Mondo News

EU Launches Investigation into Google’s ‘Demotion’ of News Media Commercial Content

Posted on November 13, 2025 by

The European Union has initiated an investigation into Google Search amid worries that the US tech giant may be “downgrading” commercial content from news media platforms.

The enforcement body of the bloc announced this move after monitoring revealed that various content produced in collaboration with advertisers and sponsors was ranked so low by Google that it essentially vanished from search results.

Officials from the European Commission indicated that this potentially unfair “loss of visibility and revenue” for media owners could stem from Google’s anti-spam policies.

According to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which governs competition within the tech sector, Google is required to provide “fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory conditions for access to publishers’ websites in Google Search”.

Committee officials clarified that the investigation does not pertain to the overall indexing of newspapers or Google search coverage but focuses specifically on commercial content supplied by third parties.

Media collaborations with firms selling products and services, from seasonal items to apparel, are described as “normal business practices in the offline world” and should be supported in equitable online ecosystems like Google, according to the officials.

For instance, a newspaper may partner with Nike to offer discounts, but evidence suggested that Google Search “demoted the newspaper’s subdomains to the extent that users could no longer access them.” This situation would also negatively impact newspapers.

“We are concerned that Google’s policies do not facilitate fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory treatment of news publishers in search results,” stated Teresa Rivera, European Commission vice-president for clean, fair, and competitive transition policy.

In the upcoming days, authorities will request publishers to present evidence regarding the effects on traffic and revenue resulting from the alleged violations of fair practices, according to the commission.

Rivera further remarked: “We will investigate to ensure news publishers are not losing essential revenue during a challenging time for the industry and to make certain that Google adheres to the Digital Markets Act.”

“We are taking measures today to guarantee that Digital Gatekeepers do not unreasonably hinder the ability of businesses relying on them to promote their products and services.”

In response, Google has criticized the EU investigation as “misguided” and “without merit”.

The company shared in a blog post: “Unfortunately, the investigation into our anti-spam efforts announced today is misguided and risks harming millions of users in Europe.

“And this investigation is without merit. German courts have already dismissed similar claims, ruling that our anti-spam policies were effective, reasonable, and applied consistently.”

The policy is designed to build “trustworthy results” and “combat deceptive billing tactics” that “degrade” the quality of Google search results.

The EU stated it took these actions to safeguard traditional media competing in online markets, especially after President Ursula von der Leyen recently highlighted in her State of the Union address that the media sector is at risk due to the growth of AI and other threats to media funding.

Officials emphasized that the investigation is part of a “routine violation” inquiry and could lead to penalties of up to 20% of Google’s revenue, although this would only occur if Google is found to be in “systematic violation.”

OpenAI Finalizes Transition to Commercial Enterprise Following Extended Legal Proceedings

Posted on October 28, 2025 by

OpenAI declared on Tuesday that it has officially transformed its core business into a for-profit entity, concluding a lengthy and challenging legal dispute.

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, an essential regulatory figure, announced her approval of a plan for the startup, initially established as a nonprofit in 2015, to transition into a public benefit corporation. This type of for-profit organization highlights a commitment to societal betterment.

The company also revealed that it has restructured its ownership and inked a new agreement with its long-time supporter, Microsoft. The arrangement will provide the tech giant with about a 27% stake in OpenAI’s new commercial venture, altering some specifics of their close partnership. According to the deal, OpenAI is valued at $500 billion, making Microsoft’s stake worth over $100 billion.

This restructuring allows the creators of ChatGPT to raise funds more easily and profit from AI technology while remaining under the nominal oversight of the original nonprofit.

Jennings stated in a release that she does not oppose the proposal, marking the end of over a year of discussions and announcements regarding the oversight of OpenAI’s governance and the influence commercial investors and their nonprofit board will exert over the organization’s technology. The attorney generals of Delaware, where OpenAI is incorporated, and California, where its headquarters are located, both indicated they were investigating the proposed alterations.

OpenAI confirmed it completed the reorganization “after almost a year of productive discussions” with authorities in both states.

“OpenAI has finalized a recapitalization and streamlined its corporate framework,” Brett Taylor, chairman of the OpenAI board, stated in a blog post on Tuesday.

Elon Musk, one of the co-founders of OpenAI and a former ally of Mr. Altman, had contested the transition through a lawsuit, which he later dropped, then refiled, and made an unexpected bid of nearly $100 billion to take control of the startup.

