At the invitation of Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, paid a State Visit to India on 21-22 June 2024. The two leaders discussed the enduring India-Bangladesh partnership, which has deepened over the past decade. This relationship is rooted in historical, linguistic, cultural, and economic connections. Inspired by shared sacrifices in 1971 and guided by new aspirations, the partnership now transcends a strategic alliance, built on shared values, equality, trust, and mutual sensitivity. A Shared Vision for the Future To maximise the potential of their extraordinary relationship, the leaders outlined a…
Author: Kanika Sharma
Comcast Partners with SpaceX’s Starlink for Enhanced Enterprise Connectivity Groundbreaking Collaboration Comcast’s enterprise services unit has signed an innovative agreement with SpaceX’s Starlink. This partnership aims to provide satellite-based connectivity to business customers in areas with limited network access. Comcast, a leading global media and technology firm, announced this significant deal on Friday. Importance of the Deal This deal is unique as it marks the first collaboration between a network operator and a satellite network to deliver space-based connectivity to enterprise customers. The partnership highlights Starlink’s leadership in satellite-based communication networks. Starlink remains ahead of competitors such as Amazon’s Kuiper…
EU Approves €3 Billion German State Aid for Hydrogen Pipeline Network The EU approves approximately €3 billion ($3.2 billion) in German state aid to support the development of a hydrogen pipeline network, known as the Hydrogen Core Network (HCN). Financial Support for Hydrogen Infrastructure Berlin plans to provide financial guarantees to companies building and operating the €20 billion network. These guarantees will help the companies secure more favourable loans to cover initial losses during the ramp-up phase from 2025. The Commission stated that promoting hydrogen uptake outweighs any potential distortion to EU competition and trade from the scheme. Germany’s ruling…
China Warns of ‘Trade War’ Over EU Tariffs on Electric Vehicles China’s commerce ministry warned on Friday that the European Union could trigger a ‘trade war’ if it continues to escalate tensions. The warning follows the EU’s decision to impose tariffs of up to 38.1% on Chinese electric vehicle (EV) imports, a move that has significantly strained trade relations. EU Tariffs and China’s Response Last week, the European Commission proposed these tariffs despite Beijing’s protests, heightening the risk of retaliatory action from China. A statement from the commerce ministry, published shortly before German Economy Minister Robert Habeck’s visit to Beijing,…
Lockheed Martin to Build GeoXO Satellites for NOAA NASA has selected Lockheed Martin Corp. of Littleton, Colorado, to build the spacecraft for NOAA’s Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite program. This significant contract, valued at approximately $2.27 billion, will see the development of three primary spacecraft, with options for four additional ones. Contract Details and Responsibilities This cost-plus-award-fee contract includes support for 10 years of on-orbit operations and five years of on-orbit storage, totalling 15 years for each spacecraft. The work will be conducted at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Littleton and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The contract covers tasks…
Scientists Witness Supermassive Black Hole Awakening in Distant Galaxy Milky Way’s Quiet Giant At the core of our Milky Way galaxy lies Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), a supermassive black hole with a mass four million times that of our sun. Often described as a “gentle giant” due to its current quiescent state, Sgr A* might one day become highly active. First Real-Time Observation of Black Hole Awakening Researchers have recently observed, in real time, a dramatic brightening at the centre of another galaxy. This event is likely caused by a supermassive black hole awakening from dormancy and beginning to consume…
NATO Innovation Fund Awards First Round of Funding A consortium of NATO allies has confirmed the first group of companies to receive funding from the alliance’s one billion euro ($1.1 billion) innovation fund. Launch and Purpose of the Fund NATO launched this fund in the summer of 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The fund aims to invest in technologies that will strengthen NATO’s defence capabilities. The fund is supported by 24 out of NATO’s 32 member states, including recent members Finland and Sweden. Initial Investments On Tuesday, the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) announced its first investments in…
NASA Launches New System to Aid Global Disaster Response Widespread Flooding in Brazil In early May, the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul experienced severe flooding and landslides, leaving thousands without food, water, or electricity. In response, NASA provided crucial data and imagery to assist on-the-ground responders in assessing the disaster’s impacts and deploying aid effectively. New Disaster Response System Building on past successes, NASA announced a new Disaster Response Coordination System on June 13. This system is designed to support disaster response organisations in the U.S. and globally, providing up-to-date information on various extreme events, including fires, earthquakes,…
SpaceX and Elon Musk Sued by Engineers Over Alleged Harassment and Retaliation Lawsuit Filed by Eight Engineers On Wednesday, eight engineers filed a lawsuit against SpaceX and its CEO, Elon Musk, alleging illegal termination after raising concerns about sexual harassment and discrimination against women at the company. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles state court, includes four women and four men among the plaintiffs. Allegations of a Toxic Workplace Culture The engineers claim they were fired in 2022 after circulating a letter that criticised Musk’s behaviour, calling him a “distraction and embarrassment” and urging SpaceX executives to denounce his sexually…
NASA’s Simulation Broadcast Confusion On Wednesday, NASA mistakenly broadcasted a simulation of astronauts receiving treatment for decompression sickness on the International Space Station (ISS). This led to widespread speculation about a real emergency on social media. Broadcast Incident At about 5:28 p.m. U.S. Central Time (2228 GMT), NASA’s live YouTube channel aired audio suggesting that a crew member was experiencing decompression sickness (DCS). A female voice in the recording was heard instructing crew members to “get commander back in his suit,” check his pulse, and provide oxygen, describing the situation as “tenuous.” However, NASA has not confirmed the authenticity of…
