In a move that marks a transformative shift in India’s maritime policy framework, Parliament passed two technologically progressive bills on Wednesday, aimed at aligning India’s shipping and maritime governance with international standards. The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, and the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, represent the country’s most comprehensive legal overhaul in the maritime sector in over a century. The two legislations are a first for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and lay the groundwork for a modern, efficient, and future-ready maritime ecosystem-emphasising digitalisation, automation, and international interoperability in policy and practice. Merchant Shipping Bill…
Author: Aishwarya Parikh
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UK Grants First Rocket Launch Licence to Homegrown Firm The UK has issued its first space launch licence to a British rocket company, marking a big step forward for the nation’s space ambitions. Skyrora, a start-up based in Scotland, now has permission to carry out vertical launches from SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands. Skyrora Leads the Way in UK Space Launches Founded in 2017, Skyrora is set to become the first UK company to launch rockets from British soil. With its new licence, the firm could conduct up to 16 launches each year, pending further approval from the UK…
Smithsonian Alters Impeachment Exhibit, Removes Trump Reference The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History has removed direct references to former President Donald Trump from its impeachment exhibit. The change comes after the institution agreed to review its content, following pressure from the White House, according to a spokesperson and reports from the Washington Post. The museum, located in Washington D.C., made this revision as part of a broader review of its displays. A future version of the exhibit will include information on all presidential impeachments, the Smithsonian confirmed in a statement on Thursday. Content Review Follows Executive Order Earlier…
In a pivotal step towards India’s sustainability and atma nirbharta goals, a 1-MW Green Hydrogen Power Plant was launched at the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla, Gujarat on July 31. It was inaugurated by Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW). This plant is a building block in India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched by PM Modi. This 1-MW capacity plant is part of a larger 10-MW Green Hydrogen project vision. The foundation stone for the mega project was laid by the PM during his visit in Gujarat’s Bhuj on on 26 May, earlier this year. The…
Fusion AI Summit 2025 Launches in Vizag, Paving Way for India’s AI Future The two-day Fusion AI Summit 2025 began in Visakhapatnam on Friday, marking a major milestone in India’s AI journey. Organised by the DeepTech Naipunya Foundation, the event is the first exclusive AI-focused summit in the city. It brought together over 1,100 participants, including policymakers, tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and students. State minister Kondapalli Srinivas inaugurated the summit and highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s ambition to become an AI-first economy. “AI-human collaboration is already reshaping productivity and daily life in our state,” he said, underlining the potential for AI to drive…
Top-level Meeting Marks Rare Space Collaboration Dmitry Bakanov, Roscosmos Chief, has arrived in Houston for high-level talks with NASA’s interim chief, Sean Duffy. This meeting, set for July 31, is the first direct discussion between the two space agency heads since 2018, according to Russian news sources. Bakanov, who took over Roscosmos in February, will meet Duffy, the US Transportation Secretary and newly appointed interim NASA head by President Donald Trump. The planned discussions aim to strengthen ongoing joint efforts in space. Focus on Key International Space Projects According to Russia’s TASS news agency, both sides will discuss ongoing projects.…
China Begins Work on World’s Largest Hydropower Dam on Tibetan Plateau China has officially started constructing what will become the world’s largest hydropower dam, located on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. The project, announced by Premier Li Qiang, is estimated to cost at least $170 billion, according to the official Xinhua news agency. This massive hydropower project is China’s most ambitious since building the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River. Huge Electricity Capacity Expected The dam will consist of five cascade hydropower stations capable of generating 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity every year. This is equal to…
UK Startup HoloMem Develops Holographic Data Storage to Tackle AI Energy Demands As artificial intelligence continues to fuel unprecedented data growth, traditional magnetic tapes used for five decades may no longer meet global storage needs. A UK startup, HoloMem, is now developing an innovative solution using holographic storage designed on polymer tapes to address these challenges while reducing energy consumption in data centres. Storing Data with Holograms London-based HoloMem is using holographic technology to improve data storage density and efficiency. By using a method called multiplexing, HoloMem records multiple layers of digital information within the same physical space of its…
Stellantis Ends Hydrogen Vehicle Plans, Impacting Symbio Joint Venture Carmaker Stellantis has announced it will halt its hydrogen fuel cell technology programme and cancel plans to launch hydrogen-powered vehicles this year. This decision raises concerns about the future of Symbio, Stellantis’ hydrogen subsidiary. Hydrogen Seen as Unsustainable in Current Market Stellantis attributed the move to the lack of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, high development costs, and weak consumer incentives. Jean-Philippe Imparato, Stellantis’ chief operating officer for enlarged Europe, stated, “The hydrogen market remains a niche segment, with no prospects of mid-term economic sustainability.” As a result, the company will focus on…
Germany Sets Ambitious AI Targets to Boost Economy by 2030 Germany plans to significantly increase its use of artificial intelligence (AI) by the end of this decade, aiming to support its economy and strengthen its global position in key technologies. According to a draft strategy document, seen by Reuters, Germany wants AI to contribute 10% of its total economic output by 2030. National AI Strategy Targets Global Competition The German government sees AI as a critical tool in advancing research and economic development. Its new strategy outlines a national “AI offensive” designed to catch up with global leaders such as…