China has proposed launching nearly 200,000 satellites into Earth orbit, potentially aiming to secure orbital space rather than genuinely establishing the largest satellite constellation.
On December 29, China’s newly formed Radio Technology Innovation Research Institute submitted a proposal for two satellite constellations, CTC-1 and CTC-2, to the Chinese government and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which manages frequency allocations in space.
Each constellation will consist of 96,714 satellites arranged across 3,660 orbits. This starkly contrasts with the current active satellite count of approximately 14,300, of which around 9,400 are SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, providing internet service. SpaceX has also applied to the ITU for a total of 42,000 satellites.
Victoria Samson from the US nonprofit Secure World Foundation indicates that this application might reflect a strategy of land grabbing in space. “They might be preparing for something much larger,” she suggests.
By raising this claim with the ITU, other satellite operators intending to launch in the same orbits must prove that their operations won’t be affected. According to ITU regulations, at least one satellite must be launched within seven years of the initial application, and all proposed satellites must be deployed within another seven-year timeframe.
“If you apply early and meet the deadlines, you can deter others from launching in your designated space,” states Tim Farrar, a US satellite communications expert. He further clarifies that China’s extensive applications for multiple orbits suggest some uncertainty in their constellation plans, giving them flexibility. “There’s almost no penalty for doing it this way.”
However, should this application be legitimate, achieving such a launch scale appears nearly impossible. In 2025, China achieved a record of 92 rocket launches. To deploy 200,000 satellites within seven years would necessitate launching over 500 each week, translating to hundreds or even thousands of launches annually.
This is not the first instance of spatial land grabbing; Rwanda previously applied to the ITU for a constellation of 327,000 satellites in 2021, yet this did not impede the operations of Starlink and other satellite providers. “Operations remain largely unchanged,” remarks Farrar. “It seems doubtful that Rwanda will achieve such a massive number of satellite deployments.”
China’s proposal underscores the intensifying rivalry among mega-constellation players, particularly among space internet companies vying for a market potentially encompassing millions or more, thus influencing global information distribution. Many entities are racing to catch up to SpaceX, including Amazon’s Project Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), which has launched about 200 of its intended 3,236 satellites. Additionally, China’s state-backed constellations, Qianfan and Wang, have launched several hundred of their anticipated thousands.
“Fifteen years ago, the notion of a single constellation hosting 1,000 satellites seemed far-fetched,” states Samson. “Currently, over 9,000 personnel are engaged in Starlink operations.”
Explore Astronomy in Chile
Discover Chile’s astronomical treasures. Visit the most advanced observatory in the world and gaze at the stars under the clearest skies on Earth.
Three councils in London have experienced cyberattacks, leading to the activation of emergency plans to determine if any data was compromised.
The Royal Boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, which share portions of their IT infrastructure, along with Westminster City Council, reported that several systems, including telephone communications, were impacted across both councils. As a precaution, the city council disabled several computer systems to prevent additional harm.
The Information Commissioner’s Office confirmed that the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham also reported being affected by the attack. Collectively, these three councils serve over 500,000 residents in London. In 2020, Hackney City Council was hit by a ransomware attack that encrypted 440,000 files, leading to disciplinary measures from the ICO.
Engineers from RBKC worked tirelessly through Monday and Tuesday to address the incident. They noted that services such as checking council tax bills and paying parking fines could face restrictions, and the website might be temporarily suspended on Wednesday while security measures are implemented.
In a statement from the council, it was mentioned: “We do not have all the answers yet, as we are still managing this incident. However, we are aware that there are concerns among the public, and we will provide updates to our residents and partners in the coming days. At this point, it is too early to determine the perpetrator or motive, but we are investigating whether any data may have been compromised. This is standard procedure.”
The agency and the City of Westminster have stated they are collaborating with cyber incident specialists and the National Cyber Security Center, focusing on safeguarding systems and data, restoring systems, and sustaining essential public services.
These boroughs share some IT resources with Hammersmith and Fulham, and it remains unclear how significantly they were impacted.
