SpaceX Launches Successful Mission Despite Weather Concerns An international team of four astronauts, Crew-11, safely reached the International Space Station (ISS) early on Saturday, August 2. They launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule, beginning a routine NASA mission that may last longer than usual. The crew lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 11:43 a.m. ET on Friday, August 1. Despite gloomy weather, the Falcon 9 rocket carried them smoothly into orbit. The successful launch came after an earlier attempt on Thursday had to be cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Meet the Crew of Mission Crew-11…
Author: Kanika Sharma
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NASA and Russia Leaders Meet to Discuss Space Cooperation NASA’s temporary chief met face-to-face with the head of Russia’s space agency in Florida on Thursday, marking a rare moment of cooperation amid global tensions. The meeting took place at the Kennedy Space Center, where representatives from NASA and Russia, Sean Duffy and Roscosmos director Dmitry Bakanov talked about continued collaboration on the International Space Station (ISS) and potential joint efforts on the Moon. This was the first direct meeting between the two agencies’ leaders since 2018. It also came shortly after Duffy was appointed acting NASA administrator earlier this month,…
Elon Musk’s xAI to Sign EU AI Code Chapter on Safety and Security Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, announced on Thursday that it will sign the safety and security chapter of the European Union’s Code of Practice. This voluntary code is designed to help AI firms align with the EU’s upcoming artificial intelligence regulations. The EU code, created by 13 independent experts, includes three chapters: transparency, copyright, and safety and security. xAI’s decision to sign only the safety and security section reflects its selective support for the EU’s AI framework. Safety Commitment Amid Broader Criticism xAI stated on social…
China Questions Nvidia’s H20 AI Chip Over Security Concerns China has raised security concerns about Nvidia H20 artificial intelligence chip, just weeks after the US reversed a ban on its sale to the Chinese market. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the country’s internet watchdog, said it was worried the chip could pose backdoor risks and compromise user privacy. These concerns add fresh uncertainty to Nvidia’s operations in China, where the company has already faced challenges due to ongoing tensions between the US and Chinese governments. CAC Summons Nvidia Over Chip Security On Thursday, CAC summoned Nvidia for a meeting…
NASA Interim Head Seeks Cooperation with Russia on Space Despite Broader Tensions NASA interim leader, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, announced plans to engage in direct talks with Russian space agency Roscosmos this week. His aim is to find common ground on shared space interests, despite deep disagreements between the US and Russia over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The meeting will be the first in-person dialogue between the heads of NASA and Roscosmos since 2018. Duffy will speak with Dmitry Bakanov, the current head of Roscosmos, in an effort to maintain cooperation on space initiatives, especially the International Space…
Supreme Court Rejects Uber’s Tax Appeal on Private Hire Contracts The UK Supreme Court has ruled that private-hire taxi operators like Uber outside London do not enter into contracts with passengers. This decision spares them from paying a 20% value added tax (VAT) on their profit margins. Uber Legal Challenge Ends in Defeat Uber brought the case following a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that classified its drivers as workers. That judgment affected Uber’s tax responsibilities and other obligations. In response, Uber aimed to clarify that private-hire operators, like itself, form contracts with passengers. London’s High Court agreed with Uber in…
US-EU Aircraft Tariff Deal Eases Trade Pressure on Aerospace Industry A new trade deal between the United States and the European Union has averted fresh tariffs on aircraft and related parts, protecting jet production and deliveries on both sides of the Atlantic. Announced on Sunday, the provisional agreement introduces a 15% import tariff on most EU goods but excludes aerospace, allowing duty-free trade in aircraft and components. European officials confirmed that the deal includes zero tariffs on aircraft, engines, spare parts, and items like landing gear and seats. These items had been at risk of higher costs, which could have…
India’s Bharatiya Antariksh Station to Launch First Module by 2028 India is preparing to launch its first space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), a modular orbital facility set to operate around 400 to 450 kilometres above Earth. Managed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the station will support human spaceflight missions for up to six months at a time. Initially planned for completion by 2030, the project now aims to be fully operational by 2035 due to delays linked to the Gaganyaan mission and the COVID-19 pandemic. Weighing 52 tonnes in total, the station will consist of five…
Sanseito’s Rise in Japan Signals Growing Support for Far-Right Politics Just one day after Japan’s upper house election, supporters of the far-right Sanseito Party gathered in Tokyo to celebrate an unexpected success. Sanseito’s rise, which champions a “Japanese First” approach, saw its seats in the 248-member chamber rise from one to 14. Growing Popularity Among Young Men Sanseito’s rise reflects a broader trend of increased backing for right-wing groups in global democracies. In Japan, the party’s message has struck a chord with younger voters, especially men. Yuta Kato, a Tokyo-based hairdresser, is one such supporter. He feels increasingly frustrated by…
India and the United Kingdom have signed a long-anticipated free trade agreement (FTA), marking a new chapter in economic cooperation between the two major economies. The deal, signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to the UK, will significantly reduce tariffs on goods including Scotch whisky, Indian textiles, and passenger vehicles. The accord comes after years of on-and-off negotiations and is the UK’s most substantial trade deal since its departure from the European Union in 2020. For India, it marks its most comprehensive agreement with a developed economy and may serve as a blueprint for future deals with the…