DeepSeek Rise Challenges OpenAI with Lower AI Costs Hemanth Mandapati, CEO of German startup Novo AI, recently switched from OpenAI’s ChatGPT to DeepSeek AI model. He made the change in minutes and saw immediate savings. “DeepSeek’s offer was five times lower than their usual prices,” he said at the GoWest conference in Sweden. He also noted that users noticed no difference in performance. DeepSeek is reshaping the AI industry by providing affordable alternatives. Interviews with startup executives and investors highlight how lower costs are making AI more accessible. The competition is also pressuring other AI firms to improve their models…
Author: Arushi Pandey
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NASA’s Bennu Samples Reveal Clues to Life’s Origins Rock and dust samples retrieved from the asteroid Bennu by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission contain chemical compounds essential for life. This discovery strengthens the theory that space rocks may have delivered the raw ingredients that helped life emerge on early Earth. Organic Molecules and Water-Induced Minerals Found Two separate studies, published on January 29, provide key insights into the composition of the Bennu samples: Nature Astronomy: Researchers found a diverse mix of organic compounds, including amino acids—the building blocks of proteins. Nature: Scientists detected minerals formed by the evaporation of briny water on…
Trump Urges Musk to Bring NASA Astronauts Back Early Former US President Donald Trump urges Musk to bring back two NASA astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) ahead of schedule. The astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, were already set to return in March aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. Musk confirmed Trump’s request on Tuesday, saying the former president wanted the astronauts to return “as soon as possible.” The SpaceX CEO responded, “We will do so,” implying a possible shift from NASA’s current timeline. Trump’s Unusual Intervention in NASA Operations Trump took to Truth Social to make his…
Celebrating the 2025 Spring Festival in Outer Space As the 2025 Spring Festival approaches on January 29, marking the Year of the Snake, the Shenzhou-19 crew aboard China’s Tiangong space station extended their heartfelt New Year wishes to people back on Earth. The crew, on a six-month mission in orbit, held a special celebration to honour this most significant holiday in the Chinese calendar, which symbolises family reunions, joy, and aspirations for the future. In a festive video message released on Monday, astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze decorated the space station with traditional Chinese papercuts featuring the…
China Launches Pakistani Satellite PRSC-EO1 Successfully into Space China Launches Pakistani Satellite PRSC-EO1 into space on Friday, 17 January 2025. The launch took place at 12:07 p.m. Beijing Time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, as reported by the state-run Xinhua news agency. This satellite entered its planned orbit without issue, showcasing China’s continued expertise in space technology. The launch utilised a Long March-2D carrier rocket, which also carried two additional satellites, Tianlu-1 and Lantan-1. This mission marked the 556th flight of the Long March carrier rocket series, underlining the reliability of this rocket family. Strengthening a Space Partnership China…
Suspected Marburg Virus Outbreak in Northwest Tanzania Claims Eight Lives A suspected Marburg virus outbreak in northwest Tanzania has left eight people dead and infected another, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported. The cases emerged weeks after Rwanda declared its own outbreak over in December. The Marburg virus, part of the same family as Ebola, is a highly contagious viral hemorrhagic fever. With a fatality rate of up to 88%, the disease is primarily transmitted to humans through fruit bats, which are common in East Africa. Symptoms of Marburg Virus and WHO Response On 10 January, the WHO received reliable…
Healthcare Dealmakers Eyeing $10 Billion Deals at JPMorgan Conference Healthcare executives, bankers, and lawyers are gathering in San Francisco this week for the prestigious JPMorgan Healthcare Conference. With over 8,000 participants expected, the event is drawing significant attention, especially as dealmakers anticipate a surge in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) worth more than $10 billion. This optimism is largely fuelled by expectations of less antitrust scrutiny under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Anticipating a Resurgence in M&A In the past year, the healthcare sector saw no transactions exceeding $5 billion, marking the first time in over a decade that no such deals…
Chinese NEV Makers Boost Growth in Latin America Chinese NEV makers are driving the rise of new energy vehicles (NEVs) globally, with a focus on Latin America. Countries like Brazil are witnessing the establishment of advanced NEV manufacturing plants, which bring innovative technologies and create job opportunities. This move supports green development and promotes collaboration in the global push for sustainability. Growing Demand for NEVs Drives Chinese Exports China’s NEV exports have surged in recent years, fuelled by rising international demand. Domestic carmakers, including traditional manufacturers and newer entrants, are increasingly exploring overseas markets. “The Chinese automobile market has evolved…
New Glenn’s First Mission Set for January 10 Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is gearing up for its highly anticipated first launch, NG-1. The mission is scheduled for no earlier than Friday, January 10, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The three-hour launch window opens at 1 a.m. EST (0600 UTC). This milestone marks New Glenn’s debut in the National Security Space Launch programme. Testing Orbital Logistics with Blue Ring Pathfinder The NG-1 mission will carry Blue Origin’s Blue Ring Pathfinder payload. This payload will evaluate Blue Ring’s core flight systems, ground operations, and overall capabilities. The test…
China’s Long March 3B Rocket Launches First Space Mission of 2025 China marked a significant milestone early Tuesday with the successful launch of its first space mission of 2025. A Long March 3B carrier rocket carried the experimental Shijian 25 satellite into space, showcasing the nation’s growing expertise in space technology. Long March 3B: A Powerful Start to 2025 The rocket lifted off at 4 am from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province. It quickly delivered the Shijian 25 satellite into its designated orbit, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC), the country’s primary space contractor.…