Category: Technology

A last-minute technical issue with the launchpad forced SpaceX to postpone its Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, delaying the long-awaited return of two astronauts stranded in orbit for nine months, Reuters reported. The Crew-10 launch, set for 7:48 pm ET (2348 GMT) from Kennedy Space Center, was meant to transport a replacement crew of four astronauts — two from NASA, one from JAXA, and one from Roscosmos. Their arrival would have allowed NASA’s Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to finally leave the ISS after being stuck there…

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Nasa is eliminating its chief scientist role and closing down an office that studies policy matters on space and technology, in a round of layoffs affecting 23 employees, the agency said on Monday. Nasa’s acting administrator Janet Petro told employees by email on Monday 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 would be closed. The email was seen by Reuters. A Nasa spokesperson confirmed the cuts and said 23 employees…

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A Nasa telescope embarked on a groundbreaking mission on Tuesday, launching from California to investigate the origins of the universe and search for hidden water reservoirs in the Milky Way, an essential component for life. The megaphone-shaped SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) was propelled into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base. During its planned two-year mission, the observatory will collect data on more than 450 million galaxies, as well as more than 100 million stars…

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A Nasa telescope embarked on a groundbreaking mission on Tuesday, launching from California to investigate the origins of the universe and search for hidden water reservoirs in the Milky Way, an essential component for life. The megaphone-shaped SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) was propelled into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base. During its planned two-year mission, the observatory will collect data on more than 450 million galaxies, as well as more than 100 million stars…

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WhatsApp Business has unveiled a new branding icon that will be visible across the app, including the home screen, splash screen, and notifications. The updated design replaces the previous version, which featured a “B” in the center of the logo, and adds a plus sign while retaining the overall shape of the Meta-owned instant-messaging app’s original logo. This small but significant change appears to represent growth, expansion, and the broader reach of businesses using the platform, WABetaInfo reported citing the latest WhatsApp Business beta for Android 2.25.7.6 update, which is available on…

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Spain’s government has approved a bill imposing heavy fines on companies that fail to label content created using artificial intelligence (AI), in an effort to curb the spread of “deepfakes.” The bill aligns with the European Union’s AI Act, which mandates stringent transparency measures for high-risk AI systems, Digital Transformation Minister Oscar Lopez told reporters. “AI is a very powerful tool that can be used to improve our lives … or to spread misinformation and attack democracy,” he said. Spain is among the first EU nations to implement the bloc’s…

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Indian telecom operator Bharti Airtel said on Tuesday it had signed an agreement with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring Starlink’s satellite internet service to customers in the world’s most populous country. The potential launch of Starlink, which provides high-speed internet access to remote locations by low Earth orbit satellites, has been accompanied by fierce political debate in India. Musk has butted heads with Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, over how the satellite spectrum should be awarded but also met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington last month. Indian media…

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The CEO of Chinese electric car manufacturer Xpeng views humanoid robots as a long-term project and is contemplating significant investments that might reach 100 billion yuan ($13.80 billion), the Chinese state media reported on Monday. On the sidelines of the annual parliamentary session, Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng stated that the company was prepared to make far larger investments, even though its current investment may be viewed as conservative because it was in the initial stages of entering the industry, according to the Securities Times. “Xpeng has been working in the humanoid…

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SAN FRANCISCO: A major cyberattack disrupted X, formerly Twitter, on Monday, affecting users worldwide, with Elon Musk suggesting the platform was deliberately targeted, though concerns remain over whether staff cuts under his leadership have weakened its security. Reports of problems with X started early on Monday, with users in Asia, Europe, and North America saying they could not access the platform, according to the Downdetector tracking site. “There was (still is) a massive cyberattack against X,” Musk said in a post on the platform, which was working sporadically as the…

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WhatsApp is introducing a revamped emoji reactions panel in the app’s chats, groups, and channels, which is currently being tested by beta users. Beta testers can explore this new and improved emoji reaction panel via the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.6.15 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, according to WABetaInfo. The Meta’s instant-messaging app’s new interface enhances the organisation of emoji reactions within chats, groups, and channels, allowing for easier navigation. Previously, reactions were displayed in a lengthy vertical list, making it difficult for users, particularly in highly active…

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