China Takes Bold Step in Space Exploration with Tianwen-2 In a major milestone for its space programme, China launched the Tianwen-2 spacecraft in the early hours of Thursday, 29 May. This robotic probe is designed to collect samples from a near-Earth asteroid, making China only the third nation to attempt such a feat. The spacecraft blasted off aboard a Long March 3B rocket at around 1:31 a.m. local time. The launch took place at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, located in Sichuan province. The probe is now on its way to asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, which orbits roughly 10 million miles…
Author: Arushi Pandey
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Shenzhou-20 Astronauts Reflect on Childhood Dreams in Space As International Children’s Day approaches on 1 June, the crew of China’s Shenzhou-20 mission extended their heartfelt wishes to children everywhere. Speaking from the Chinese space station, astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie shared personal stories of their early dreams and the journey that led them to space. The astronauts are currently aboard China’s orbiting space station. They used the occasion to speak directly to children, offering encouragement and reminding them of the value of perseverance, learning, and ambition. Each astronaut reflected on how their membership in the Chinese Young…
Asian Markets Hold Steady as Trump Delays EU Tariff Threat Stock markets across Asia remained stable on Monday, while the euro gained strength. This came after US President Donald Trump unexpectedly postponed his plan to impose 50% tariffs on EU goods. The new deadline for trade talks is now set for 9 July, extending the earlier deadline of 1 June. The delay followed a request from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who asked for more time to secure a fair agreement. Trump’s decision offered a temporary break from his unpredictable trade tactics, providing markets with a brief sense…
Rising Cheap Chinese Goods Offer Relief Amid Cost-of-Living Strains As the world worries about rising US tariffs and the threat of renewed inflation, Australia is benefiting from an unexpected source of economic relief. The arrival of cheap Chinese goods, particularly through popular e-commerce platforms, is helping to temper inflation and ease pressure on household budgets. Chinese online retail giants such as Alibaba’s Taobao and JD.COM are expanding in the Australian market. Their entry is well-timed, as local consumers search for affordable alternatives amid persistent cost-of-living challenges. Low Prices Encourage Consumer Spending Australia, which manufactures few finished goods locally, has long…
New FDA Trials Required for Approval in Healthy Adults The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Tuesday that annual COVID-19 booster shots will now be limited to older adults and people at risk of severe illness. The agency plans to require new clinical trials before approving boosters for healthy individuals under 65. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and top vaccines regulator Vinay Prasad outlined the changes in the New England Journal of Medicine. They said the benefit of repeated yearly shots for healthy adults is now uncertain. After years of widespread vaccination and virus exposure, more data is needed…
Signs Once Thought to Indicate Water Now Linked to Dust Movements For decades, images taken from orbit around Mars have shown dark streaks running down cliffs and crater walls. Many scientists believed these features, known as slope streaks, were caused by flowing water. This raised hopes that Mars might still have environments where life could exist. However, a recent study challenges that idea. After analysing nearly 500,000 of these streaks, researchers now suggest they are likely caused by dry processes. Rather than water, it seems dust movement is responsible for the streaks’ appearance. This strengthens the theory that Mars is…
Cyber Attack Impacts Legal Aid Services The Legal Aid Agency in Britain has confirmed a significant cyber attack that compromised personal data of legal aid applicants dating back to 2010. The breach came to light on 23 April, and since then, the agency has been working closely with the National Crime Agency to assess the situation. By Friday, it was discovered that the breach was more severe than initially believed. As a result, the agency took its online services offline to prevent further risk to user data. Sensitive Information Accessed by Hackers According to the Legal Aid Agency, the attackers…
FAA Updates SpaceX Launch Approvals But Flight 9 Still on Hold The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted license modifications for SpaceX’s Starship Flight 9 mission. However, it has not yet approved the launch itself. SpaceX must wait until the FAA completes its investigation into Flight 8 or issues a formal return-to-flight decision. Expanded Launch Capacity at Boca Chica The FAA’s approval includes a major change for SpaceX’s launch site in Boca Chica, Texas. The company can now increase its annual launch count from five to 25. This increase, first announced in March, reflects the growing pace of SpaceX’s spaceflight…
Google Warns of Scattered Spider-Linked Hackers Now Targeting American Retail Firms Alphabet’s Google has issued a warning that the hacking group behind recent cyberattacks on major UK retailers is now focusing on similar targets in the United States. The group, connected with the hacker network known as “Scattered Spider,” has drawn attention for its aggressive and adaptable tactics. “These actors are aggressive, creative, and particularly effective at circumventing mature security programmes,” said John Hultquist, a cybersecurity analyst at Google’s Mandiant unit. Scattered Spider is believed to have orchestrated the April cyberattack that froze the online operations of M&S, one of…
US Seals $142 Billion Arms Deal with Saudi Arabia The United States has finalised an arms agreement with Saudi Arabia worth nearly $142 billion, marking the largest defence cooperation deal in US history. The deal was signed during former President Donald Trump’s visit to Riyadh and includes a broad range of military technologies and services. Record-Breaking Defence Package Announced A White House fact sheet stated that the deal involves more than a dozen US defence companies. It spans sectors such as air and missile defence, air force and space development, maritime security, and communications. The agreement highlights a strong US…