Africa’s Growing Climate Burden and Rising Adaptation Costs Africa faces rising climate challenges, with disproportionately high costs for essential climate adaptation, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Economic Impact of Climate Change On average, African countries are losing 2–5 percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually due to climate-related challenges. Many nations are diverting up to 9 percent of their budgets to address climate extremes. In sub-Saharan Africa, the cost of climate adaptation is projected to range between US$ 30-50 billion annually over the next decade, accounting for 2-3 percent of the region’s GDP,…
Author: Arushi Pandey
SpaceX Falcon 9 Cleared for Return to Flight Despite Investigation The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Friday that the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket may resume flight operations. This decision comes even as the investigation into the recent anomaly during a Starlink mission remains ongoing. FAA Approval for Falcon 9 Flights SpaceX had requested approval to return the Falcon 9 to flight on Thursday, and the FAA granted this approval the following day. The agency stated that flights could continue as long as all other licensing requirements are met. Details of the Recent Anomaly The grounding of the Falcon…
China’s Data Industry Set for Over 20% Annual Growth, Says NDA Official China’s Rapidly Expanding Data Industry China’s data industry is on the verge of significant expansion, with an annual growth rate expected to exceed 20% in the coming years. This forecast was shared by Chen Ronghui, Deputy Director of the National Data Administration (NDA), during an event titled ‘Activating the Potential of Data Elements and Unlocking New Quality Productivity.’ The event was held alongside the China International Big Data Industry Expo 2024 in Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou Province. https://youtube.com/shorts/6dEVPjcY77o Remarkable Growth in Data Production China’s data production…
Boom Supersonic: Bringing Back Faster-Than-Sound Air Travel The Return of Supersonic Flights Aerospace startup Boom Supersonic is on a mission to revive supersonic commercial air travel by the end of this decade. Their ambitious project, the Overture supersonic airliner, aims to revolutionise the way we travel by drastically reducing flight times. To pave the way for this groundbreaking airliner, Boom has developed a 1/3 scale prototype known as XB-1, which has already completed two successful test flights at their facility in California’s Mojave Desert. The company plans to achieve its first supersonic flight with XB-1 by the end of the…
Maasai Protest Evictions Amidst Controversial Conservation Efforts Thousands of Maasai Face Eviction in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater In Tanzania, the usually serene green hills surrounding the Ngorongoro Crater have turned into a site of protest. Tens of thousands of Maasai herdsmen, dressed in their iconic blood-red shuka cloths, have been demonstrating against their forced eviction from ancestral lands in the name of conservation. This is not the first time the Maasai have faced such displacement. Historically, they were removed from the Serengeti in the 1950s when it was designated a national park by the British colonial government. Now, the Tanzanian government…
BYD Narrowing Down Finalists for New Manufacturing Plant Location in Mexico Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD has shortlisted three Mexican states as potential locations for its new manufacturing plant, according to the company’s Mexico director general, Jorge Vallejo. The firm is currently evaluating various incentives proposed by these states, which include fiscal benefits, land offers, and management incentives. Key Factors in Site Selection Vallejo highlighted that selecting a plant location involves more than just securing space. The company is considering logistical aspects, urban infrastructure, water and gas supply, and overall development. These elements are crucial for establishing a functional…
Illuminating the Moon: New Solar-Powered Towers Could Light Up Lunar Nights The Moon could soon become the first extraterrestrial construction zone for humanity, with ambitious plans for permanent settlements, levitating train systems, and innovative nuclear reactors. However, before these developments can take place, the Moon needs a reliable light source. The Challenge of Lunar Nights One day on the Moon lasts the equivalent of two Earth weeks, and the freezing lunar nights are equally long. These extended periods of darkness have already caused problems for lunar landers that depend on sunlight for power. As humans prepare to explore the Moon…
European Scientists Attempt First-Ever Double Slingshot Maneuver to Propel JUICE Probe Towards Jupiter European scientists are preparing for a groundbreaking mission, aiming to perform a first-of-its-kind double slingshot manoeuvre using the Moon and Earth to guide the JUICE probe towards Jupiter. This crucial step in orbital navigation could determine the success of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ambitious eight-year journey to the gas giant and its icy moons. The Double Slingshot: A Risky but Crucial Move The European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) probe, launched just over a year ago, is on its way back towards Earth. The…
NASA Updates on Boeing Crew Flight Test and Astronaut Safety NASA’s human spaceflight management team provided an update on 14 August regarding the ongoing Boeing Crew Flight Test at the International Space Station (ISS). Key members of the NASA team, including Ken Bowersox, the Associate Administrator for Space Operations, discussed the crucial role safety plays in all aspects of NASA’s missions, emphasising that it remains a core value guiding decision-making processes. Evaluating the Crew Flight Test The update highlighted various aspects of the Boeing Crew Flight Test as NASA and Boeing continue to assess the data from the recent Starliner…
Google Unveils New Pixel Smartphones with Enhanced AI Features On Tuesday, 13 August, Alphabet’s Google introduced a new lineup of Pixel smartphones, integrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology into its hardware. This launch represents a strategic move by Google to embed AI deeper into its devices, enhancing user experience and keeping pace with rapid developments in the tech industry. AI-Powered Features in the Latest Pixel Smartphones The event, held at Alphabet’s Bay View campus in Mountain View, California, marked a departure from Google’s usual tradition of unveiling new Pixel models in the autumn. The highlight of the announcement was the…