“Nonprofits will continue to oversee for-profit corporations and now have direct access to essential resources before AGI arrives,” Taylor noted.

AGI, or artificial general intelligence, is defined by OpenAI as “a highly autonomous system that surpasses humans at the most economically significant tasks.” OpenAI was founded as a nonprofit in 2015 with the goal of safely creating AGI for the betterment of humanity.

Previously, OpenAI stated that its own board would determine when AGI would be achieved, effectively ending its partnership with Microsoft. However, now “Once AGI is announced by OpenAI, this declaration will be confirmed by an independent panel of experts,” and Microsoft’s rights to OpenAI’s proprietary research methodologies will “persist until the panel of experts confirms the AGI or until 2030, whichever occurs first.” Microsoft also retains commercial rights to certain “post-AGI” products from OpenAI.

Microsoft also released a related statement on Tuesday regarding the revised partnership, but opted not to provide additional comments.

The nonprofit will be rebranded as the OpenAI Foundation, and Taylor mentioned it will allocate $25 billion in grants for health and disease treatment and to safeguard against AI-related cybersecurity threats. He did not specify the timeline for disbursing these funds.

Robert Wiseman, co-director of the nonprofit organization Public Citizen, remarked that this setup does not ensure autonomy for nonprofits, comparing them to corporate foundations that cater to the interests of for-profit entities.

Wiseman stated that while a nonprofit’s board may formally retain oversight, “control is illusory because there is no evidence that the nonprofit has enforced its values on the for-profit.”

Experiential Entertainment: A Gold Rush Amid Uncertain Commercial Success

Posted on October 19, 2025 by

WThe inaugural stage adaptation of the globally acclaimed book and film series The Hunger Games is set to debut in London next week, offering fans an “emotional” and “immersive” adventure for those willing to shell out up to £200.

Located at Canary Wharf’s specially designed 1,200-seat Troubadour, the production will feature Hollywood star John Malkovich portraying the nefarious President Snow, who oversees a televised spectacle of mortal teenage combat. This event is part of a recent surge in launches aimed at tapping into the growing consumer appetite for experiential entertainment tied to successful franchises.

From escape rooms and ax throwing to slumber parties and the Secret Cinema’s recreation of iconic scenes from Back to the Future at Olympic Park, the market for innovative and unique outings is booming. Recent pop-up attractions have been linked to Minecraft, Jurassic World, and Squid Game.

With significant investment flooding into this sector, companies are increasingly counting on proven intellectual properties to draw crowds, often with varying degrees of success.

“We’ve examined numerous immersive experiences,” says Hollywood investor Chip Seelig, who supports Come Alive!, a theatrical venture inspired by the 2017 film “The Greatest Showman.” “Even prominent intellectual property does not assure success. Attracting an audience without a globally recognized IP is quite challenging. We see this as a crucial factor for success.”

Seelig’s TSG Entertainment co-financed and produced the blockbuster film. Before its release, he sought ways to bring it to life through real-world experiences and reached a rights agreement with 20th Century Fox, which is now part of Disney.

Disney also has plans to present its more traditional theatrical interpretation of The Greatest Showman, which is set to premiere at Bristol Racecourse in the spring.

While productions like Come Alive! have shown promise, successfully extending performances for another year at the former BBC Earth Experience site, the commercial viability remains uncertain due to the high costs associated with live productions.

The challenges faced by traditional theater serve as a cautionary tale for the emerging field of immersive entertainment.

A recent report by The New York Times highlighted that none of the 18 commercial musicals that premiered on Broadway last season turned a profit, with at least three that had budgets of $20 million (approximately £15 million) closing within four months of opening.

Since the pandemic ended, only 3 out of 46 new musicals not based on existing, familiar IP have turned a profit.

An additional hurdle for the still-nascent experiential industry is that the gold rush mentality has led many operators to launch events that often fall short of expectations.

Last year, an unofficial event dubbed the “Detroit Bridgerton Themed Ball,” priced between $150 and $1,000, went viral for the wrong reasons when attendees were seen sitting on the floor munching Kit Kats while watching a lone pole dancer perform.

Similarly, Glasgow’s poorly executed Willy Wonka Experience, advertised as a “festival of chocolate in all its delightful forms,” garnered negative global attention when it was abruptly canceled, prompting police involvement due to angry families who had spent hundreds of pounds on an event that left children in tears.

