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Part of Space Pioneer rocket crashes in central China Beijing Tianbing Technology Co said on Sunday that the first stage of its Tianlong-3 rocket under development had detached from its launch pad during a test due to structural failure and landed in a hilly area of the city of Gongyi in central China. There were no reports of casualties after an initial investigation, Beijing Tianbing, also known as Space Pioneer, said in a statement on its official WeChat account. Parts of the rocket stage were scattered within a "safe area" but caused a local fire, according to a separate statement by the Gongyi emergency management bureau. The fire has since been extinguished and no one has been hurt, the bureau said. Read: NASA hit with $80,000 claim after space debris crashes into family home The two-stage Tianlong-3 ("Sky Dragon 3") is a partly reusable rocket under development by Space Pioneer, one of a small group of rapidly growing private-sector rocket makers over the p...

Mario & Luigi: Brothership to release in November this year Fans of the Mario brothers can rejoice as the highly anticipated Mario & Luigi: Brothership is now available for preorders and is slated for release on November 7 for the Nintendo Switch. The game's surprise reveal during the latest Nintendo Direct event has generated significant excitement, especially considering the original developer, AlphaDream, filed for bankruptcy in 2019. According to reports from The Verge and GameSpot, the announcement of Brothership follows the modernized versions of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Super Mario RPG, marking Nintendo's revival of the beloved Mario & Luigi series with a fresh installment. Brothership signifies not only the return of the Mario Bros. role-playing series but also its debut on a home console, though it remains fully playable on a portable device. In this new adventure, Mario and Luigi commandeer their own sailing ship to explore a new world fil...

Tech boom drives global markets in first half of 2024 The unstoppable march of the mega caps, sloth-like central bank pivots, political palpitations aplenty and M&A is back - the first half of 2024 has been another whirlwind in world markets. Forecasts for a global interest-rate-cutting frenzy may not have materialized, but Nvidia  and the rest of the Magnificent 7 soared another $3.6 trillion in market value. MSCI's 47-country world stocks index has clocked up a punchy 11% since January. Good yes, but nowhere near the 30% leap of team tech, or the frankly eye-popping 150% gain of chip champ Nvidia. "Thirty percent of the S&P's returns this year have come from Nvidia alone," the chief investment officer of IBOSS Asset Management Chris Metcalfe said, pointing out it was now the most expensive stock on the most expensive market in the world. Read: Nvidia eclipses Microsoft as world's most valuable companyhttps://tribune.com.pk/story/2472346/nvidia-eclipses...

Kosovo bans TikTok use by government institutions citing security risks The Kosovo government said Friday that government institutions would be banned from using the popular social media app TikTok, citing security risks. The move is the latest in a series of policies and threats targeting the China-based app by governments worldwide, on fears that personal data could be accessible by Chinese authorities. "All public institutions that own and administer state communication networks are obliged to impose the necessary technical restrictions to stop the operation of the services of the social network 'TikTok' in official workplaces," Prime Minister Albin Kurti's office said in a statement. The statement cited "cyberthreats" emanating from the app as the reason for the ban. The new policy also stated that employees in government institutions must delete the app from their work phones and other official devices. The move comes months after the US governmen...

EU scrutinises AI agreements between Microsoft, OpenAI, Google, Samsung Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI could face an EU antitrust investigation as regulators singled out their exclusivity clauses while Google's artificial intelligence deal with Samsung also triggered scrutiny. EU antitrust regulators will seek additional third-party views, EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager said on Friday. The moves underscore the unease among regulators worldwide on Big Tech leveraging its dominance into the new technology, echoing the companies' market power in other sectors. Vestager in March sent questionnaires to Microsoft, Google, Meta's Facebook and ByteDance's TikTok as well as other big tech companies related to their AI partnerships. "We have reviewed the replies, and are now sending a follow-up request for information on the agreement between Microsoft and OpenAI. To understand whether certain exclusivity clauses could have a negative effect on competitor...

