Author: Resham

China Tightens Rare Earth Controls to Strengthen Supply Grip China, the world’s leading supplier of rare earths, announced new measures on Friday to further tighten its control over these critical minerals. The updated rules now include imported raw materials in the country’s existing quota system for mining, smelting, and separation. This move comes as part of a broader strategy to secure China’s role in the global energy transition. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology shared the changes following a public consultation that started in February. Analysts say the inclusion of imported ore suggests a deeper effort to limit overall…

Russia to Mandate Pre-Installation of State-Backed MAX Messenger on All Devices From 1st September 2025, all mobile phones and tablets sold in Russia will be required to include the government-backed application MAX messenger, according to a statement issued by the Russian government on Thursday. MAX Messenger Positioned as Rival to WhatsApp and Telegram The MAX messenger app has been promoted as Russia’s alternative to foreign-owned platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram. Critics, however, have raised concerns that the app could be used for surveillance, given its state-controlled nature and integration with government services. The move comes shortly after Russia restricted…

Lunar Discovery Pushes Back Date of Moon’s Early Impacts by 100 Million Years Chinese and international scientists have determined that the Apollo Basin, a massive impact site on the far side of the moon, was formed around 4.16 billion years ago. This key finding, published in Nature Astronomy, is based on lunar samples collected during China’s Chang’e-6 mission in 2024. The discovery offers valuable insight into the Late Heavy Bombardment (LHB), a period marked by intense asteroid strikes across the solar system. The Apollo Basin, situated within the vast South Pole-Aitken Basin, is believed to have formed during the early…

Humanoid Robots Steal the Show at Taiwan Robotics Expo 2025 The Taiwan Automation Intelligence and Robot Show 2025 (Taiwan Robotics Expo 2025) opened in Taipei on Wednesday, 20th August, showcasing the latest advances in humanoid robotics and artificial intelligence. The four-day exhibition, which runs until 23rd August, has drawn large crowds eager to witness futuristic robots in action. Humanoids on Display in Taipei Robots at the event demonstrated lifelike movements, including walking, gesturing, and picking up objects. These displays highlighted the rapid progress in robotics, where human-like machines are increasingly being designed for practical use in industries and service sectors.…

Researchers Pioneer Drone-Based “Tap-and-Go” Whale Tagging Scientists have developed an innovative “tap-and-go” method to tag whales using drones, offering a less invasive and faster approach to studying marine mammals. The breakthrough, published in PLOS One, comes from Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative), a research effort dedicated to decoding sperm whale communication through non-invasive technologies. A Gentler, Faster Alternative to Traditional Tagging Traditionally, researchers have relied on pole tagging from boats, which requires close approaches and can disturb the animals. The new technique, tested on sperm whales off Dominica, instead uses modified First Person View (FPV) racing drones to place suction-based…

China Urges Companies to Steer Clear of Nvidia H20 Chips Chinese authorities have reportedly advised local firms to avoid using Nvidia H20 processors, especially in government-related projects. According to Bloomberg News, the guidance applies to both state-owned enterprises and private companies, with a particularly strict warning against deploying the chips in work linked to national security. Guidance Targets Less-Advanced Nvidia Chips Notices have been sent to a range of companies discouraging the use of the Nvidia H20 semiconductors. While the H20 is considered less advanced than Nvidia’s top-tier processors, the advisory signals Beijing’s caution over technology linked to sensitive operations.…

Chang’e-6 Samples Reveal Chemically ‘Super-Reduced’ Lunar Mantle Chinese scientists have found evidence of a “super-reduced” state in the Moon’s mantle after analysing samples collected from the lunar far side by the Chang’e-6 mission. The discovery, announced by the China National Space Administration’s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre, offers new insight into the Moon’s deep composition and its evolutionary history. A Drier, More Chemically Reduced Mantle Published in Nature Communications, the study shows that mantle material beneath the Chang’e-6 landing site is not only drier and more depleted than samples from the Moon’s near side, but also exists in a…

Global Robotics Leaders Gather at Beijing E-Town The World Robot Conference (WRC) 2025 opened in Beijing on Friday, drawing global attention with over 100 new robotics products making their debut—nearly double the number from last year. The event is being held in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town, and runs from Friday to Tuesday. This year’s theme, “Making Robots Smarter, Making Embodied Agents More Intelligent,” reflects the growing focus on advanced robotics and AI integration. The conference features forums, exhibitions, competitions, and networking sessions. Over 200 Robotics Firms and 1,500 Exhibits More than 200 top robotics…

Strong momentum fuels technological advances in China’s robotics China’s robotics industry has seen remarkable growth since early 2025. With constant innovation and industrial upgrades, the sector is expanding rapidly across multiple regions. Technological breakthroughs are now entering practical use, driving new waves of development. Data reveals that more than 50 application scenarios have been tested nationwide. These span various subfields, showing how advanced robotics is becoming integrated into everyday functions. Yao Qizhi, dean at Tsinghua University’s Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences and School of Artificial Intelligence, noted the wide scope of these changes. He highlighted the improved stability and flexibility…

Russian Man Detained Over Alleged Satellite Espionage for the U.S. A former employee at a Russian satellite technology firm has been arrested on suspicion of treason. Authorities allege he passed sensitive information to the United States. A court in Kaliningrad confirmed on Wednesday that the man, identified only as “O”, will remain in pre-trial detention until 30 September. Accused of Spying for U.S. Intelligence According to a statement from the Kaliningrad court, the suspect previously worked for a company that develops electronic engines used in space satellites. Investigators believe he collected and stored classified data about the company’s technology for…