The current productions have faced criticism. Ticket prices for Elvis Evolution, which premiered at London’s Excel Center in the summer, range from £75 to £300. It was initially marketed as a concert experience featuring “AI and holographic projection of stars.”

The original promise of a “life-sized digital Elvis performing iconic moments from music history for the first time on a UK stage” ended up showcasing AI-generated “luxury archival footage.”

Layered Reality, the production company behind the show, admitted that the hologram had not been included by the time tickets went on sale but claimed to be “overwhelmed” by positive feedback from attendees.

One attendee described the experience as “absolutely awful,” while a VIP ticket holder labeled it “a shambles from start to finish.”

While some fans appreciated it—one enthusiast claimed to have “Loved every minute”—reviews remain mixed. The Telegraph awarded it one star, while Time Out provided a slightly more favorable three-star rating, noting a “fair amount of booing.”.

“The immersive arts and entertainment sector is certainly not on the verge of collapse,” declare analysts at Gensler Institute in their 2025 Immersive Entertainment & Culture Industry Report. “Nevertheless, confusion is beginning to arise as lesser quality offerings are filtered out.”

“The current trend in the industry is setting unrealistic expectations, exacerbated by a flood of AI-generated imagery and misleading marketing language.”

Gensler’s report estimates that the global immersive entertainment market is valued at £98 billion this year, with predictions of reaching £351 billion by 2030.

Little Lion Entertainment (LLE), responsible for the Crystal Maze live experience in London and Manchester based on the cult classic TV show from the 1990s, has secured a 10-year rights extension with production company Banijay.

“This isn’t just an expansion; it’s the start of a global adventure,” stated Tom Lionetti Maguire, founder and CEO of LLE. “We’re reimagining the Crystal Maze experience for future generations.”

The success of Secret Cinema, a pioneer in producing events themed around films and shows like Star Wars, Stranger Things, and James Bond, indicates that well-funded media executives remain optimistic about the future of this sector.

In September, news broke that Ari Emanuel, a Hollywood heavyweight who co-founded the US entertainment conglomerate Endeavor and currently leads World Wrestling Entertainment and Ultimate Fighting Championship, was nearing a deal to purchase the parent company of Secret Cinema.

Emanuel’s global events firm is close to finalizing an agreement with Todayics Group, a US-based digital ticketing company that acquired Secret Group in a $100 million transaction in 2022.

TodayTix co-founder Merritt Baer shared that the company opted not to launch any productions last year as it “reorganized and reimagined what our audiences want.”

“Many are throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks,” he noted. “If they fail to meet audience expectations, it can create lasting damage and erode trust in the sector.”

“Secret Cinema boasts a strong brand and heritage, emphasizing its commitment to quality and aiming for the upper echelons of its industry. Numerous savvy individuals recognize that the experience is where the past connects with the future.”

“Companies like Netflix, Apple, Amazon, and others have significantly elevated the standards for both the quality and quantity of content entering our homes. Producers of live theater and events must similarly elevate their offerings to entice audiences away from their living rooms.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqrgo8pgnhc

The Arrival of the First Commercial Space Station: A Game Changer for Space Exploration

Posted on June 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

In 2026, a group of astronauts is floating inside a gleaming white cylinder, positioned hundreds of kilometers above the Earth.

They gaze down at our planet through a 1.1-meter dome window and rest in an inflatable bed engineered for zero gravity, while conducting experiments focusing on human physiology, plant development, and protein crystallization.

Yet, this isn’t the International Space Station (ISS). It’s not managed by NASA, Roscosmos, or the China National Space Administration. This is Haven-1, the world’s inaugural commercial space station constructed by a private company named Vast.

Set to launch in May 2026 aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9, Haven-1 signifies transformative shifts in how we live and work in space.

“If you can achieve this prior to securing a NASA contract [to replace the ISS], using our funds, we have numerous CEOs,” says Max Haot to BBC Science Focus. “We will not only be the first commercial space station but also the sole predicted bidders to accomplish this.”

Minimum viable space station

Vast’s strategy is quick, concentrated, straightforward, and practical. Rather than constructing an extensive orbital laboratory, they designed a carefully constrained system that prioritizes safety and quality.

