A Bellingcat investigation has pinpointed the location of a mass killing outside Al Fashir, Darfur, where over 80 people were killed by RSF fighters during the recent conflict, with evidence suggesting systematic and unlawful violence, including videos and satellite imagery confirming the scene and the involvement of RSF commanders. The incident highlights ongoing atrocities and lack of accountability in the region.
A group of tech-savvy individuals in India hacked their AirPods Pro 2 to enable Apple's hearing aid features, which are not officially available in the country due to geolocation restrictions. They used a Faraday cage to block signals and trick the device into thinking it was in a supported region. This workaround has garnered interest from others facing similar restrictions, highlighting the potential for bypassing tech limitations imposed by companies like Apple.
A drone attack targeted a decommissioned military helicopter near Tiraspol, Transnistria, with footage geolocated to the Tiraspol airport. The helicopter, unused for over 20 years, was likely targeted by a nearby operator, sparking insinuations of Ukrainian involvement.
Bellingcat has geolocated footage showing the fatal shooting of 12-year-old Rami Hamdan Al-Halhouli in Shuafat Refugee Camp in East Jerusalem. The footage captures Rami lighting a firework and moving towards the Separation Barrier before falling to the ground after a shot is heard. Audio analysis suggests the bullet was fired before the firework was launched. Israeli police have initiated an investigation into the incident, while Israel’s National Security Minister has voiced support for the police officer involved. Rami’s family claims the bullet hit him in the heart, and his body has not yet been released to the family.
A student project called PIGEON has demonstrated the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in accurately geolocating photos, raising concerns among privacy experts. The project, developed by Stanford graduate students, used an AI algorithm to identify locations on Google Street View and was able to make accurate guesses about the locations of personal photos it had never seen before. While this technology has potential beneficial applications, such as identifying old snapshots or conducting surveys, experts worry about its potential misuse for government surveillance, corporate tracking, or stalking. The project highlights the growing power of AI in geolocation and raises concerns about privacy and the need for awareness when sharing photos online.
Tensions have escalated between Guyana and Venezuela over the disputed Essequibo region, with both countries raising flags in different locations. Guyana's President Irfaan Ali shared a video of a flag-raising ceremony near the border with Venezuela, while Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez posted a video showing Indigenous people lowering a Guyanese flag and hoisting a Venezuelan flag in a different location near the Brazilian border. Geolocation analysis by Bellingcat confirmed that the videos were filmed in separate areas, debunking claims that they showed the same location. The flag controversy highlights the ongoing territorial dispute between the two countries.
Ukrainian marines hacked a Russian drone's video feed, geolocated its base, and then shelled it in Kherson. The incident took place near Krynky, where Ukrainian forces have established a bridgehead using drones and electronic warfare. Developing electronic warfare has been a key priority for Ukraine in the drone war, which has increasingly been dominated by first-person-view (FPV) drones.
Ukrainian forces hacked a Russian FPV drone's video feed, geolocated the footage, and then shelled the Russian drone base in Kherson. The incident took place near Krynky, where Ukrainian marines have established a bridgehead. Drones and electronic warfare have played a crucial role in Ukraine's control of the skies in the conflict, with electronic warfare being seen as key to victory in the drone war dominated by FPV drones.
Israeli troops and tanks have launched a major ground assault into Gaza, described by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the "second phase" of the war against Hamas. The incursion has been accompanied by a communications blackout in Gaza, but videos, photos, and satellite images have provided some insight into the operation. Visual evidence suggests Israeli troops have advanced into Gaza, including occupying a beach hotel and entering along the northern border. A video also shows an Israeli tank firing on a civilian car on a main highway, resulting in three fatalities.
The NFL is investigating a second wave of potential violations of its gambling policy, which prohibits players from placing bets from team facilities or while traveling with the team. The league is adapting to the rise of legal sports gambling by using geolocation to identify bets placed from prohibited jurisdictions and developing platforms that can track bets placed by players and coaches. At least seven NFL players, one assistant coach, and an unknown number of team employees have violated the league's gambling policy in the last five years, but the NFL has found no evidence of game manipulation.
The NFL is investigating a second wave of potential violations of its gambling policy, which prohibits players from placing bets from team facilities or while traveling with the team. The league is partnering with third parties to use geolocation to identify bets placed from prohibited jurisdictions and developing platforms to track bets placed by players and coaches. Five players were suspended last month for gambling violations, and at least seven NFL players, one assistant coach, and an unknown number of team employees have violated the league's gambling policy in the last five years.
