for the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, is Africa's youngest leader at 37, a strong appeal for the continent's young population that is used to much older leaders. Since coming to power in September 2022 after the country's second coup that year, he has dwelt on a rhetoric of self-reliance and independence from the West, particularly former colonial ruler France — a message that often resonates with young Africans and the diaspora. Why is Traore trending The latest Traore frenzy reached a new peak late April with a solidarity march in the country's capital, Ouagadougou, following an alleged coup attempt and comments by Gen. Michael Langley, the head of U.S. military in Africa, accusing the Burkina Faso leader of misusing the country's gold reserves. Following the 2022 coup that brought him to power, Traore promised to end the country's decadeslong deadly security crisis and leverage its rich mineral resources for the benefit of its 24 million citizens. Alongside the coup-hit nations of Niger and Mali, Burkina Faso has since severed ties with the regional bloc of ECOWAS — criticized by many young Africans as representing the interest of leaders and not the citizens — as well as longstanding Western allies such as France, whose military provided security support to the government for many years to help its security crisis. Analysts and locals suggest that these factors, combined with his youth, have contributed to Traore's appeal among young Africans. 'There is a growing consciousness among African youth at home and abroad that they need to do something about the continent's lack of progress,' said Richard Alandu, a Ghanaian living near the border with Burkina Faso. 'It appears Traore has become the face of that consciousness.' How has Traore fared as Burkina Faso's junta leader The security crisis that Traore vowed to resolve has worsened instead, slowing the country's overall economic development and preventing most citizens from benefiting from its mineral wealth, according to analysts and researchers' data. 'There has been no real progress on the ground' in Burkina Faso, said Gbara Awanen, a professor of international relations and security studies at Nigeria's Baze University, who specializes in West Africa. 'A lot of it is just sleek propaganda." Data from the U.S.-based Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, or ACLED, shows that while 2,894 people were killed by both government and armed groups during the year before the 2022 coup, the number has more than doubled to at least 7,200 in the last year. Analysts say the attacks have worsened to the point that Ouagadougou is now increasingly threatened, with more than 60% of the country outside of government control. At least 2.1 million people have lost their homes as a result of the violence, and almost 6.5 million need humanitarian aid to survive, conservative estimates show. Propaganda rhythms Babacar Ndiaye, a senior fellow at the Senegal-based Timbuktu Institute for Peace Studies, attributes the current frenzy surrounding Traore primarily to his popularity — and Russia-driven propaganda Despite Burkina Faso's worsening security crisis, Traore still has 'so much resonance and interest simply because of propaganda,' Ndiaye said. 'In Africa, there is deep frustration with the traditional leadership, so there is polarized anger towards a scapegoat that is the west.' West Africa, meanwhile, has a history of young men seizing power as exemplified by John Jerry Rawlings in Ghana, Samuel Doe in Liberia and Thomas Sankara in Burkina Faso, all in the 1980s. That history, placed against the perceived failure of Western-style democracy in Africa, has helped to create conditions for idolizing the likes of Traore. Still, allegations of propaganda do not adequately explain the excitement that has built up around Africa's youngest ruler, according to Chidi Odinkalu, an Africa analyst and professor at Tufts University. 'Traore articulates a revolutionary message that is appealing to a young population frustrated by the thievery of what passes for 'democracy' in their own countries,' said Odinkalu. ____