With a volume of 45m³ (1,590 feet)³, Haven-1 provides roughly the interior space of a small tour bus. Its life support system operates on a simpler “open loop” model, adapted from previous NASA technology and utilized during the space shuttle era.

The crew will stay for shorter durations compared to the ISS. Instead, four astronauts will visit for approximately 10 days, arriving aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Over Haven-1’s projected three-year orbital lifespan, only four such missions are planned.

“As a demonstration of a minimally viable product space station, safety is our top priority,” Haot states. “The second priority is achieving this within an unprecedented timeline. A swift timeline leads to reduced costs.”

Simplifying processes enables Vast to accelerate progress. The main structure is already assembled and will undergo testing this summer after completion in July. By early next year, the entire system should be integrated, and final tests will commence.

Haven-1 hosts four crew members at a time on a 10-day mission. – Extensive

Stations that look like the future

Aesthetically, Haven-1 is a remarkable departure from its predecessor. While the ISS is an engineering marvel, it often resembles a floating plumbing workshop. Haven-1 is designed with a science fiction aesthetic. Its interior is clean, functional, and sleek for space habitats.

This aesthetic reimagining is not solely for show. It’s about functionality. “We go to space to work,” Haot explains. “It’s straightforward to understand that better rest, well-being, and communication lead to increased productivity.”

Here, Vast’s Human Factors team plays a crucial role, led by veteran NASA astronaut Drew Feestel.

For instance, sleep is facilitated using an inflatable bed that applies gentle pressure, mimicking the physical sensations astronauts crave in microgravity.

“Astronauts have various preferences for sleeping on the ISS,” says Haot. “Many opt for pressure against their bodies while they sleep.”

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What occurs aboard the ship?

Each mission to Haven-1 will be shorter yet packed with activities. Scientists can engage approximately 40 crew members throughout the station’s lifespan, given the limited opportunities for human time in orbit.

“Humanity has limited time to learn about space habitation and test technology,” notes Haot. “We believe that you can be incredibly productive within that time.”

Already lined up are research projects addressing human biology, drug screening, plant development, and protein crystal formation. Vast has established partnerships with Redwire Space (USA), Yuri (Germany), and Exobios Fair (Luxembourg).

A French company, Interstellar Lab, is investigating plant growth in microgravity.

Between missions, the station will be utilized to experiment with artificial gravity systems. This is an early step toward enhancing safety and feasibility for long-duration space travel.

Strategic moves in the post-ISS era

Haven-1 is more than just a research platform; it’s a strategic maneuver in a much broader competition.

NASA intends to retire the ISS around 2030 and is currently reviewing bids for the next-generation orbital platform. Haot aims to secure that contract, and launching Haven-1 early with private funding is a bold way to leap ahead of competitors.

“Our goal is to present the most compelling strategy among all contenders,” Haot explains. “We’ve already achieved this by being ahead in technology development, teams, facilities, and certification processes.”

However, winning the race is not guaranteed. A competing spaceflight company, Axiom Space, has already secured a $140 million contract from NASA to connect at least one module to the ISS. Work is ongoing at Axiom, with the inaugural launch slated for late 2026.

Other companies, including Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, and Starlab, are also in the running.

If successful, the Vast team will be well-positioned when NASA makes its decisions in 2026. If NASA’s objectives do not come to fruition, they may explore opportunities with foreign governments and private entities interested in utilizing the station.

“We remain optimistic about the future of Vast, but our primary focus is internally,” affirms Haot. “Winning this opportunity is of pivotal significance—it’s the largest market opportunity currently in the space station sector.”

Despite shorter time frames, astronauts onboard will conduct hundreds of experiments. – Extensive

From Haven-1 to a comprehensive orbital hub

Haven-1 is just the beginning. Vast’s subsequent venture is Haven-2, a more advanced module adhering to the same philosophy. Starting in 2028, the company plans to launch new modules every six months, ultimately assembling a complete commercial station by 2032.

This modular future facilitates more frequent crew missions, civil research programs, and, ultimately, a broader orbital economy.

Thanks to a partnership with SpaceX, Haven-1 will also become the first space station connected to Starlink, providing ORBIT Gigabit Speed Internet.

“If you want to operate Haven-1 and communicate continuously, you can,” Haot asserts. “This will significantly change how the public and crew interact.”