Genome study intensifies mystery of what led to extinction of mammoths About 4,000 years ago, the last of Earth's woolly mammoths died out on a lonely Arctic Ocean island off the coast of Siberia, a melancholy end to one of the world's charismatic Ice Age animals. But what doomed this last mammoth population on Wrangel Island? A new genomic analysis deepens the mystery. The study offers the fullest account to date of the inbreeding, deleterious mutations and low genetic diversity experienced by this population during 6,000 years of isolation on the island but concluded that, despite previous suggestions, these factors are unlikely to have doomed the Wrangel mammoths. "This suggests that something else, and very sudden, caused the population to collapse," said evolutionary geneticist Marianne Dehasque of Uppsala University in Sweden, lead author of the study published on Thursday in the journal Cell, opens new tab. The researchers examined genome data obtained from t...

James Webb Telescope uncovers surprising structures in Jupiter’s upper atmosphere Astronomers have uncovered unexpected structures in Jupiter’s upper atmosphere using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced Tuesday. "Scientists have found intricate features above Jupiter’s famous Great Red Spot," said ESA Webb Telescope on X. Previously thought to be "unremarkable," the region hosts "intricate features, including dark arcs and bright spots," it said in a report. Read: Hubble captures stunning images of Jupiter "We thought this region, perhaps naively, would be really boring," said team leader Henrik Melin of the University of Leicester, according to ESA. "It is in fact just as interesting as the northern lights, if not more so. Jupiter never ceases to surprise," Melin added. These findings suggest that gravity waves, "similar to waves crashing on a beach," play a significant rol...

YouTube rolls out picture-in- picture option for shorts YouTube has officially introduced picture-in-picture (PiP) viewing for Shorts, allowing users to consume Shorts content while multitasking on their devices. The platform is also testing a new way to mention other users in comments and enabling Shorts downloads for Premium members. According to the social media today platform, the premium subscribers can now minimize the Shorts viewing window and continue using other apps. "Get ready to multitask like a pro with our new picture-in-picture feature for YouTube Shorts! On Android devices, you can watch your favorite Shorts while browsing other apps or checking messages. It’s perfect for staying entertained without missing a beat," YouTube announced. Read: Google ordered to pay Australian politician over defamatory YouTube videos With rising consumption of Shorts, YouTube has been developing this feature for some time. The platform also launched its @mention test, which all...

Meta to restrict news content from Facebook in Australia Facebook owner Meta (META.O), opens new tab is considering blocking news content from the platform in Australia if the government makes it pay licensing fees, a company representative told a parliamentary hearing on Friday. Meta's regional policy director Mia Garlick told lawmakers "all options are on the table" when asked if the company would block Australians from sharing news content to avoid paying fees. "There's a large number of channels that people can get news content from," Garlick told the inquiry. She said Meta was waiting for Canberra to decide if it would apply an untested 2021 law which gives the government the right to set the fees US tech giants pay media outlets for links. The comments are the strongest indication so far that Meta would take the same hardline approach in Australia it took in Canada in 2023 when that country introduced similar laws. Meta struck deals with Australian m...

WhatsApp will no longer work on these iPhone, android devices this year One of the most widely used META-owned apps with two billion users globally, WhatsApp, will stop working on 35 older smartphone models by the end of this year. This update, impacting both Android and iPhone users, is part of WhatsApp's ongoing efforts to focus on devices that can support its latest features and security updates. Affected users should upgrade their smartphones to continue using the app without interruptions. Here are the names of all smartphones that will stop supporting WhatsApp Apple iPhone 5, iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone SE Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus, Galaxy Core, Galaxy Express 2, Galaxy Grand, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S3 Mini, Galaxy S4 Active, Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy S4 Zoom Motorola Moto G, Moto X Huawei Ascend P6 S, Ascend G525, C199, GX1s, Y625 Lenovo 46600, A858T, P70, S890, A820 Sony Xperia Z1, Xperia E3, Xperia M LG Optimus 4X HD, Optimus G, Optimus G Pro, Optimus L7 New Wh...

