Space Probe to Map Carbon in Tropical Forests from Orbit A new space biomass probe is scheduled for launch this month, aiming to orbit Earth and map the carbon content of tropical forests in some of the planet’s most remote regions. Known as the Biomass mission, it will play a vital role in understanding how much carbon these forests store and how deforestation affects climate change. Advanced Radar Scanner to Measure Forest Carbon Set for launch on 29 April, the European Space Agency’s Biomass probe will carry a powerful radar scanner designed to operate for several years in Earth’s orbit.…
Author: Kanika Sharma
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China Censors Tariff Talk Online as US Slaps 104% Duties on Chinese Goods China censors discussions about new US tariffs on its social media platforms after sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs from Washington took effect this week. These include a staggering 104% duty on Chinese goods, prompting online outrage and ridicule in China—but only selective posts remain visible. Hashtags Blocked, Mockery Allowed Searches for keywords such as “tariff” or “104” on Weibo now lead to error messages, with most content blocked. Even related hashtags were suppressed, reflecting the Chinese government’s efforts to control the narrative. Meanwhile, anti-US content—especially those mocking the United…
Vietnam Seeks Tariff Relief in Key Meetings with US Officials and Business Leaders Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc is visiting Washington this week for high-level talks aimed at easing trade tensions with the United States. His key meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled for Wednesday, as Vietnam pushes for a revision of new tariffs affecting its vital exports. Push to Reverse 46% Tariffs The United States has imposed a 46% tariff on Vietnamese exports, set to take effect this Wednesday. These exports make up around 30% of Vietnam’s gross domestic product. Hanoi is urging Washington…
NASA’s Jonny Kim Launches to Space Station with Russian Crew NASA astronaut Jonny Kim has successfully launched to the International Space Station (ISS) alongside two Russian cosmonauts. The mission lifted off on Tuesday aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft, departing from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Smooth Launch and Rapid Docking Planned The Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft, carried by a Soyuz booster rocket, launched on schedule and entered orbit smoothly. The crew—Kim, Sergey Ryzhikov, and Alexey Zubritsky—is expected to dock with the ISS just over three hours after lift-off. All three astronauts are set for an extended mission of about eight months…
Taiwan Stocks Sink Nearly 10% After US Tariffs Announcement The Taiwan stock market suffered a sharp drop on Monday, falling nearly 10% in its first session since the US introduced new import tariffs. The market reacted strongly to the news, marking its worst one-day loss in over three decades. Tariffs Target Trade Surplus of Taiwan The United States imposed a 32% tariff on imports from Taiwan, citing its high trade surplus with the US. Former President Donald Trump singled out Taiwan, alongside other key trading partners, in the announcement last week. Following a two-day market break, Taiwan’s main stock index,…
ISRO Successfully Manages Safe Re-entry of POEM-4 Module The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) marked another milestone in responsible space operations with the successful re-entry of its POEM-4 module. This event, which took place on April 4, 2025, underscores ISRO’s continued efforts in promoting space sustainability and reducing orbital debris. POEM-4 Deployed After PSLV-C60 Launch On 30 December 2024, ISRO launched the PSLV-C60 mission, which carried twin SPADEX satellites into space. After placing the satellites into a 475 km orbit, the mission’s upper stage—referred to as the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module or POEM-4—remained in a similar orbit. ISRO then performed…
Flying Radar Helps Coordinate 90+ Aircraft in Major Multinational Drill With over 90 aircraft involved, the NATO exercise “Ramstein Flag 25” (RAFL25) depends heavily on precise coordination and fast communication. At the heart of this effort is the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), serving as a ‘flying sensor’ to manage airspace and ensure mission success across all participating forces. “Thanks to our sensors, we can scan the surrounding airspace, detect and track flying objects, and share that information in real time with command centres and the pilots,” said Lieutenant Colonel Alessandro from Italy. “We can see farther and sooner…
Wilmore and Williams Reflect on Return from Extended Starliner Mission NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are readjusting to life on Earth after an unplanned nine-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS). Since their return, the two have been enjoying simple pleasures like dog walks and family time while preparing to help Boeing improve its Starliner spacecraft. Williams shared her experience of returning to Earth, saying, “Laying down on a bed for the first time in nine months was pretty awesome. I just crashed until the next day.” She also spoke about the challenge of adjusting to gravity…
Germany’s First Woman Astronaut Blasts Off on Historic SpaceX Mission Rabea Rogge made history on Monday by becoming the first woman from Germany to travel to space. Her journey began aboard a SpaceX mission that follows a new path around Earth, flying from pole to pole—an orbit never before used by humans. Rogge, a robotics and polar science expert, is the first German in space since 1978. That year, Sigmund Jaehn flew on a Soviet space mission. Rogge’s launch marks a new milestone for Germany in space exploration. A Mission That Inspires Change Before her selection, Rogge admitted she had…
Powerful Earthquake Strikes Myanmar, Causes Widespread Damage A major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck Myanmar on 28 March 2025 at 06:20:54 UTC. The quake was followed by a strong aftershock measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale. The epicentre was located near the Sagaing-Mandalay border, at coordinates 22.013° N, 95.922° E, and at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. The impact of the tremors was felt across much of Myanmar and extended into neighbouring countries. Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, bore the brunt of the earthquake. The city experienced severe infrastructure damage, with roads, buildings, and essential services affected. The…