RBKC added: “We have activated our business continuity and emergency protocols to ensure that we can continue providing vital services to our residents, especially for the most vulnerable.”
Westminster City Council shared in a statement: “We apologize for any inconvenience to our residents and appreciate your patience and understanding. There may be delays in our responses and services over the coming days. We are committed to working closely with our cyber experts and the NCSC to restore all systems promptly. We will inform you as soon as more details become available, and we strive to keep you updated on any service changes.”
The incident was identified on Monday morning, raising concerns in other councils. Hackney, located in east London and previously affected by a land survey, housing, and planning services disruption in 2020, stated to its staff: “We have received reports that several London councils have been targeted by cyber-attacks in the last 24 to 48 hours, which could cause disruptions to their systems and services.”
Rob Miller, former IT director at Hackney City Council and now senior director at consultancy Public Digital, remarked: “When such an event occurs, you feel an immediate sense of dread as you realize the challenges in getting everything back on track. It’s an incredibly distressing experience.”
Labor unions and online safety advocates are urging Members of Parliament to examine TikTok’s decision to eliminate hundreds of content moderation jobs based in the UK.
The social media platform intends to reduce its workforce by 439 positions within its trust and safety team in London, raising alarms about the potential risks to online safety associated with these layoffs.
Conferences from trade unions, communication unions, and prominent figures in online safety have authored an open letter to Chi Onwurah MP, who chairs Labour’s science, innovation, and technology committee, seeking an inquiry into these plans.
The letter references estimates from the UK’s data protection authority indicating that as many as 1.4 million TikTok users could be under the age of 13, cautioning that these reductions might leave children vulnerable to harmful content. TikTok boasts over 30 million users in the UK.
“These safety-focused staff members are vital in safeguarding our users and communities against deepfakes, harm, and abuse,” the letter asserts.
Additionally, TikTok has suggested it might substitute moderators with AI-driven systems or workers from nations like Kenya and the Philippines.
How TikTok harms boys and girls differently – video
The signatories also accuse the Chinese-owned TikTok of undermining the union by announcing layoffs just eight days prior to a planned vote on union recognition within the CWU technology sector.
“There is no valid business justification for enacting these layoffs. TikTok’s revenue continues to grow significantly, with a 40% increase. Despite this, the company has chosen to make cuts. We perceive this decision as an act of union-busting that compromises worker rights, user safety, and the integrity of online information,” the letter elaborates.
Among the letter’s signatories are Ian Russell, the father of Molly Russell, a British teenager who took her life after encountering harmful online content, former meta-whistleblower Arturo Bejar, and Sonia Livingstone, a social psychology professor at the London School of Economics.
The letter also urges the commission to evaluate the implications of job cuts on online safety and worker rights, and to explore legal avenues to prevent content moderation from being outsourced and to keep human moderators from being replaced by AI.
When asked for comments regarding the letter, Onwurah noted that the layoff strategy suggests TikTok’s content moderation efforts are under scrutiny, stating, “The role that recommendation algorithms play on TikTok and other platforms in exposing users to considerable amounts of harmful and misleading content is evident and deeply troubling.”
Onwurah mentioned that the impending job losses were questioned during TikTok’s recent appearance before the committee, where the company reiterated its dedication to maintaining security on its platform through financial investments and staffing.
She remarked: “TikTok has conveyed to the committee its assurance of maintaining the highest standards to safeguard both its users and employees. How does this announcement align with that commitment?”
In response, a TikTok representative stated: “We categorically refute these allegations. We are proceeding with the organizational restructuring initiated last year to enhance our global operational model for trust and safety. This entails reducing the number of centralized locations worldwide and leveraging technological advancements to improve efficiency and speed as we develop this essential capability for the company.”
TikTok confirmed it is engaging with the CWU voluntarily and has expressed willingness to continue discussions with the union after the current layoff negotiations are finalized.
quick guide
Contact us about this story
show
The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand reporting from those in the know.
If you have insights regarding this matter, please reach out to us confidentially using the methods outlined below.
