Seaweed Farming in Kenya: A Growing Lifeline for Coastal Communities In the coastal village of Mwazaro, Kenya, farmers have turned to seaweed cultivation as a sustainable alternative to traditional crops like cassava and maize. Years of drought, higher temperatures, and rising sea levels have made farming on land increasingly difficult, prompting this shift to ocean-based agriculture. The success of seaweed farming is transforming lives, offering both economic opportunities and community development. Expanding Seaweed Farming in Kenya First introduced in Kenya in 2008, seaweed farming has expanded to 20 coastal villages, according to David Mirera from the Kenya Marine and Fisheries…
Author: Aditya Lenka
UN Climate Summit in Baku: Climate Finance, Fossil Fuel Transition, and Renewable Energy in Focus The UN climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, often referred to as the “climate finance COP,” will tackle more than just financial commitments. Delegates from across the globe are expected to address critical issues like transitioning away from fossil fuels and boosting renewable energy use. This year’s talks come amid rising global fossil fuel consumption and a continued expansion of oil and gas projects. Fossil Fuel Transition Remains a Challenge At last year’s COP28 summit in Dubai, countries reached a historic agreement to start transitioning away…
Meta Faces US Trial Over FTC’s Antitrust Claims Meta faces trial in the US over a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit aimed at breaking up the social media giant. The FTC argues that Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp were part of a strategy to stifle competition. A Washington judge denied Meta’s attempt to dismiss most of the case, pushing forward one of several significant antitrust cases against major tech firms. Judge Upholds Key FTC Claims Against Meta US District Judge James Boasberg allowed the FTC’s main claim to proceed, asserting that Meta, previously Facebook, illegally maintained its monopoly by…
China’s Airshow Highlights Aerospace Technology’s Role in Daily Life and Future Exploration The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, known as Airshow China, kicked off in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, showcasing groundbreaking aerospace innovations and their applications in everyday life. This year’s exhibition is underscored by agreements between major aerospace companies and public welfare projects, highlighting aerospace technology’s increasing relevance beyond space exploration. Expanding Aerospace Agreements: Focus on Public Welfare and Emerging Industries China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) hosted a signing ceremony for agreements on projects spanning meteorological, marine, and communication satellites, as well as rocket launch services…
India’s Defence Space Agency Launches ‘Antariksha Abhyas – 2024’ to Tackle Space Security Threats The Defence Space Agency (DSA), under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, has initiated Antariksha Abhyas – 2024, a three-day exercise focused on assessing and countering the growing threats to space-based assets and services. Running from 11 to 13 November 2024, this exercise marks a milestone as India’s first-ever war-game dedicated to space security. Its main objective is to bolster national strategic goals in space and to integrate space capabilities into India’s military operations. Growing Importance of Space in National Defence Chief of Defence Staff General Anil…
Indonesia to Invite Global Investment for 75 GW Renewable Energy Projects Indonesia has announced plans to invite international investors to build 75 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity within the next 15 years, as shared by Indonesia’s climate envoy at the COP29 summit. This ambitious plan marks a significant commitment from newly appointed President Prabowo Subianto, according to Hashim Djojohadikusumo, his brother and Indonesia’s climate envoy at the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Indonesia’s Commitment to Carbon Neutrality Indonesia, one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. A…
SpaceX Successfully Launches New Starlink Satellites SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, launched a fresh set of Starlink satellites into space on Friday, 8 November. The launch took place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, with SpaceX’s reliable Falcon 9 rocket carrying 20 Starlink satellites into orbit. Expanding the Starlink Satellite Network SpaceX’s Starlink constellation has grown rapidly, now comprising around 6,300 of the approximately 10,300 active satellites currently in orbit. Starlink aims to provide global internet coverage, particularly in remote areas where traditional service is limited. This latest batch further strengthens SpaceX’s position in satellite internet services. Return…
New Evidence Suggests Ancient Ocean Once Covered Mars China’s Zhurong rover has helped scientists uncover new evidence of a vast ancient ocean on Mars. Billions of years ago, this now barren and dry planet may have had a landscape rich with water, according to recent findings from the rover’s exploration. Discovering Signs of a Martian Coastline The Zhurong rover, part of China’s Tianwen-1 mission, landed in Mars’ northern lowlands in 2021. Data collected by Zhurong, alongside NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, reveal geological features that resemble a coastline. Zhurong has been studying rocks in Utopia Planitia, a large plain in the…
US Military Conducts Test Launch of Minuteman III Missile The US military released a video showing the test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), carried out as part of a standard operational test. The launch took place at 11:01 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, November 5, at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, according to the military. Key Role of the Minuteman III in US Defence The Minuteman III missile, developed by Boeing Co., forms a critical part of the US military’s strategic defence capabilities. As a nuclear-capable ICBM, the missile has an impressive range exceeding…
Exploring Partnerships with India’s Space Sector US-based startup Axiom Space is exploring the possibility of using Indian launch vehicles for its private space station missions. A senior executive at Axiom revealed ongoing discussions with India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), as well as private Indian launch companies. The talks aim to determine the best partnerships for supporting Axiom’s missions and diversifying its supply chain. Pearly Pandya, Axiom’s director of international government business, stated that no contracts have been signed yet. However, Axiom is considering using Indian vehicles to transport materials necessary for building its private space station,…