In+ersec+ion for Spatial People

That's the name of a story discussed over Slashdot, Saudi Arabia Implements Electronic Tracking System For Women.

Their summary: "Denied the right to travel without consent from their male guardians and banned from driving, women in Saudi Arabia are now monitored by an electronic system that tracks any cross-border movements. Since last week, Saudi women's male guardians began receiving text messages on their phones informing them when women under their custody leave the country, even if they are travelling together. 'The authorities are using technology to monitor women,' said columnist Badriya al-Bishr, who criticised the 'state of slavery under which women are held' in the ultra-conservative kingdom. Women are not allowed to leave the kingdom without permission from their male guardian, who must give his consent by signing what is known as the 'yellow sheet' at the airport or border."

Blom CGR, the Italian subsidiary of Blom ASA, has partnered with the Saudi Arabian firm Unicom to secure a contract with the Development Commission of Medina (DCOM). The contract involves providing professional services for the production of base maps and 3D modelling of the city of Medina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Blom's advanced capture technologies will produce accurate and high resolution data; the deliverables consist of LiDAR, aerial photo and BlomOBLIQUE™. Blom's data will form a unique geospatial base in DCOMs sophisticated database sharing service, providing an encompassing solution.

"Blom is proud to have been awarded this first contract in conjunction with Unicom. The data we will make available for the Development Commission of Medina will provide a fantastic return on investment when used for Urban Planning." said Giovanni Banchini, Country Manager of Blom CGR

Blom's share of the contract is NOK 8 million. The contract will be completed within 4th quarter 2012.

A story discussed over Slashdot: Giant Archaeological Trove Found Via Google Earth.

Their summary: "Using detailed satellite imagery available through Google Earth, Australian researchers have discovered what may be tombs that are thousands of years old in remote stretches of Saudi Arabia (abstract). 'Kennedy scanned 1240 square kilometers in Saudi Arabia using Google Earth. From their birds-eye view he found 1977 potential archaeological sites, including 1082 "pendants" — ancient tear-drop shaped tombs made of stone. According to Kennedy, aerial photography of Saudi Arabia is not made available to most archaeologists, and it's difficult, if not impossible, to fly over the nation. "But, Google Earth can outflank them," he says. Kennedy confirmed that the sites were vestiges of an ancient life — rather than vegetation or shadow - by asking a friend in Saudi Arabia, who is not an archaeologist, to drive out to two of thesites and photograph them. By comparing the images with structures that Kennedy has seen in Jordan, he believes the sites may be up to 9000 years old, but ground verification is needed."