Secure messaging in the Guardian app
The Guardian app features a tool for submitting tips. All messages are encrypted end-to-end and seamlessly integrated into everyday use of Guardian mobile apps, keeping your communication private.
If you don’t have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and navigate to the menu. Select “Secure Messaging.”
SecureDrop, instant messaging, email, phone, mail
If you can access the Tor network safely and privately, you can send messages and documents to the Guardian through our SecureDrop platform.
Lastly, our guidelines at theguardian.com/tips provide multiple secure contact methods, detailing their advantages and disadvantages.
Kiel Starmer is seen as a manifestation of Prime Minister’s “Reverse Midas Touch,” with overall support for digital IDs plummeting following his announcement about implementation plans.
Net support for digital ID cards has dropped from 35% in early summer to -14% over recent weekends.
These findings indicate that the proposal is significantly affected by its association with the unpopular government. In June, 53% of surveyed voters expressed support for all British digital ID cards, while 19% were opposed.
The government aims to launch a nationwide digital identity scheme, citing it as a “big opportunity” for the UK to make illegal employment more challenging.
After the cross-star announcement, only 31% of those surveyed expressed support for the scheme, while 45% opposed it, with 32% stating they strongly opposed it. Over 2.6 million people have signed the petition against the introduction of IDs.
Proponents of digital identity schemes across the nation are dissatisfied with how the policy was presented and are doubtful about its future implementation.
Analysis of the Commons vote indicates that public discontent with the government is contributing to the decline in support. While only 20% of those who believe Starmer is doing a poor job favor digital IDs, 71% of those who view Starmer positively support them, with only 14% in opposition.
These statistics reflect the Prime Minister’s uphill battle to regain public trust in his policies and leadership. His personal approval rating has fallen to an all-time low, with recent studies identifying him as the least popular prime minister in history.
Recent polling by Ipsos reveals that 13% of voters are satisfied, while 79% express dissatisfaction, leading to a net rating of -66. This marks the lowest satisfaction recorded for a prime minister since 1977, worse than previous lows set in August 1994 during John Major’s tenure.
“Digital IDs lack popularity fundamentally. Earlier this summer, we observed it as a clear indicator of governmental instability,” remarked Luke Trill, Executive Director of More Common.
“If governments are to reshape support for digital identity, they must initiate clearer use cases. The danger is that potentially beneficial policies could become additional challenges for governments amid organized opposition.”
Starmer and former adviser to Tony Blair, Peter Hyman, claimed the plan is “dead in the water” within six months, as ministers failed to present a persuasive case during an event at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.
Hyman indicated that the scheme’s opposition finds itself “on the back foot,” urging Downing Street to engage social media influencers to “address objections” and counter rising conspiracy theories threatening the initiative’s viability.
The minister stated that digital ID cards would be mandatory for individuals wishing to prove their right to live and work in the UK. The government is particularly concerned about the ease of accessing illegal jobs within the UK’s shadow economy, a contributing factor encouraging perilous travel across the channel.
Photo IDs would be stored on smartphones, similar to a digital bank card, and would contain details such as the owner’s name, residency status, date of birth, and nationality. They do not grant access to healthcare or welfare benefits.
According to a senior minister, ID cards will be implemented prior to the next election, initially aimed at verifying individuals’ rights to work.
“If having an ID card helps eliminate fraudulent activities within the system, this was always a straightforward aim,” stated Interior Secretary Shabana Mahmoud at a fringe event. As conservatives deem it a “witness,” the plan continues to face resistance from British reformists.
Donald Trump praised Apple for its pledge to boost its investment in U.S. manufacturing by an additional $100 billion over the next four years.
Apple’s commitment to increasing its domestic investments comes as it seeks to circumvent the tariffs threatened by Trump. During a May revenue call, CEO Tim Cook cautioned that tariffs could lead to losses of up to $900 million in that fiscal quarter alone.
Cook mentioned that many components of the iPhone, such as glass, semiconductors, and Face ID modules, are already produced domestically. However, he noted that final assembly will remain overseas for the time being. Previously, he stated that this new investment would involve collaboration with ten companies across the U.S. that manufacture components for Apple products.