Redefining space

Haven-1 may not be the largest or the most sophisticated station in orbit, but it will be the first entirely constructed, funded, and operated by private enterprises. That’s the crux of its significance.

Vast aims to reshape the landscape of low Earth orbit, illustrating that space infrastructure can be efficient, elegant, and commercially viable. Whether in science, exploration, or industry, HAOT believes the future of space belongs not to nations, but to those who reach the stars first.

“The goal isn’t to erect luxury hotels in space to attract tourists,” emphasizes Haot. “The aim is to create a robust environment that supports exploration.”

“It’s not without risks. We need to observe what transpires in reality.”

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About our experts

Max Hat is an entrepreneur with a background in aerospace, appliances, and the internet. He currently serves as the CEO of Vast.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Light-based computers are nearing their commercial debut

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Lightweight based computer chip made by Pace, LightElligence

Light Ergens

Computers that use light rather than data to represent and manipulate data can reduce data center power requirements and at the same time speed up calculations. Two studies published today describe breakthroughs in performing real problems on light-based computers, creating techniques that are on the verge of commercial applications, the researchers say.

Electronic computers have historically followed Moore’s law, as we all use today. The power of the machine doubled every two years. However, in recent years, progress has slowed down as transistor miniaturization reaches its fundamental physical limits.

Researchers are working on many potential solutions, including quantum and photonic computing. However, Quantum Computing still struggles to achieve true utility, but Photonic Computing has reached the point where chip designs like those set in two new research are performing authentic calculations. In addition, these photonic chips can be manufactured using the same factory that manufactures silicon chips for electronic computers.

Photonic computers offer greater potential benefits than electronic computers. One is that photons travel faster than electrons do in the circuit, allowing for faster calculations and less pauses between each step of the calculation. Second, photons move without resistance and are rarely absorbed by the material on which the chip is made, allowing the same job to be performed using less energy than an electric computer that requires energy-intensive cooling.

In its research, Lightelligence, a Singapore-based company, shows that a device called a Photonic Arithmetic Computing Engine (PACE), which combines photonic and microelectronic chips, can successfully execute ISING problems that apply directly to the logistics industry and many other areas.

Meanwhile, US startup LightMatter claims that its own chip can run AI model BERT to create text in Shakespeare’s style. New Scientist Could not reach Lightmatter due to comments.

Bo Peng At LightElligence, the sector is increasingly busy with start-ups and technology is rapidly maturing. “We’re more or less pre-production,” says Peng. “It’s more like a real product than just a lab demonstration.”

Just as the world of quantum computers is trying to demonstrate the benefits of quantum, quantum machines are the point where classical computers can provide useful things. He won’t draw when this will happen, but says that this technology is closer to being ready for commercial applications – perhaps it works as a photonic chip that works with the electric chip, rather than completely replacing them to handle the specific tasks that it can provide boost.

Needless to say, hardware based on the research and Lightelligence PCI Express format. This is a standard motherboard add-on format for desktop computers that allow you to add graphics cards and other devices. Company devices can already be added to any commercial desktop, but require the appropriate software to communicate.

Robert Hadfield At the University of Glasgow in the UK, two studies show that “it’s a kind of boiling area.” “This is close to the point where the industry may consider photonic processors a viable alternative,” he says. “It’s really interesting to see how mature this architecture has become. These are photonic chips manufactured in one of the world’s leading foundries, so they can be expanded for mass production.”

Stephen SweeneyThe University of Glasgow also says that they have already seen optical data transmissions roll out around the world, with optical optical computing approaching too. “With Photonics, you can do things at a lower loss than electronics can,” says Sweeney. “And if you need to be able to do a huge amount of calculations, you need to start looking at it.”

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ISAR AEROSPACE: German company poised to launch Europe’s first commercial rocket

Posted on March 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Spectrum rocket on the launch pad of Norway’s Andea Space Centre

Wingmen-Media

Preparations for rocket test flights in Norway are underway, making history and could bring Europe to greater independence from market leaders in US orbital launches.

Who is behind the rocket launch?

The company that developed the new rocket called Spectrum is ISAR Aerospace based in Germany. The spectrum is 28 meters high and consists of two stages, using oxygen and propane as propellants. ISAR Aerospace states that the purpose of a test flight without payload is to “collect as much data and experience as possible.” The company said New Scientist That the staff were busy preparing for the test flight for an interview.

When and where will the release be made?

