Author: Resham Bhambani

South Korea Urges Automakers to Disclose EV Battery Details Amid Fire Safety Concerns South Korea is set to urge automakers operating in the country to identify the batteries used in their electric vehicles (EVs). This move comes as authorities aim to address growing public safety concerns following a series of fires involving EVs. The government’s decision follows an incident on 1 August, where a fire broke out in an underground parking lot in Incheon, a city west of Seoul. The blaze, which started in a Mercedes-Benz EV equipped with Farasis Energy batteries, caused extensive damage, destroying or damaging around 140…

China’s Ride-Hailing Drivers Face Uncertain Future as Robotaxis Proliferate In Wuhan, Liu Yi, a 36-year-old resident, has been working part-time as a ride-hailing driver after construction work slowed down due to a glut of unsold apartments across China. However, Liu now fears another crisis looms as driverless taxis, or robotaxis, gain popularity in his city. The Rise of Robotaxis in China China is rapidly advancing in the field of autonomous vehicles, with robotaxis becoming more common on the streets. Liu, along with other ride-hailing drivers, is concerned about the impact of this technology on their livelihoods. “Everyone will go hungry,”…

China Advances in Civilian Drone Technology with Largest Unmanned Cargo Aircraft China, the world’s leading drone manufacturer, has achieved a significant milestone with the successful flight of China’s largest civilian cargo drone designed for civilian use. This marks a major step forward in the nation’s push to expand the use of autonomous aerial vehicles (UAVs) across various sectors, from deliveries to passenger transport. Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Takes Flight The twin-engine drone, capable of carrying a payload of 2 metric tons, took to the skies on Sunday for its maiden flight in Sichuan province, according to state media reports. Developed by…

Space-Grown Seeds: China’s Idesia Polycarpa Plants Thrive in Yunnan China’s first batch of Idesia polycarpa tree seeds, sent into space by the Shenzhou-16 manned spacecraft, have successfully sprouted and begun their growth in Yunnan Province, southwest China. This achievement marks a significant milestone in China’s ongoing efforts to enhance agricultural and forestry practices through space breeding. From Space to Earth: The Journey of Idesia Polycarpa Seeds The seeds were launched into space in 2023 and returned to Earth after their journey. They were then transported to a space breeding demonstration site in Xuanwei City, Yunnan, which was established in April…

China Launches First Batch of Satellites to Rival SpaceX’s Starlink A Chinese state-owned enterprise launched the first batch of satellites for a megaconstellation on Monday, aiming to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink network. This move is a significant step for China to create its version of the near-global internet network, currently dominated by Starlink. The state-backed newspaper reported this development. China’s Strategic Ambitions and Military Implications The launch signifies an essential advancement in China’s strategic ambitions. Starlink, a commercial broadband constellation with around 5,500 satellites, serves consumers, companies, and government agencies globally. China’s initiative aims to match and potentially surpass this…

Space-Themed Tourism Gains Popularity in Northern China Space-themed tourism is becoming increasingly popular in northern China. Regions like Gansu and Inner Mongolia are capitalising on their unique landscapes, which resemble Mars, to attract space enthusiasts eager to experience simulated space exploration. Mars-Like Experiences in Gansu Gansu’s Jinchang City, known for its expansive Gobi Desert, has established a Mars Simulation Survival Experience Center. This centre mimics Mars-like conditions and offers a variety of interactive modules. These modules include the main control cabin, biological cabin, and medical cabin, providing a realistic simulation of living and conducting research on Mars. Visitors can explore…

Discovering the Early Ancestors of Mollusks: Shishania aculeata Earth hosts roughly 76,000 mollusk species, showcasing a diverse range of forms such as clams, oysters, scallops, mussels, snails, slugs, and highly intelligent creatures like octopuses, cuttlefish, and squid. However, understanding their ancestral forms and early evolution has been challenging. Fossils unearthed in southern China of a small marine creature from the Cambrian Period, approximately 514 million years ago, are shedding light on the early stages of the mollusk lineage. This species, named Shishania aculeata, resembles a spiny slug and offers insights into mollusk evolution. Characteristics of Shishania aculeata Shishania aculeata had…

Videogame Voice Actors and Motion-Capture Performers Strike Over AI Protections https://youtu.be/KfPcpifHYxw SAG-AFTRA Calls Strike Amid AI-Related Labor Disputes Voice actors and motion-capture performers in the video game industry have initiated a strike due to failed labor contract negotiations centered around AI-related worker protections. This strike marks another significant work stoppage in Hollywood. Negotiation Breakdown The SAG-AFTRA union announced the strike of the Interactive Media Agreement, effective July 26, following prolonged negotiations with major video game companies such as Activision Productions, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Take-Two Interactive, Disney Character Voices, and Warner Bros Discovery’s Games. The contract, which expired in November…

OpenAI Launches SearchGPT, Challenging Google in the Search Market OpenAI has announced the launch of SearchGPT, a new AI-driven search engine prototype. This initiative marks a significant move by the artificial intelligence pioneer to compete directly with Google, which currently dominates the global search market. Features and Testing SearchGPT is currently being tested with a small group of users and publishers. OpenAI intends to incorporate the best features from this search tool into its popular ChatGPT chatbot. The new search engine aims to provide summarized search results along with links to the source material, enhancing user experience by making information…

Taiwanese Startup TiSpace Aims for Historic Rocket Launch from Japan Pioneering Launch from Japan A Taiwanese startup, TiSpace, is set to make history as the first foreign firm to launch a rocket from Japan by early next year. This endeavour aligns with Tokyo’s ambitions to transform into a leading space hub in Asia. However, the planned suborbital launch by TiSpace has encountered regulatory challenges and delays. These issues have sparked debate over Japan’s approach to incorporating overseas businesses into its strategy to double the size of its 4 trillion yen ($26 billion) space industry over the next decade. Overcoming Challenges…