Apple previously announced a plan to invest $500 million domestically, which has now increased to $600 million. The company also intends to hire 20,000 workers in the U.S. over the next four years.
Recently, Trump has vocally criticized tech companies, with Cook pursuing a strategy to shift iPhone production to India to evade tariffs imposed by the Republican administration on China. On the same day the White House made its announcement, Trump raised U.S. tariffs on India from 25% to 50%.
While in Qatar earlier this year, Trump mentioned a “slight problem” with Apple during a conversation with Cook, indicating he didn’t want production to move to India.
India has incurred the president’s ire lately as he ordered an additional 25% tariff on the country, citing its use of Russian oil. This new import tax, set to be implemented over 21 days, could elevate total tariffs on Indian goods to 50%.
According to Reuters, Apple tried to preempt Indian tariffs in April by exporting as many as 1.5 million iPhones from the country to the U.S.
The iPhone is composed of parts sourced from multiple countries, with final assembly primarily taking place in China, making the company particularly vulnerable to Trump’s tariffs. A shift of production to the U.S. could significantly increase costs, as many analysts regard American-made iPhones as a pipe dream while Apple navigates the uncertain waters of Trump’s trade war.
Apple’s announcement of increased investment aims to enhance supply chains and advanced manufacturing capabilities within the United States.
This latest pledge from Apple comes shortly after the company signed a $500 million contract with MP Materials, which operates the only rare earth mine in the U.S. This deal allows MP Materials to expand its Texas facility and utilize recycled materials to manufacture magnets vital for the iPhone.
During the recent investor call, Cook highlighted the various components produced in the U.S., such as glass displays and facial recognition modules, and indicated that there are plans to scale up production for additional components within the country.
“We’re doing more here, with about 1.9 billion chips now being produced in the U.S. We’re making progress,” Cook stated last week without going into further details.
Despite investors’ concerns regarding impending tariffs and a slowdown in adopting artificial intelligence, Apple’s latest revenue report indicates strong iPhone sales, surpassing Wall Street expectations year over year. Following news of Trump’s announcement, Apple’s stock, which had dropped significantly earlier this year, jumped over 5% on Wednesday.
This week’s Donald Trump AI Summit in Washington was a grand event that received a warm response from The Tech Elite. The president took to the stage on Wednesday evening, with a blessing echoing over the loudspeakers before he made his declaration.
The message was unmistakable: the technology regulatory landscape that once dominated Congressional discussions has undergone a significant transformation.
“I’ve been observing for many years,” Trump remarked. “I’ve experienced the weight of regulations firsthand.”
Addressing the crowd, he referred to them as “a group of brilliant minds… intellectual power.” He was preceded by notable figures in technology, venture capitalists, and billionaires, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar. The Hill and Valley Forum, a powerful industry group, co-hosted the event alongside the Silicon Valley All-in-Podcast led by White House AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks.
Dubbed “AI Race Winnings,” the forum provided the president with a platform to present his “AI Action Plan,” aimed at relaxing restrictions on artificial intelligence development and deployment.
At the heart of this plan are three executive orders, which Trump claims will establish the U.S. as an “AI export power” and unwind some regulations introduced by the Biden administration, particularly those governing safe and responsible AI development.
“Winning the AI race necessitates a renewed spirit of patriotism and commitment in Silicon Valley.”
One executive order focuses on what the White House terms “wake up” AI, urging companies receiving federal funds to steer away from “ideological DEI doctrines.” The other two primarily address deregulation—a pressing demand from American tech leaders who have increasingly supported government oversight.
One order will enhance the export of “American AI” to foreign markets, while the other will ease environmental regulations permitting data centers with high power demands.
Lobbying for Millions
In the lead-up to this moment, tech companies have forged friendly ties with Trump. CEOs from Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, and Apple contributed to the President’s Inaugural Fund and met him at Mar-A-Lago in Florida. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, which developed ChatGPT, has become a close ally of Trump, with Huang from Nvidia pledging a joint investment of $500 million in U.S. AI infrastructure over the next four years.
