Author: Arushi Pandey

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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.…

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Italy Nears €1.5 Billion Deal with SpaceX for Secure Telecommunications Italy is advancing negotiations with Elon Musk’s SpaceX on a €1.5 billion ($1.55 billion) agreement to provide secure government telecommunications, according to Bloomberg News. The discussions focus on a five-year contract, which has already gained approval from Italy’s Intelligence Services and Defence Ministry. However, a final agreement is yet to be signed. SpaceX and the Italian Defence Ministry have not responded to Reuters’ requests for comments outside regular business hours. SpaceX’s Role in Italy’s Communications The deal reportedly involves SpaceX delivering encrypted telephone and internet services for the Italian government.…

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ISRO to Launch US Communication Satellite Enabling Space-Based Phone Calls The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to launch a US communication satellite that will enable mobile phone calls directly from space. The mission, expected in February or March, represents a significant milestone, as it marks the first time a US company will send a large communication satellite into orbit via an Indian rocket. So far, India has only launched small satellites for American companies, making this a landmark collaboration. Union Minister of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, confirmed the mission’s timeline, noting its potential to revolutionise mobile…

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China Celebrates Two Years of Tiangong Space Station Completion with Key Achievements The China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) has released its first report on the progress of the Tiangong space station’s scientific research and applications. This release marks the two-year anniversary of the station’s comprehensive completion. Subsequent reports will be published annually to detail ongoing progress. Major Milestones in Scientific Research The report provides a detailed overview of advances in space science, technology, and applications. It focuses on four primary research areas: space life and human research, microgravity physics, space astronomy and Earth science, and new space technologies. Since…

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Indian Navy and NARL Collaborate on Atmospheric Science The Indian Navy, represented by its Directorate of Naval Oceanology and Meteorology (DNOM), has partnered with the National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL) under the Department of Space, Government of India. This collaboration focuses on leveraging the latest advancements in atmospheric science to enhance naval capabilities. Memorandum of Understanding Signed On 23 December 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at NARL’s Gadanki facility. Commodore Abhinav Barve, representing DNOM, and Dr Amit Kumar Patra, Director of NARL, formalised the agreement. The signing took place at 1500 IST, highlighting a significant step in…

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Crypto Industry Seeks Trump’s Early Action on Cryptocurrency Policy The cryptocurrency industry is urging President-elect Donald Trump to prioritise his promised crypto policy overhaul as he takes office next month. Industry insiders hope executive orders issued during Trump’s first 100 days will push cryptocurrencies into the mainstream by addressing banking access, regulation, and innovation. On the campaign trail, Trump positioned himself as a “crypto president,” drawing support from the sector. Now, industry officials expect at least one executive order to come as early as his inauguration day on January 20. Pushing for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Trump has pledged to…

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