India’s E-Waste Reform Faces Resistance from Global Electronics Giants India is pushing to address its growing electronic waste crisis, but leading global electronics manufacturers are pushing back. Companies including Daikin, Hitachi, and Samsung are challenging new recycling rules introduced by the Indian government, claiming that India’s E-waste policies sharply increase compliance costs and threaten their business models. New Recycling Rules Spark Legal and Industry Opposition In September, the Indian government introduced a minimum price that electronics companies must pay to authorised recyclers for processing waste. The aim is to formalise the largely unregulated e-waste sector, improve environmental safety, and encourage…
Author: Aishwarya Parikh
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Rapid growth in Chinese robotics showcases expanding global footprint From smart homes and medical care to food delivery and industrial manufacturing, Chinese robots are finding uses across the globe. At the forefront of this technological surge is Shenzhen, a city rapidly becoming a global centre for robotics research, production, and export. By the end of 2024, China had registered over 450,000 smart robot companies, more than triple the number at the end of 2020, according to the State Administration for Market Regulation. Today, more than half of the world’s humanoid robot companies are based in China, cementing the country’s dominance…
Tesla Launches in Saudi Arabia Amid EV Market Challenges and Political Shifts Tesla has officially started selling its electric vehicles in Saudi Arabia, with its launch set for Thursday, 10 April. The debut marks a significant step for the US automaker in a market that has been slow to adopt electric vehicles (EVs) and lacks basic infrastructure like charging stations. A Market with Untapped Potential Currently, Saudi Arabia has just 101 EV charging stations across the country. Along a key 900-kilometre highway between Riyadh and Mecca, not a single public charging station exists. In comparison, the United Arab Emirates, with…
European Scientists Use AI to Improve Global Wildfire Predictions A leading European climate institute is using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve how wildfires are predicted across the world. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) has launched a new forecasting system called the Probability of Fire model. This AI-powered approach aims to identify wildfire-prone areas more precisely than traditional methods. https://youtu.be/MHAanICD0oY Moving Beyond Traditional Forecasting Tools Wildfire risk has long been measured using the Fire Weather Index. This method focuses on just four weather-related factors: temperature, wind, precipitation, and humidity. However, climate scientists have highlighted that this model misses…
U.S. Energy Department Identifies 16 Sites for Future AI Data Centers The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced 16 federal locations that could host new AI data centers and related energy facilities. The initiative supports the country’s growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and energy capacity. AI Growth Fuels Urgent Development Plans On Thursday, the DOE issued a Request for Information (RFI) inviting feedback from stakeholders, including grid operators and developers. The goal is to gauge industry interest in fast-tracking projects that could be operational within two years. Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasised the urgency, calling the global…
Strong Demand for H20 Chips Reflects China’s Expanding AI Push Major Chinese tech firms, including ByteDance, Alibaba Group, and Tencent Holdings, have placed orders worth at least $16 billion for Nvidia’s H20 server chips in the first quarter of 2025, according to a report by The Information. The report, citing two individuals familiar with the transactions, highlights the surging demand for artificial intelligence (AI) hardware in China. These purchases are driven in part by the popularity of affordable AI models developed by Chinese startup DeepSeek. The H20 chip is currently the most advanced Nvidia AI processor that remains legal for…
China Eyes Moon’s South Pole with Chang’e Missions China plans to launch its Chang’e-7 mission in 2026 to explore the moon’s south pole, focusing on environmental conditions and the potential presence of water. A follow-up mission, Chang’e-8, scheduled for 2028, will test advanced technologies for building lunar habitats using local resources. Aiming for Lunar Water Wu Weiren, chief designer of China’s Lunar Exploration Programme, shared the details in a recent interview with China Central Television. He confirmed that the programme, with a perfect success record over the past 20 years, is now entering its fourth phase. The Chang’e-7 mission will…
First Station May Open by Mid-2025 in Danang SpaceX is set to establish its first Starlink ground station in Vietnam, with plans to build up to 15 across the country. According to sources familiar with the matter, this move could signal the formal launch of Starlink’s services in Vietnam and help local authorities manage internet traffic. The first ground station may become operational as early as May or June in Danang, a central Vietnamese city. The project follows a decision by the Vietnamese Prime Minister on 23 March, directing SpaceX to build at least one such facility. SpaceX Special Conditions…
China’s Brain Chip Beinao No.1 Poised to Surpass Neuralink in Human Implants A collaboration between the Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR) and NeuCyber NeuroTech plans to implant its brain chip, Beinao No.1, into 13 patients by the end of this year. With three implants already completed, the Beijing-based team aims to outpace Elon Musk’s Neuralink in human brain-computer interface (BCI) trials. Beinao No.1 Gaining Ground in BCI Research Beinao No.1 is a semi-invasive, wireless brain chip designed to assist patients with paralysis. In recent trials, it enabled users to control a robotic arm and transmit thoughts onto a computer…
Private equity firms and aerospace bidders circle Jeppesen Several private equity firms and one aerospace supplier remain in the running to acquire Boeing’s Jeppesen navigation unit in a deal valued at over $8 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. Boeing is expected to request formal bids in the coming weeks, with six insiders confirming the process remains confidential. Bidding groups and potential buyers emerge In recent weeks, several private equity groups have teamed up in their pursuit of Jeppesen. Among them are Vista Equity and Warburg Pincus; Advent International and Permira; and TPG alongside Francisco Partners. Each of…