EU Pushes AI, Biotech, and Clean Energy to Boost Competitiveness The European Union (EU) plans to prioritise artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and affordable clean energy in a strategic push to enhance its global competitiveness. A draft European Commission paper, seen by Reuters, outlines steps to ensure the EU pushes AI and Biotech to remain an economic leader and keep pace with rivals like the US and China. Strategic Shift to Innovation and Decarbonisation The draft paper, known as the “Competitiveness Compass,” identifies 29 measures to be implemented over the next two years. These strategies aim to increase productivity through innovation…
Author: Aishwarya Parikh
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Federal Judge Pauses SpaceX Lawsuit Against DOJ Over Hiring Discrimination Claims A federal judge in Texas has temporarily halted SpaceX’s lawsuit against the US Department of Justice (DOJ). The lawsuit challenges the DOJ’s authority to pursue claims that SpaceX discriminated against asylum seekers and refugees in its hiring practices. Judge Grants DOJ’s Request for Stay US Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya approved the DOJ’s request on Friday to pause the lawsuit for 45 days. This move, filed on 19 January, suggests the DOJ may either settle the case or drop it entirely during this period. The lawsuit centres around allegations from…
Italy Explores Collaboration with Elon Musk’s Starlink for Secure Communications National space agency (ASI) of Italy stated that a potential deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink for encrypted satellite communications would not pose security risks. ASI President Teodoro Valente addressed concerns on Thursday, highlighting the advantages of such an agreement. Rome is considering Starlink’s advanced systems to support secure communications for government agencies, embassies, and defence officials in high-risk areas. However, opposition parties have questioned whether such sensitive communications should rely on a company owned by the US tech billionaire. Italy Addresses Security Concerns ASI’s President Valente reassured that partnering with…
Tanzania Confirms Marburg Virus Outbreak in Northwest President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan confirmed an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in the country’s northwest, with one case officially identified. The announcement came during a press conference in Dodoma, attended by World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. First Case Confirmed and Response Measures Laboratory tests conducted at Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later verified in Dar es Salaam identified a patient infected with the Marburg virus. This confirmation follows earlier denials from Tanzania’s health minister, who stated no positive cases despite reports of eight suspected deaths in…
Shenzhou-19 Crew Advances Space Survival Technology and Conducts Key Experiments The Shenzhou-19 crew aboard China’s space station has made significant progress in experiments on artificial photosynthesis technology. Using specialised sampling cans, the astronauts collected and stored reactant samples for further analysis back on Earth. This advanced technology mimics the natural photosynthesis process of green plants using physical and chemical methods. By utilising carbon dioxide from confined spaces or extraterrestrial atmospheres, it can produce oxygen and carbon-based fuels. This innovation is expected to play a vital role in supporting human survival and exploration in outer space. Microgravity Physics and Equipment Maintenance…
Global Moon Race Heats Up with Dual Lunar Lander Launch Two moon landers, one from Japan and another from US, Ispace and Firefly respectively, were mounted atop a SpaceX rocket in Florida on Tuesday. The Ispace and Firefly launch signifies a unique double moonshot, highlighting the international push to explore the lunar surface for scientific and commercial purposes. Ispace’s Second Moon Mission: Aiming for Redemption Japanese space exploration firm ispace is preparing to launch its Hakuto-R Mission 2. This marks its second attempt to land on the moon after a near-successful mission in April 2023 ended in failure due to…
India’s Pixxel to Launch Hyperspectral Satellites with SpaceX, Marking Industry Milestone Pixxel, an Indian space startup, is set to launch three of its six hyperspectral imaging satellites aboard a SpaceX rocket from California on Tuesday. This marks a major step for India’s private space sector. The satellites will be positioned in a sun-synchronous orbit at approximately 550 km altitude. The remaining three satellites are expected to launch later in the year, during the second quarter. A Milestone for India’s Private Space Industry The launch is scheduled to take place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base at 10:45 a.m. Pacific Time…
Blue Origin Postpones Debut Launch of New Glenn Rocket Jeff Bezos’ space company, Blue Origin, delayed the highly anticipated maiden launch of its New Glenn rocket on Monday. The decision was made to address a vehicle subsystem issue, as announced on the platform X. The company is now reviewing potential opportunities for the next launch attempt. Troubleshooting Delays Countdown The New Glenn rocket, standing an impressive 30 stories tall, was set for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Fueled with methane and liquid oxygen propellants, the launch was initially scheduled for 1:00 am ET (0600 GMT). However, the…
Meta Overhauls Content Moderation Policies Amid Political Shifts Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, announced a significant shift in its content moderation policies on Tuesday. The company is scrapping its US fact-checking program and loosening restrictions on controversial topics like immigration and gender identity. This change comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term, and Meta faces pressure from conservative voices. Key Changes in Moderation Strategy Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg described the overhaul as a return to the platform’s roots in free expression. The company will replace its fact-checking program with a “Community Notes”…
2024’s Climate Disasters: How Catastrophes Redefined Our World In 2024, our planet endured a series of climate catastrophes that reshaped lives, landscapes, and livelihoods. Every corner of the globe, big or small, experienced 2024’s climate disasters, underscoring the urgent need to address the escalating climate crisis. https://youtu.be/_Sr0y9L-px0?si=dFX6lrT8jlJL9UAU A Year of Unprecedented Disasters In Kerala’s Wayanad district, landslides devastated tea estates and villages, claiming over 200 lives in their sleep. Torrential rains triggered massive hillsides to collapse, sending torrents of mud, water, and boulders through communities. This was one of Kerala’s deadliest landslides, a grim reminder of the havoc extreme weather…