“The reality is that major tech firms are pouring tens of millions into building relationships with lawmakers and influencing tech legislation,” remarked Alix Fraser, Vice President of Advocacy for the nonprofit.
In a report released on Tuesday, it was revealed that the tech industry is investing record amounts in lobbying, with the eight largest tech companies collectively spending $36 million.
The report noted that Meta accounted for the largest share, spending $13.8 million and employing 86 lobbyists this year. Nvidia and OpenAI reported the steepest increases, with Nvidia spending 388% more than last year and OpenAI’s investment rising over 44%.
Prior to Trump’s AI plan announcement, over 100 prominent labor, environmental, civil rights, and academic organizations rebutted the president’s approach by endorsing the “People’s AI Plan.” In their statement, they stressed the necessity for “relief from technology monopolies,” which often prioritize profits over the welfare of ordinary people.
“Our freedoms, the happiness of our workers and families, the air we breathe, and the water we drink cannot be compromised for the sake of unchecked AI advancements, influenced by big tech and oil lobbyists,” the group stated.
In contrast, tech firms and industry associations celebrated the executive order. Companies like Microsoft, IBM, Dell, Meta, Palantir, Nvidia, and Anthropic praised the initiative. James Czerniawski, head of emerging technology policy at Proview Celebrity Lobbying Group Consumer Choice Center, described Trump’s AI plan as a “bold vision.”
“This marks a significant departure from the Biden administration’s combative regulatory stance,” Czerniawski concluded.
Artistic impressions of the moa, one of the largest extinct birds
Christopher Cree/Colossal Biosciences
Colossal Biosciences has unveiled its ambitious project to “bring back” the New Zealand MOA, one of the most remarkable extinct birds in history, although critics claim the objectives may be scientifically unfeasible.
The MOA was the only fully known flightless bird, with no close relatives like emus. Nine species once inhabited New Zealand, including the turkey-sized bush moa (Anomalopteryx didiformis). The two largest varieties, the South Island Giant MOA (Dinornis robustus) and the North Island Giant MOA (Dinornis novaezealandiae), both stood at an imposing 3.6 meters tall and weighed around 230 kilograms.
By the mid-15th century, all MOA species were believed extinct, following the arrival of the Polynesian people, now known as Māori, in New Zealand around 1300.
Colossal has partnered with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, an indigenous institution affiliated with the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, along with filmmakers such as Peter Jackson and the Canterbury Museum. These collaborations are vital as Colossal aims to extract DNA and reconstruct the genomes of all nine species of MOA.
Similar to Colossal’s other “de-extinction” initiatives, this project involves modifying the DNA of currently existing species. Andrew Pask, a scientific advisor at the University of Melbourne, notes that the MOA’s closest living relative is the South American Tinamou, although it is considerably smaller.
This suggests the project may need to utilize the Australian EMU (Dromaius novaehollandiae) instead. As Pask explains, “Emus have large embryos and eggs, which are crucial for recreating the MOA.”
Previously, Colossal announced its so-called “de-extinction” of the thylacine. This endeavor has faced skepticism from external experts who argue that the animal is essentially a modified gray wolf. Pask insists that the MOA project involves greater genetic manipulation.
“With the MOA, we are making a concerted effort to accurately reassemble the species,” he states. “When this animal walks the Earth again, we will have no doubt it is a true MOA. It will be an engineered version of the original.”
The specific habitat for these reintroduced animals is still unclear. Mike Stevens from the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre emphasizes that both his organization and the local Māori community must fully grasp the “feasibility and ethical implications” of Colossal’s efforts. “Only after this discussion can we consider how and where the ‘giant MOA’ will fit into our world,” he mentions, raising numerous profound ethical and practical questions that need careful consideration before proceeding. Technology must prove its worth.
Conversely, Philip Seddon from the University of Otago believes that whatever Colossal creates won’t truly be a MOA and may exhibit distinctly different traits. He highlights that while Tinamous are the closest relative of the MOA, their evolutionary paths diverged over 60 million years ago.