Türkiye to launch a series of Earth observing satellites Türkiye will boost its earth observation capabilities with a soon-to-be-launched series of new satellites. Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacir, told Anadolu that the new and indigenous Imece satellite project, consisting of two new satellite series, will be commissioned within four years. “A significant part of our country’s high-resolution Earth observation needs will be met by domestic means,” he said. The project for the new series of two satellites will be followed up with the renewal projects of the Gokturk observation satellites, while work is currently underway on other CubeSats and small satellites. Kacir highlighted the launch of the Turksat 6A, the country’s first indigenous communications satellite, in July, marking an important milestone. Read: Crew with first astronaut from Turkey launched on flight to space station He said following the success of Turksat 6A, new opportunities in space will bec...

EU endorses €650 billion plan for cities to achieve net zero by 2030 A group of 112 cities aiming to eliminate their net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 will need a combined 650 billion euros ($695.83 billion) in investments to deliver the pledge, a European Union initiative said on Wednesday. Part of the EU's "100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities' Mission", the cities' net-zero emissions goal is more ambitious than that of most governments, with the 27-country EU and Britain both setting a 2050 deadline. After 377 cities applied to join the programme, 100 from the bloc and 12 from associated countries were chosen and are developing a climate plan with support from the EU and non-profit advisory firm Bankers without Boundaries (BwB). That plan is then turned into an investment blueprint assessed by the European Commission and independent experts before the city is given a label to affirm the fact. To date, 33 cities have had their plans signed off, including Ly...

Scientists tag Rhino horns with radioactive stuff to halt poaching South African scientists on Tuesday injected radioactive material into live rhino horns to make them easier to detect at border posts in a pioneering project aimed at curbing poaching. The country is home to a large majority of the world's rhinos and as such is a hotspot for poaching driven by demand from Asia, where horns are used in traditional medicine for their supposed therapeutic effect. At the Limpopo rhino orphanage in the Waterberg area, in the country's northeast, a few of the thick-skinned herbivores grazed in the low savannah. James Larkin, director of the University of the Witwatersrand's radiation and health physics unit who spearheaded the initiative, told AFP he had put "two tiny little radioactive chips in the horn" as he administered the radioisotopes on one of the large animals' horns. Read: Poaching poses serious threat to rare species of sea turtles The radioactive materi...

Google ends continuous scrolling on search results Google is discontinuing continuous scrolling on search results, according to a report from Search Engine Land publishd in tech website, The verge. The feature, which mimicked the endless scrolling of social media feeds, was introduced for mobile search results in October 2021 and later for desktop results in late 2022. Read: From classroom to excellence: Google for education in Punjab A Google spokesperson reportedly told Search Engine Land that continuous scrolling is being removed from desktop search results today. The feature will be removed from mobile results “in the coming months.” In place of continuous scrolling, Google will reinstate its classic pagination bar on desktop. This will allow users to jump to a specific page of search results or click “Next” to see the following page. On mobile devices, a “More results” button will appear at the bottom of the search page to load additional results. Google stated, “This change is ...

Japan urged to triple renewables capacity by 2035 Hundreds of multinational corporations on Tuesday urged Japan to triple its capacity to generate renewable power by 2035, as the heavily coal-dependent country updates its energy policy. Dubbed RE100, the group of more than 400 large companies that have committed to work towards using all-renewable electricity includes 87 Japanese firms such as Sony and Panasonic. "By increasing its domestic renewables capacity, Japan can significantly improve its energy security, safeguard its international competitiveness, and increase private investment in more renewables projects," the group said. Read: Renewable energy sources: Pakistan should turn to China It called for Japan to use its Strategic Energy Plan -- set to be unveiled later this year -- to triple installed renewables capacity from 121 gigawatts in 2022 to 363 gigawatts before 2035. At the COP28 climate talks in December, nearly 120 nations including Japan pledged to triple ...

