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…
Author: Kanika Sharma
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China to Welcome First Foreign Astronaut Aboard Tiangong Space Station China’s space station is set to host its first foreign astronaut in the coming years, according to state news agency Xinhua. The milestone follows an agreement signed between China and Pakistan on Friday to collaborate on astronaut selection and training. China and Pakistan Strengthen Space Cooperation The agreement marks a significant step in China’s growing space diplomacy. Pakistan, a long-time ally of China, has been working to enhance its space capabilities by engaging in Chinese-led initiatives. The new cooperation will see Pakistan select astronauts for training in China, preparing them…
Microsoft to Shut Down Skype on May 5 After Two Decades Microsoft has announced that it will retire Skype on May 5, marking the end of an era for the internet calling service that transformed global communication. The move aims to streamline Microsoft’s communication platforms and prioritise its Teams service. Microsoft Shifts Focus to Teams Microsoft stated on Friday that shutting down Skype will help the company focus on its homegrown Teams platform. The software giant has been integrating Teams deeply with its Office suite, making it the preferred communication tool for businesses. Founded in 2003, Skype revolutionised voice and…
Markets React as Trump’s Tariff Plans Shake Investor Confidence Investors reacted nervously to US President Donald Trump’s tariff plan, triggering a sell-off in risk-sensitive currencies and cryptocurrencies. The market turmoil saw the US dollar strengthen as a safe-haven asset while Bitcoin and other digital assets experienced sharp declines. Cryptocurrencies Suffer Heavy Losses Bitcoin (BTC) tumbled over 5% on Friday, dropping to $79,650.40—its lowest level since November. Ether (ETH) followed suit, falling more than 5% to a 13-month low of $2,127.41. Both cryptocurrencies were on track for their steepest monthly declines since June 2022. The sharp pullback followed optimism late last…
Aleksei Andriunin Faces Wire Fraud and Market Manipulation Allegations Aleksei Andriunin, the founder and CEO of cryptocurrency financial services firm Gotbit, has been extradited from Portugal to the U.S. to face charges of market manipulation and wire fraud. The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Andriunin, a 26-year-old Russian national, appeared in a Boston federal court on Wednesday, where he pleaded not guilty. Andriunin is accused of engaging in fraudulent practices to manipulate the market for digital tokens on behalf of his clients. His lawyer, Roger Burlingame of Dechert law firm, declined to comment on the case. Operation Token Mirrors…
Intuitive Machines Athena Lander Begins Journey to the Moon Intuitive Machines successfully launched its second moon lander, Athena, on Wednesday aboard a SpaceX rocket. The mission marks the latest private US moonshot, following the company’s first attempt last year, which ended with a toppled landing. Athena, a six-legged lander about the height of a giraffe, will take approximately a week to reach the moon. It is scheduled to land on March 6 at Mons Mouton, a flat-topped mountain located roughly 100 miles (160 km) from the lunar south pole. The lander carries various scientific instruments, including a hopper rover designed…
China to Integrate Solid-State Batteries into EVs by 2027 China is set to introduce solid-state batteries in new energy vehicles (NEVs) by 2027, with mass production and widespread adoption expected by 2030. This announcement was made in Beijing on Tuesday by a representative from China EV100, a leading NEV industry think tank. Advantages of Solid-State Batteries Compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries offer several key advantages. They provide higher safety, greater energy density, longer lifespan, and faster charging speeds. These improvements could significantly enhance the performance and reliability of electric vehicles (EVs), making them more efficient and appealing to…
Global Markets slide Amid U.S.-China Tech War and Rate Cut Bets Asian markets opened the day in sharp decline as investors reacted to escalating tensions between the U.S. and China. Washington is tightening restrictions on semiconductor exports, particularly targeting AI chips from Nvidia, according to a Bloomberg report. Markets slide, signalling a deepening technology war that now spans artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and aerospace. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index initially plunged by 2.7%, led by an 8% drop in Alibaba shares following a 10% decline in its U.S.-listed counterpart. However, losses later eased as investors bought the dip, with Hong…
Tesla’s Autopilot Update in China Disappoints Owners Amid AI Restrictions Tesla’s Autopilot update in China, is introducing a city navigation feature. However, the update has left many Chinese Tesla owners frustrated, as it falls short of the promises made by CEO Elon Musk. Limited Features Compared to U.S. Version Tesla’s new Autopilot update includes automatic lane-changing, traffic light detection, and an in-car camera to monitor driver attention. While these features resemble those in the company’s “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) system, they are less advanced than the U.S. version. A source familiar with the matter attributed this to insufficient data training on…
Trump Signs Order to Restrict Chinese Investments in U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a memorandum directing the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to impose new restrictions on Chinese investments in strategic industries. The move, aimed at safeguarding national security, could further escalate economic tensions between the U.S. and China. Protecting U.S. Interests from Foreign Influence The White House described the national security memorandum as a measure to balance foreign investment with national security concerns. According to a White House official, the directive specifically targets China, accusing it of leveraging U.S. capital and technology to strengthen…