German Minister Urges Civilian Scientists to Back Military Research for Europe’s Security Germany’s Research and Technology Minister, Dorothee Baer, has called on civilian scientists to embrace the potential military applications of their work, arguing that Europe’s security and independence depend on greater collaboration between academic and defence research. Rethinking Germany’s ‘Civilian Clauses’ Speaking to Reuters, Baer said she supported revisiting long-standing “civilian clauses” at German universities — policies that prohibit research with possible military uses. These clauses, introduced after World War Two, were designed to ensure that public institutions remained dedicated solely to peaceful purposes. However, the minister believes the…
Author: Arushi Pandey
Australia Adds Twitch to Teen Social Media Ban, Excludes Pinterest Australia’s online safety regulator announced on Friday that Amazon-owned live streaming platform Twitch will be included in the country’s upcoming ban on social media use for people aged 16 and under. However, image-sharing site Pinterest will not be added to the list. First Country to Enforce Nationwide Teen Social Media Ban Starting on 10 December, Australia will become the first country in the world to prohibit children aged 16 and below from using social media platforms. Companies that fail to take “reasonable steps” to comply with the ban could face…
Germany to Boost ESA Funding to €5 Billion as Space Strategy Expands Germany is preparing to raise its contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA) to as much as €5 billion ($5.76 billion), according to Research Minister Dorothee Baer. The announcement will be made at the ESA conference in Bremen next week, marking a major step in Europe’s space ambitions. Major Increase from Previous Funding Baer confirmed that Germany’s latest commitment will exceed its previous contribution of €3.5 billion made three years ago. “If we now reach the 5-billion mark, that would be extremely positive,” she told Reuters on Thursday.…
Cambodia Releases Captive-Bred Greater Adjutant Storks into the Wild In a landmark step for wildlife preservation, conservationists in Cambodia have released two captive-bred Greater Adjutant Stork chicks into the wild for the first time. The nine-month-old birds, a male and a female, were fitted with GPS trackers before being released into the Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary, managed by the Rising Phoenix conservation group, offers a safe and natural environment for the young storks. Jack Willis, head of research at the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB), explained, “This place is perfect because there are still wild Greater…
Leonardo, Airbus and Thales Agree on Framework for Satellite Merger Three of Europe’s leading aerospace companies — Leonardo, Airbus and Thales — have reached a framework agreement to merge their satellite businesses, according to two sources familiar with the discussions. The move is part of an effort to create a unified European satellite manufacturer capable of competing with Elon Musk’s SpaceX and its Starlink network. Aiming to Strengthen Europe’s Satellite Industry Leonardo will hold an extraordinary board meeting on Tuesday to discuss the merger’s details, which still require board and regulatory approval. While the three companies declined to comment, the…
SpaceX’s 11th Starship Test Paves the Way for Lunar and Mars Missions SpaceX successfully launched its 11th Starship rocket from Texas on Monday, marking a key milestone before testing an upgraded version designed for future Moon and Mars missions. The two-stage rocket, made up of the Starship upper stage and its Super Heavy booster, lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase facility at 6:23 p.m. CT (2323 GMT). After propelling Starship into space, the Super Heavy booster returned for a controlled landing in the Gulf of Mexico before self-destructing, completing another step in the company’s ongoing test campaign. Testing Success and Heat…
ESA Captures Rare Images of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Near Mars The European Space Agency (ESA) has released striking new images of 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar object believed to be a comet, speeding through space near Mars. The comet was captured by spacecraft orbiting the Red Planet, offering scientists a rare chance to study a visitor from beyond our solar system. A Rare Visitor from Deep Space According to NASA, the US space agency, 3I/ATLAS was first discovered on 1 July by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile. Travelling at an exceptional speed of about 37…
Global Space Investment Soars to Record $3.5 Billion in Q3 Global space investments surged to an all-time high of $3.5 billion in the third quarter, driven by a wider mix of startups and strong defence spending. The data, published on Friday by space-focused investment firm Seraphim Space, shows the sector’s growing maturity and its rise alongside artificial intelligence as one of technology’s fastest-growing fields. Broader Investor Interest Fuels Growth Investment in space-related ventures, from rocket manufacturers to low-Earth-orbit satellite firms, nearly doubled from $1.79 billion in the same period last year. Analysts say this marks a significant shift in how…
A Young Rogue Planet Shows Star-Like Growth Burst Just like Earth orbits the sun, most planets discovered beyond our solar system orbit a host star. Yet, some wander alone through space, known as rogue planets. These mysterious bodies have puzzled astronomers for years, but a recent discovery may help explain how they form and evolve. Discovery of a Rapidly Growing Rogue Planet Astronomers have identified a young rogue planet named Cha 1107-7626, about five to ten times more massive than Jupiter. This object was spotted in the middle of a powerful growth burst at the centre of a disk of…
Airbus Surpasses Boeing in Jet Deliveries Europe’s Airbus achieved a historic milestone on Tuesday, as its A320 family of aircraft overtook Boeing’s 737 to become the most-delivered jetliner in aviation history. The record was broken with the delivery of an A320neo to Saudi carrier Flynas, bringing total A320 series deliveries to 12,260 since entering service in 1988, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Airbus and Boeing declined to comment on the data, which was compiled by leading industry analyst Rob Morris. The achievement marks a symbolic victory in a transatlantic rivalry that has shaped commercial aviation for decades. Rising Demand…