US elections: How serious of a threat is AI? Artificial intelligence (AI) has been all the talk since the advent of AI language model ChatGPT, which brought the technology into the mainstream. The possibility of AI replacing human jobs one day has led to ever-rising anxiety in the workforce all around the world. Nevertheless, it is not just the average Joe's job that might be at stake — AI may well be instrumental dethroning US President Joe Biden, or keep him in the Oval Office, considering the unprecedented speed at which the technology is advancing. AI-based manipulation methods and deepfakes, which are footage or content that looks or sounds convincing enough to fool at least some voters, pose a substantial threat, experts speaking to Anadolu said. Sam Gregory, an AI expert who is also the executive director of technology advocacy website witness.org, mentioned last year's parliamentary polls in Slovakia, where he said "significant" election manipulation has bee...

Ketamine pill treats depression without psychedelic effects: study A new pill that slowly releases ketamine could treat people with severe depression without giving them the psychedelic side effects of the often-misused drug, early trial results suggested on Monday. First developed in the 1960s as an anaesthetic, ketamine's hallucinogenic and dissociative effects led to it becoming a party drug dubbed "Special K". However, mounting research has demonstrated that ketamine is effective for the roughly quarter of people suffering from depression who see little benefit from common anti-depressant drugs. In many countries, ketamine has been prescribed for depression for years. US billionaire Elon Musk told CNN in March that he regularly uses a small amount of prescribed ketamine because it is "helpful for getting one out of the negative frame of mind". The drug has long been administered intravenously in clinics, but more recently a nasal spray using a derivative c...

Mello: Three Times Faster charger weighs only 28 grams In a world where technology and connectivity have become indispensable, a revolutionary product has emerged to meet the demand for efficient and stylish charging solutions. Introducing Mello, the world's sleekest high-speed charger, now available in over 180 countries. This patented marvel is not just another charger; it's a game-changer that combines power, portability, and panache. A Small Charger with a Big Personality Mello is designed to be your ultimate charging companion, fitting seamlessly into your pocket yet packing enough power to supercharge your devices. Its universal compatibility means it can charge smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, eliminating the need for multiple chargers and simplifying your tech life. With Mello, you can say goodbye to the clutter of tangled cables and hello to a streamlined, efficient charging experience. But Mello is more than just a powerhouse; it’s a statement piece. Its slee...

Tesla car battery failure traps toddler in US heatwave A 20-month-old girl faced a life-threatening situation when she became trapped inside a Tesla Model Y due to a sudden battery failure during an intense heatwave in Arizona, United States. Renee Sanchez, the girl's grandmother, recounted to a local news outlet that she placed the toddler in the car seat before realizing the car had completely lost power. Sanchez found herself unable to open the car using either her phone key or card key. The exact timing of the incident remains unclear. Left with no other option, Sanchez contacted the local fire department for assistance. Firefighters were initially unable to access the Tesla and had to break a window with an axe to rescue the trapped toddler. Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters expressed difficulty in opening Tesla cars. The girl was safely rescued despite the challenge of accessing the car's interior latch and cable due to the locked state of the vehicle. Reports in...

Facebook declines climate change ads, citing ‘sensitive’ content policy: report Facebook, owned by Meta Platforms, has declined advertisements promoting climate change stories, citing its policy on “sensitive” topics, according to a report by Radio New Zealand. James Frankham, the publisher of New Zealand Geographic, criticized Facebook's opaque algorithm for obstructing crucial journalism. He noted that changes to Meta’s algorithm have made it necessary to pay for visibility of the magazine's content. “It’s impossible to find out exactly why posts were rejected,” Frankham said, calling the Facebook algorithm a “black box.” Facebook’s policy requires authorization for advertising on sensitive, political, or social issues, including climate change. According to Meta’s policy for New Zealand, ads involving discussion, debate, or advocacy on topics like climate change and gas extraction are subject to review and enforcement. Media commentators, including Colin Peacock from RNZ’s...

