Reliance Pushes for Satellite Spectrum Auction in India Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance is once again urging India’s telecom regulator to consider an auction-based approach for allocating satellite spectrum. The call comes only weeks after the government decided to allocate this spectrum on an administrative basis, sparking debate among industry players. Reliance’s Concerns Over Administrative Allocation Ravi Gandhi, a senior policy executive at Reliance, voiced strong concerns over the current first-come, first-served approach, calling it “flawed” and “discriminatory.” He expressed these views during an open house discussion organised by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Representatives from other major…
Author: Aishwarya Parikh
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Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon Drops 30% in Major Environmental Shift Deforestation in Brazil Amazon rainforest declined by 30.6% in the 12 months through July compared to the previous year, government data released Wednesday shows. This reduction marks the smallest deforested area in nearly a decade for the world’s largest rainforest. Dramatic Decline in Amazon Deforestation According to data from Brazil’s space research agency Inpe, about 6,288 square kilometres (2,428 square miles) of Amazon rainforest were destroyed in this period—an area larger than the US state of Delaware. The protection of the Amazon is essential for mitigating climate change due to…
Shift Towards Oil and Gas Under Trump’s Energy Plan Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House would steer U.S. energy policy back toward boosting oil and gas production. Trump’s plans focus on increasing fossil fuel extraction, aligning with his promises to reduce climate-focused regulations. However, analysts suggest that Trump’s impact on the renewable energy sector would likely be limited. A major factor is the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which secures substantial subsidies for solar, wind, and other clean energy projects through the next decade. Despite Trump’s criticism of the IRA, repealing the law would require Congressional approval.…
Meta Criticises Malaysia’s Plan for Social Media Licensing, Citing Innovation Risks A Meta Platforms official voiced concerns on Wednesday over Malaysia’s upcoming requirement for social media platforms to obtain a regulatory licence by January 2025. Meta’s Southeast Asia public policy director, Rafael Frankel, warned that the rushed timeline and lack of clear guidelines could hinder digital innovation and growth in Malaysia. Malaysia’s New Licensing Requirement for Social Media The proposed regulation, announced in July, mandates that social media platforms and messaging services with over eight million users must secure a licence to operate legally. Malaysia’s goal is to combat financial…
Airbus Set to Finalise A321XLR Jet Delivery to Iberia, Marking a New Era in Single-Aisle Travel Airbus is nearing completion of the delivery of its highly anticipated A321XLR, its longest-range single-aisle jet, to Spanish airline Iberia. This marks a milestone as the first delivery of this advanced variant of the best-selling A321 model. Although the formal handover will take place shortly, Iberia will not add the aircraft to its active fleet until next month, according to sources familiar with the matter. Scheduled Handover and Planned Ceremony The A321XLR, assembled in Hamburg, Germany, is scheduled to depart for Madrid on Wednesday…
Nvidia Expands Partnerships with Indian Firms, Launches Hindi AI Model Nvidia, the global chip giant, strengthened its ties with major Indian companies, including Reliance Industries, on Thursday. The company also introduced a lightweight artificial intelligence (AI) model tailored for Hindi, aiming to tap into India’s rapidly growing AI market. Nvidia’s AI Summit in Mumbai During an AI summit in Mumbai, Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, engaged in discussions with Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, who is also Asia’s richest man. Speaking at the event, Huang highlighted Nvidia’s increasing presence in India. “Nvidia is AI in India,” Huang said, noting that…
Bioluminescent Glow in Chennai Beaches Linked to Water Pollution The recent ‘blue glow’ or bioluminescent glow spotted along the beaches of South Chennai has captivated the public’s attention. However, scientists from the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) have cautioned that this spectacle might not be a positive sign. It suggests declining water quality caused by pollution and other environmental factors. What is ‘Sea Sparkle’? The dazzling blue glow was caused by Noctiluca scintillans, commonly known as ‘sea sparkle.’ These micro-plankton exhibit bioluminescence when disturbed, creating the glowing effect seen at night. While the glow may seem magical, it indicates…
Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum Opens Galleries to Public On Tuesday, Egypt opened several galleries of its long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) to the public. However, the much-anticipated exhibits, including the famous King Tutankhamun collection and the solar boats buried by the Pyramid of Khufu, are yet to be revealed. The full inauguration of the museum has faced multiple delays but is expected to attract global attention. A Project Decades in the Making The Grand Egyptian Museum has been under construction for over 20 years and was initially planned to open in 2012. However, political upheavals and cost overruns repeatedly delayed…
Stellantis Denies Merger Talks with Renault Stellantis is not planning any mergers or acquisitions, despite rumours of a potential tie-up with French competitor Renault. John Elkann, chairman of the French-Italian automaker, dismissed the speculation during an interview with AFP at the Paris Car Show. He emphasised that Stellantis is concentrating on its business operations and not on “distractions” like consolidation. Elkann, who is also the largest shareholder through the Agnelli family’s investment firm EXOR, stated, “We, as Stellantis, consider that we have a competitive size.” This remark counters recent reports suggesting possible merger talks with Renault, which were denied earlier…
Space Agencies Gather in Milan Amid Growing Geopolitical Rivalry This week, the world’s space agencies are meeting in Milan as geopolitical tensions drive a new race in Earth’s orbit and on the Moon. Private companies, led by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, are playing a significant role in this renewed space competition. The International Astronautical Congress (IAC), an annual event since 1950, brings together scientists, engineers, and political leaders from spacefaring nations. Even in times of geopolitical strain, the congress remains a platform for discussions about cooperation. This year, however, Russia’s Roscosmos will be notably absent, reflecting the isolation that followed Moscow’s…