Trump Defends Tariffs Amid CEO Meeting as Markets React US President Donald Trump defends tariffs, suggesting they could increase further. Speaking to top American CEOs, he dismissed market volatility and downplayed concerns about a possible recession. Trump Stresses Tariff Benefits to Business Leaders Trump addressed around 100 CEOs at a Business Roundtable meeting, which included executives from Apple, JPMorgan Chase, and Walmart. The discussion came after a private White House meeting with tech industry leaders the day before. During his speech, Trump insisted tariffs would generate significant revenue for the US and hinted at possible hikes. “The tariffs are going…
Author: Kanika Sharma
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Jio and SpaceX Sign Landmark Agreement Mukesh Ambani-led Jio partners with SpaceX to introduce Starlink’s satellite internet services in India. The agreement, revealed on Wednesday, comes just a day after rival Bharti Airtel signed a similar deal with SpaceX. The collaboration is subject to regulatory approval, allowing both companies to explore how Starlink’s technology can complement Jio’s existing services. In return, Jio will support SpaceX’s efforts to expand internet access for businesses and consumers across India. Expanding Internet Access Across India Jio Platforms Limited plans to distribute Starlink solutions through its retail stores and online platforms. The partnership will leverage…
Bharti Airtel announced on Tuesday that it has signed an agreement with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring Starlink satellite internet services to India. This highly anticipated launch marks a significant step toward expanding internet connectivity in the world’s most populous country as Airtel partners with SpaceX. Regulatory Approvals Still Pending Starlink has long sought entry into India but has faced regulatory hurdles. A key point of contention has been the allocation of spectrum for satellite services, with rival telecom giant Reliance Jio advocating for an auction-based model. However, the Indian government has supported Musk’s stance that spectrum should be assigned…
NASA Key Science and Policy Offices Shut Down NASA is eliminating its chief scientist position and closing a key policy office in a restructuring move that affects 23 employees, the agency announced on Monday. The cuts include the Office of the Chief Scientist, the Office of Science, Policy, and Strategy, and the diversity, equity, and inclusion branch within the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. NASA’s acting administrator, Janet Petro, informed employees of the changes via email, which was reviewed by Reuters. A NASA spokesperson later confirmed the layoffs, marking a significant shift in the agency’s approach to scientific and…
SpaceX Starship Explosion Forces Flight Diversions The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed on Friday that the SpaceX Starship explosion the previous day disrupted 240 flights. Among these, more than two dozen planes had to divert due to concerns about space debris. The incident marked the second consecutive test flight failure for Starship. The FAA issued ground stops lasting over an hour for flights departing from four major Florida airports: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Palm Beach. The disruption resulted in 171 delayed departures, 28 diversions, and 40 airborne flights held for an average of 22 minutes while the FAA’s…
New Insights into Lunar Plasma Dynamics from Chandrayaan 2 Scientists from the Space Physics Laboratory (SPL) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) have made a groundbreaking discovery using India’s Chandrayaan-2 (CH-2) orbiter. Their research reveals that the Moon’s ionosphere experiences unexpectedly high electron densities when it moves through Earth’s geomagnetic tail. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about lunar plasma behaviour and suggests that remnant magnetic fields in the Moon’s crust play a more significant role than previously believed. Innovative Radio Signal Experiment Sheds Light To study plasma distribution around the Moon, researchers used an advanced technique involving S-band Telemetry…
Euro Extends Gains Amid German Spending Plans The euro reached a four-month high against the US dollar on Thursday, driven by a surge in European bond yields. The rise followed Germany’s proposal for a €500 billion ($539.85 billion) infrastructure fund and changes to its borrowing limits. Investors reacted positively to the news, viewing it as a sign of increased fiscal stimulus in the eurozone. Meanwhile, the US dollar remained under pressure, hovering near a four-month low against a basket of major currencies. This came after the US administration granted Canada and Mexico a one-month exemption from auto import tariffs. The…
Thales CEO Raises Concerns Over Starlink’s Business Model Thales CEO, one of Europe’s largest satellite manufacturers, has cautioned governments about the risks of relying too heavily on private satellite networks. CEO Patrice Caine raised concerns about the sustainability of such models, in what appeared to be a reference to Elon Musk’s Starlink. Speaking at a results briefing on Tuesday, Caine questioned the long-term viability of Starlink’s frequent satellite renewals and uncertain profitability. Without directly naming Starlink, he warned of the risks associated with outsourcing critical government communications to private entities. “Government actors need reliability, visibility, and stability,” Caine said. “A…
European Defence Stocks Leads Market Rally European stock markets soared to record highs on Monday, driven by expectations of increased military spending across the region. Hopes for a Ukraine peace proposal also contributed to the positive rise of European defence stocks. Germany’s blue-chip index DAX logged its largest single-day gain since November 2022, closing at a record high. Britain’s FTSE 100 also ended at an all-time high. Meanwhile, the pan-European STOXX 600 index extended its winning streak, rising 1.1% to another record close after 10 consecutive weeks of gains. Over the weekend, leaders of major European economies committed to boosting…
Demonstrators Oppose Trump Administration Cuts to Scientific Workforce More than 1,000 protesters gathered outside a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) building in Boulder, Colorado, on Monday, opposing layoffs ordered by the Trump administration. According to two current employees, the cuts affected more than 10% of scientists working at the facility. The protest was organised by former US Congressman David Skaggs, a Colorado Democrat, after learning about the job losses. Skaggs, for whom the NOAA building is named, initially expected around 100 attendees. However, police estimated the crowd at over 1,000. Skaggs said the high turnout reflected growing concerns over…