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…
Author: Kanika Sharma
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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…
Australia Fines Telegram for Delayed Response on Online Safety Australia fines Telegram A$1 million ($640,000) for failing to respond on time to inquiries about its measures to prevent child abuse and violent extremist content. The penalty underscores the country’s strict stance on tech companies’ responsibilities in tackling online harm. Telegram’s Delay Leads to Penalty In March 2024, the e-Safety Commission requested information from major social media platforms, including YouTube, X, Facebook, Telegram, and Reddit. The inquiry focused on their efforts to curb the spread of extremist content and child exploitation materials. While other companies responded within the deadline, Telegram did…
U.S. Pushes Ukraine for Critical Minerals, Raises Starlink Shutdown Threat U.S. Pressures Ukraine to grant access to its critical minerals by raising the possibility of cutting off Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service, according to sources familiar with the talks. Starlink, operated by Musk’s SpaceX, has been essential for Ukraine’s military and civilian communications since the Russian invasion in 2022. Starlink’s Role in Ukraine’s War Effort Starlink provides critical connectivity in Ukraine, enabling battlefield communication and the operation of drones—a key pillar of Kyiv’s military strategy. Losing access to the service would be a severe blow. “Ukraine runs on Starlink.…
AI-Powered Collaboration in Scientific Research Google has developed an advanced AI tool designed to act as a virtual collaborator for biomedical scientists, the company announced on Wednesday. The new technology, tested by researchers at Stanford University and Imperial College London, uses sophisticated reasoning to help scientists process vast amounts of literature and generate innovative hypotheses. With AI becoming more prevalent in various industries—from customer service to legal research—Google aims to harness its potential for scientific discovery. This latest development comes from DeepMind, Google’s AI division, which has prioritized science as a key area of focus. Google AI’s Role in Biomedical…
Government Moves to Dismiss Lawsuit Against Musk’s Space Company The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) announced on Thursday that it would drop its lawsuit against SpaceX, which accused the company of refusing to hire certain immigrants. The case, filed during President Joe Biden’s administration, alleged that the space technology company had unlawfully restricted employment opportunities for asylum seekers and refugees. Legal Proceedings Come to an End Government lawyers, in a court filing in Brownsville, Texas, requested to lift the pause in proceedings so they could officially dismiss the case. The DOJ stated it would do so “with prejudice,” meaning the lawsuit…
Poland Investigates Possible SpaceX Rocket Debris Near Poznań Poland space agency, POLSA, is investigating whether an unidentified object found near Poznań on Wednesday is debris from Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. A second identical object was later discovered in a nearby forest, prompting further scrutiny. Suspicious Objects Discovered in Two Locations in Poland The first object, resembling a container, appeared on the premises of a company in Komorniki, near Poznań. Later in the day, police found a second similar object in a forest in Wiry, approximately 30 km (19 miles) away. Authorities have secured both sites while investigations continue.…