“Ultimately, Colossal’s approach utilizes genetic engineering to produce GMOs that resemble an extinct species without genuinely solving contemporary global issues,” he asserts.
Pask vigorously challenges this viewpoint, arguing that insights gained from this de-extinction endeavor are crucial for the preservation of current endangered species.
Jamie Wood from the University of Adelaide believes this project may yield “valuable new perspectives on MOA biology and evolution.” However, he cautions that if Colossal employs similar methodologies to those used in the dire wolf project, they could struggle to persuade the public that the resultant creature can be regarded as a true MOA.
“While they may possess certain MOA-like characteristics, they are unlikely to behave as the originals did or occupy the same ecological roles.”
A new study has unveiled the significant carbon footprint of the US military, indicating that even modest budget cuts can lead to substantial reductions in emissions.
Published in the journal PLOS Climate, the study reveals a strong correlation between spending by the US Department of Defense (DOD) and energy consumption, along with greenhouse gas emissions. The authors assert that lowering military expenditures could result in considerable environmental benefits.
The US military stands as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, with an estimated output of 636 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents (a standard measure for greenhouse gas emissions) recorded between 2010 and 2019.
In fact, if the military were classified as a country, its emissions would surpass those of nations like Sweden and Portugal.
Moreover, this data only considers scope 1 and 2 emissions, which are the direct emissions from fuel combustion and purchased electricity. Indirect emissions (scope 3) from factors such as employee travel, waste disposal, and supply chains are not included, indicating that the military’s actual carbon footprint is even larger.
Utilizing public data from 1975 to 2022, Professor Ryan Tomb of Penn State University has examined the relationship between military spending, energy consumption, and consequently greenhouse gas emissions.
As expected, increased military spending leads to higher energy usage, while budget cuts result in decreased consumption. Interestingly, the study found that the reduction in spending had a more pronounced effect on energy consumption than increases did.
“Our findings show that spending reductions correlate with lower energy use, particularly from military facilities, vehicles, equipment, and jet fuel,” Thombs stated in an interview with BBC Science Focus.
“Although further research is required to explore specific mechanisms, these results imply that cutting spending may compel the military to diminish the scale, distance, and frequency of operations more than increased spending would push for expansion,” he added.
More than half of the fuel consumed by the national army is allocated to flying fighter jets. – Christopher Campbell, senior airline in the Air Force
Another potential reason for this trend could be that budget cuts may disproportionately limit aviation activities.
Globally, military jets rank among the most energy-intensive machines. In the US military, jet fuel has accounted for 55% of total energy usage over the last fifty years.
“Given the substantial share of energy consumption, prioritizing a reduction in aviation activities is critical,” Thombs commented. “Aviation is highly energy-intensive, and serious efforts to lessen military emissions should target this area.”
It is widely acknowledged that controlling aviation emissions is challenging. Both military and commercial aviation are often described as “hard-to-abate” sectors that cannot yet transition away from fossil fuels at the scale and energy density currently required.
This suggests that curtailing aviation operations is essential for achieving emissions reductions, according to Thombs.
The research team also outlined projections for various future budget scenarios. They discovered that if military spending were to decrease by 6.59% annually from 2023 to 2032, the DOD could save energy equivalent to the entire energy usage of Slovenia or Delaware. This represents a feasible reduction rate observed over the last 50 years, making it a plausible target.
While the scientific rationale is evident, the political landscape tells a different story. Governments worldwide are increasingly escalating their defense budgets amid a climate fraught with conflict and instability.
On June 26th, President Trump’s administration proposed a $1.01 trillion National Defense Budget for the upcoming fiscal year, marking a 13.4% increase from the previous year.
Despite this trend, Thombs remains hopeful. He believes that with the right framing, it is possible to achieve spending reductions. He pointed to previous proposals by Senators Edward Markey and Bernie Sanders to cut military spending by 10%, redirecting those funds toward jobs, healthcare, and education.
“Framing these reductions in such a manner could be an effective strategy, as reinvesting these resources could significantly enhance people’s lives,” Thombs remarked. “Ultimately, the most effective way to mitigate the social and environmental costs associated with the military is to scale it back.”