The launch will take place at the Andea Space Centre in Norway, and the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has been granted permission to move forward. ISAR Aerospace says it will be released on March 24th between 12:30pm and 3:30pm, when the weather is permitted.

If successful, it will be the first flight of orbital launch vehicles from the European continent except Russia.

Are there any other launch companies already in Europe?

That’s true, and some are pretty well established. Arianespace, a European market leader, was founded 45 years ago and will be launching it in collaboration with the European Space Agency and the French National Space Agency CNES. However, these launches take place in Guiana, France, a French territory in South America, with the rocket itself (Vega C and Arian 6) being built by other companies.

In addition to ISAR aerospace, there are clutches from European startups looking to start competing, including Spain. Zero 2 Infinity And Germany’s Rocket Factory Augsburg and Highpurs.

Why does Europe need its own launcher?

Davide Amato At Imperial College, London says there are many reasons why there is a demand for small European launch providers. For one thing, the logistics of creating satellites in Europe and then launching them in Europe will be simpler and cheaper, rather than shipping them all over the world.

It’s also easier to have a small, inexpensive launch vehicle that can bring a single satellite into orbit, rather than having to share the ride with several other missions.

Then there is the current political situation. Given the link between unpredictable CEO Elon Musk and the Trump administration, businesses and countries may not want to rely on US launch providers, particularly SpaceX.

These concerns were hinted at by Daniel Metzler, CEO of ISAR Aerospace. Recent Statements“In today’s geopolitical climate, the first test flight is more than a rocket launch.”

Is Norway a good place to start?

A rocket launched near the equator gives it a boost. Thanks to the planet’s spin, they begin to travel much faster than the rockets launched near the poles compared to the centre of the Earth.

The Andea Space Center is 69° north, so the Earth’s rotation speed is much weaker than in the French Guiana. However, this is not important for high incolination trajectories. It is a trajectory that creates a larger angle at the equator.

ISAR Aerospace says it can orbit 1,500 kilogram payloads can be orbited up to 30 times a year, with orbit trends of 90° to 110.6°. This includes sunlight orbits that always pass through a certain point at the same local location, ideal for spies and weather satellites. ISAR has already signed a contract for Norwegian space agencies to bring the Arctic Ocean Surveillance Satellite into exactly that orbit.

Launch sites benefit from all the infrastructure required for small launch vehicles, as they lack considerable air or marine traffic. “It’ll be more limited in terms of what you can achieve, but I think that’s still reasonable,” says Amato.

Will ISAR be successful?

Amato says Isar Aerospace may be chasing SpaceX from a traditional space approach of broader design and careful testing to Silicon Valley’s “test, fail, improve” strategy. “I expect a failure,” says Amato. “That’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

“Now, the question is, can you reach a design that survives? He says. “That’s the race. You’re basically competing for your investors.”

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Space Flight/
Space exploration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqsgzztvpao

The Blue Ghost Spacecraft from Firefly completes its second commercial moon landing

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The Blue Ghost took a photo of the shadows on the moon.

Firefly Air Space

The Texas company has achieved its second commercial landing on the moon. And the first company didn't fall with a touchdown. Success comes even in the gusts of private and state moon exploration.

The Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Lander was launched on January 15th on top of the SpaceX rocket, and spent 45 days of travel to the moon. It landed at 8:34am on March 2nd. Chrysium in the Maresa smooth basin formed by a volcanic eruption three billion years ago.

Using thrusters, Blue Ghost slowed from an orbital speed of 1.7 km/sec to just 1 meter/sec, then landed on shock absorbing legs within 100 meters of the target. Jason Kim, CEO of Hotaru; I told CNN That the short height of the craft was the key to a safe landing: “It is a successful design, you see past designs and successful past designs, [they] Very similar – short and squatti. ”

The Blue Ghost is approximately 2 metres tall and 3.5 metres wide, and features 10 scientific instruments as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program, which uses the private sector to perform various experiments prior to the planned crew mission.

These include testing of the lunar planet, which uses compressed gas blasts to mix and collect samples of lunar dust, radiation-curable computer chips, and lunar GNSS receiver experiments that pick up signals from GPS and Galileo navigation satellite constellation to bring Earth into orbit to provide timing data for the moon.

The Lander will be operating on Earth Day-Moon Day, approximately 14 days before falling into the darkness and closing around March 16th. While other landers have unexpectedly survived the harsh conditions before, a frostling moon night will likely be the end of the mission.

