India’s IT Minister Applauds DeepSeek for Disrupting AI Sector India’s IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has praised Chinese AI startup DeepSeek for challenging industry norms with its low-cost AI model. He compared its frugal approach to India’s ongoing efforts to develop a localized AI ecosystem. Speaking at an event in Odisha, Vaishnaw referenced DeepSeek’s achievement, stating, “Some people question the amount of investments the government has committed in (IndiaAI mission). You have seen what DeepSeek has done? $5.5 million and a very, very powerful model. Because, the use of brain.” DeepSeek’s AI model, built in just two months with under $6…
Author: Aditya Lenka
Vodafone Makes World’s First Video Call via Satellite Using a Standard Smartphone Vodafone (VOD.L) has achieved a major milestone by completing the world’s first video call via satellite using a standard smartphone. The European mobile operator aims to introduce this groundbreaking technology to its customers across Europe later in 2025 and 2026. Video Call from a Remote Location The historic call took place on Monday when Vodafone engineer Rowan Chesmer, located in the remote Welsh mountains without network coverage, connected with CEO Margherita Della Valle. “We were using the only satellite service that offers a full mobile experience with a…
India Set to Adopt ‘One Nation, One Time’ with NavIC-Based Atomic Clocks India follows Indian Standard Time (IST), but its exact time is currently determined by GPS satellites, linked to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). However, this system is about to change. Soon, the country will shift to ‘One Nation, One Time’ using the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system, connecting to the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to provide a standardised reference time. How Will the New System Work? A lab in Faridabad will receive the time from NavIC and distribute it via an optical fibre link to four regional centres—Ahmedabad,…
Taiwan-US Semiconductor Collaboration: A Win-Win Model The semiconductor relationship between Taiwan and the US is a mutually beneficial model, the Taiwanese government emphasised on Tuesday, responding to tariff threats from former US President Donald Trump. The high level of complementarity of the Taiwan-US semiconductor relationship strengthens their partnership in this critical sector. Taiwan’s Key Role in the Global Tech Supply Chain Taiwan is home to the world’s largest contract chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). As a key player in the global technology supply chain, Taiwan supports major US companies like Apple and Nvidia. This collaboration highlights Taiwan’s importance in…
India’s Rising Demand for Ultra-Luxury Homes DLF, India’s largest real estate developer, announced on Monday that its $4 billion project near New Delhi will take over four years to complete. This landmark project has already drawn significant interest, with 173 of the 420 units sold at an average price of $8 million each. Notably, 12% of the buyers are non-resident Indians (NRIs), who are investing in some of India’s priciest real estate. The demand reflects the growing wealth of India’s elite, who are also driving sales of high-end cars, luxury watches, and designer interiors. This surge comes as a stark…
New Research Unveils the Dinosaur Origins of Bird Wings A groundbreaking study in evolutionary biology has traced the origins of bird wings back to feathered dinosaurs from the Jurassic Period. These findings shed light on how early dinosaurs evolved proto-wings, setting the stage for the development of bird flight. Feathered Dinosaurs: The Proto-Wing Architects During the Jurassic Period, certain dinosaurs, particularly a group called Pennaraptoran dinosaurs, developed early versions of wings known as proto-wings. These proto-wings were composed of pennaceous feathers but were too small for powered flight. Pennaraptorans represent a fascinating evolutionary stage where dinosaurs were experimenting with structures…
Cabinet Approves Third Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This development is crucial for advancing India’s space exploration capabilities and supporting upcoming human spaceflight missions. Purpose of the Third Launch Pad The TLP will cater to the Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It will also act as a standby for the existing Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota. This facility is expected to…
Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Reaches Orbit in Historic Launch Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket successfully launched into space early Thursday morning, marking a historic milestone for Jeff Bezos’ space company. The inaugural flight is a major step forward in the company’s ambition to compete with SpaceX in the satellite launch industry. A Long-Awaited Milestone for New Glenn Standing 30 stories tall and equipped with a reusable first stage, New Glenn lifted off at 2 a.m. ET (0700 GMT) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Its seven engines roared to life, cutting through the cloudy skies on its…
Biopharmaceutical Industry Eyes Recovery Amid Policy Uncertainty in 2025 The biopharmaceutical sector aims to rebound from last year’s downturn in investor returns but remains cautious about potential challenges under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Key concerns include drug pricing reforms, vaccine policies, and the broader regulatory landscape. Policy Shifts Under Scrutiny The industry continues to grapple with the impacts of the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. The law allowed Medicare to negotiate prices for the costliest prescription drugs, marking a historic shift in healthcare regulation. While this aimed to reduce costs for patients, it introduced significant uncertainty for…
India’s Pixxel Achieves Milestone with Hyperspectral Satellite Launch Pixxel, a pioneering Indian space tech startup, launched three of its six hyperspectral imaging satellites aboard a SpaceX rocket from California on Tuesday. The launch, conducted at 1915 GMT (just after midnight in India), took place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base and was broadcast live by SpaceX. Advancing Hyperspectral Imaging for Critical Industries Pixxel’s satellites utilise hyperspectral imaging, a cutting-edge technology that captures detailed data across hundreds of light bands. This enables applications in agriculture, mining, environmental monitoring, and defence, offering unparalleled precision compared to existing imaging technologies. Such data can…