Chinese robots with AI, captivate attention of the world With her sleek shoulder-length hair, high heels, figure-hugging outfit and flawless makeup, Xiaoqi stands elegantly in the exhibition hall, ready to answer a myriad of questions. She is kind, empathetic and knowledgeable. But here's the twist: Xiaoqi isn't human. She is a humanoid robot created by Ex-Robots, a company based in China's northeastern city of Dalian, as advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics have brought these machines from the pages of novels and the screens of movies into practical, real-world applications. Xiaoqi has been charming crowds at the 2024 World Intelligence Expo, which runs from Thursday to Sunday in north China's Tianjin Municipality. "Currently, we produce 400 to 500 robots per year," said Qu Yan, who is in charge of media relations at Ex-Robots. "Our company designs more human-like robots, with enhanced facial expressions and the ability to foster a...

Neuralink breakthrough: Paralyzed patient controls computer with thoughts Noland Arbaugh, the first person to receive Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip, expressed profound admiration for the technology, calling it indescribably amazing. In an exclusive interview with NewsNation's Chris Cuomo, Arbaugh demonstrated how the implanted chip allows him to control a computer mouse pointer simply by imagining its movements, despite being paralyzed from the shoulders down. Despite initial issues with his implant, Arbaugh has successfully used the chip to communicate with loved ones, read books, and play games. He described the process as effortless during his appearance on "CUOMO."         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by NewsNation (@newsnationnow) Following a setback with Arbaugh's implant, Neuralink has obtained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to proceed with a second...

China achieves milestone as reusable carrier rocket completes first 10-km VTOL test China's reusable carrier rocket successfully completed a 10-km vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) flight test at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Sunday. It marks the country's largest VTOL flight test for a reusable carrier rocket, and also the first application of its domestically developed deep variable-thrust liquid oxygen-methane (LOX/Methane) engine on a 10-km return flight. Developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, the carrier rocket features a 3.8-meter diameter rocket body, powered by three 70-tonne LOX/Methane engines and equipped with a full-size landing buffer system. Read:China's Long March-6C rocket makes maiden flight The rocket achieved vertical soft landing at a fixed point through take-off, ascent and variable-thrust descent. The test fully verified the rocket's VTOL configuration, heavy-load landing buffer technology, reu...

Nearby galaxy's dormant black hole shows signs of awakening In December 2019, astronomers using the Zwicky Transient Facility, located on California's Palomar Mountain, detected an unexpected burst of light from a distant galaxy in Virgo, about 300 million light-years away. This flare, which has persisted with fluctuations over the past four years, defies conventional cosmic phenomena due to its prolonged duration. According to Paula Sánchez-Sáez of the European Southern Observatory, the galaxy SDSS1335+0728 hosts a massive dormant black hole at its center. The flare is theorized to be caused by the black hole awakening from dormancy and devouring surrounding gas, which heats up intensely before falling into the black hole. This phenomenon, if confirmed, would mark the first direct observation of a black hole transitioning from a dormant state to an active phase. The black hole in question is significantly larger than our Sun, and had been dormant for at least two decades bef...

OpenAI acquires Rockset in nine-figure stock deal, sources reveal Microsoft-backed OpenAI has acquired search and database analytics startup Rockset to provide better infrastructure for its enterprise products, the ChatGPT maker said on Friday. The companies did not disclose the deal size. OpenAI used its shares to buy the company in a stock deal that valued Rockset at a few hundred millions, marking it one of its largest acquisitions by the fast rising AI lab, according to sources familiar with the matter. OpenAI declined to comment on deal details. The company was last valued at $86 billion in a tender offer by investors earlier this year. Rockset, founded by former engineers at Meta, builds real-time search and analytics databases, and has benefited from the use of artificial intelligence in applications from chatbots and detecting anomalies. Backed by Greylock, Sequoia and Hewlett Packard Enterprise's venture capital arm, Rockset said last year it had raised $105 million in t...