Last February, the Texas-based intuitive machine landed the Odysseus spacecraft on the moon, becoming the first private company to achieve a feat previously only achieved by the National Space Agency. Odysseus fell to the side while landing, but still managed to work surprisingly well.

Many moon missions are in progress or planning. Also, Blue Ghost's Launch Rocket was another commercial moon mission, Ispace's Resilience Lander, intended to land in April. It is expected that around 12 landers will reach the moon in 2025 alone.

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Judges reject initial attempt to halt commercial shift without masks, but schedule autumn trials for AI.

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A United States judge denied a request for a preliminary injunction on Tuesday to halt the transition to an open commercial model, but agreed to hear the case this autumn.

Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, a US District Judge in Oakland, California, stated that the tech billionaire did not meet the “high burden necessary for a temporary injunction” to stop the conversion to openness.

Nevertheless, Rogers expressed the importance of quickly resolving the lawsuit, considering “the potential for crisis and harm if conversion takes place unlawfully.”

Elon Musk and Openai, co-founded as a nonprofit in 2015 but left before it gained momentum, have been embroiled in a year-long legal dispute. CEOs of Tesla and X (formerly Twitter) have accused Openai of deviating from its original goal of developing artificial intelligence for the betterment of humanity, rather than corporate profits.

Openai and its CEO, Sam Altman, have denied these allegations. The lawsuit revolves around the shift to a for-profit model for chat developers, with Altman citing the need for more capital and competitiveness in the costly AI industry.

Openai welcomed the judge’s ruling, stating that Musk’s lawsuit, who launched rival startup Xai in 2023, was always about competition. Microsoft, the primary supporter of Openai, did not provide a comment.

Musk’s lawyer, Marc Toberoff, commended the judge for promising a swift trial on the core claims of the case. Toberoff emphasized the importance of ensuring Altman utilizes Musk’s charitable contributions for the benefit of the masses, not personal gain.

The ruling comes after Altman rejected a $97.4 million acquisition offer from a consortium led by Musk, claiming Openai is not for sale and accusing Musk of attempting to hinder its competitors.

Softbank Group is reportedly discussing leading a funding round of up to $400 million for Openai, valuing the company at $300 million. This surpasses the $75 billion valuation discussed by Xai in a recent fundraising round.

Insecticides are ineffective for eradicating cockroaches in commercial settings.

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Cockroaches are a common pest

Lerachanok/Shutterstock

People buying insecticide sprays to get rid of cockroaches are wasting money because the bugs have developed a resistance to the key ingredients, prompting calls for U.S. regulators to tighten product testing rules.

There are about 30 species of cockroaches living around humans, but the German cockroach (German cockroachThe common dust mite ( ), found worldwide, is the dust mite most likely to infest buildings. Previous research There is evidence of widespread resistance to pyrethroid insecticides, which are commonly found in consumer products.

now, Jonalyn Gordon University of Florida researchers found that while commercial insecticides continue to work effectively on lab-derived German cockroaches bred from strains that have not been exposed to insecticides, they are ineffective against insects taken from real-world infestations.

The products are designed to be sprayed on surfaces to kill insects that walk across them, but in the team's tests, the coated surfaces killed fewer than 20 percent of the cockroaches they collected after 20 minutes of exposure. “Spraying these products directly in a closed container did not result in a 100 percent kill rate,” Gordon says.

When cockroaches were forced to remain on treated surfaces, most products took between eight and 24 hours to kill them. Previous research In reality, this is unlikely to occur, as these insects have been shown to avoid landing on pyrethroid-treated surfaces.

Pest-control products sold in the United States are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and manufacturers must prove they are 90 percent effective, but field testing on insects is not generally required.

That needs to change, Gordon says, noting that any bedbug-control products sold in the US should be required to be tested on recently collected specimens. “If that were to happen for cockroach control, I think it would raise the bar for cockroach-control products and ensure that the products on the shelves are providing the control people reasonably expect,” Gordon says.

In the meantime, cockroach repellents are probably the most effective consumer product for controlling pests, with the added benefit of minimizing human exposure to pesticides, Gordon says. Home measures like eliminating food and water sources the pests use and cleaning up clutter can also help. Professional pest control using non-pyrethroid insecticides is also recommended.

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