Researchers are currently planning to explore why spending cuts yield such exceptional energy savings and whether this trend holds for other major military forces.
Read more:
About our experts
Ryan Tomb serves as an assistant professor of rural sociology in the Faculty of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education at Penn State University in the United States. His published research appears in American Sociological Review, Sociological Methodology, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, and Society, along with interdisciplinary journals such as Changes in the Global Environment, Energy Research and Social Sciences, Climate Change, and Environmental Survey Letters.
President Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday outlining a series of actions aimed at lowering drug prices, including helping to import drugs from Canada.
The policy was more modest than the drug price reduction proposal Trump offered in his first term.
One of his new directives could potentially raise drug prices, as it calls for changes to the Medicare negotiation programs that could increase government costs.
Such changes may lead to delays in drug qualification for Medicare price cuts, ultimately impacting the cost.
Depending on its structure, the directive could potentially increase Medicare drug spending by billions of dollars compared to current spending under the law. The negotiation program was approved by a Democratic-controlled Congress and supported by former President Joseph R. Biden.
The executive order emphasizes that changes to the Medicare price negotiation program should be accompanied by other reforms to prevent an increase in overall costs for Medicare beneficiaries.
While some directives in the executive order may save money for patients and government programs, the proposals for Medicare negotiations are likely to increase costs without significant savings.
The order also includes provisions to lower co-payments for certain medical treatments and provide discounted insulin and epinephrine injections to low-income individuals.
This executive order marks a significant move by the Trump administration regarding drug pricing.
Following Trump’s decision to consider imposing tariffs on imported drugs, which manufacturers might pass on to consumers, there is concern that this could lead to increased costs and potentially worsen drug shortages.
Some directives in the executive order, such as changes to the Medicare negotiation program, require Congressional approval and have faced opposition from the pharmaceutical industry.
Trump has long expressed dissatisfaction with the high drug prices in the US compared to other countries. While the executive order includes measures to address some pricing issues, it lacks a report on the pricing policies of preferred countries, which could have helped align US drug prices with those of other nations.
These are some of the key aspects of Trump’s executive order concerning drug pricing.
Eliminate “pill penalty”
The order instructs Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to collaborate with Congress on addressing disparities in how certain drugs are treated in Medicare negotiation programs.
It highlights that under current law, different types of drugs have varying eligibility periods for price reductions, with some drugs having longer wait times before price cuts can be applied.
Drugmakers have criticized the existing “pill penalty” in the Medicare program, which they claim hinders innovation and access to new treatments. Legislative efforts are being made to address these differences in treatment of various drug types.
The executive order does not specify the exact timeline for exempting different drug types from Medicare price reductions.
Pharmaceutical industry representatives have expressed willingness to work with the administration and Congress to develop solutions that reduce costs and enhance access to medications for the public.
The negotiations on drug prices overseen by Biden officials are set to result in price reductions taking effect in 2026, while the Trump administration will oversee negotiations for certain drugs in upcoming years.
The White House released a fact sheet on Tuesday stating that the Biden administration aims to generate more savings through its Medicare negotiation program compared to previous years. However, this could be challenging if Congress limits the duration during which Medicare can access lower prices.
Drug imports from Canada
The executive order directs the FDA to streamline the process for importing low-cost drugs from Canada, building on previous efforts initiated during Trump’s first term.
While importing drugs from Canada may offer cost savings, the potential imposition of tariffs by Trump on imported drugs could offset these benefits.
Standardize joint payments at various clinics
The order calls for regulations to ensure consistency in the fees charged by medical practices for administering drugs to patients across different healthcare settings.
Currently, many hospital-owned medical practices bill Medicare higher fees than independent practices for the same services, impacting Medicare beneficiaries who are responsible for a portion of the costs.
Efforts to standardize these payments have faced opposition from hospitals seeking higher payments. Legislation during the Obama administration addressed some of these discrepancies in payment rates.
Promote affordable generic products
Trump has instructed the FDA to expedite the approval process for generic and biosimilar drugs, aiming to increase access to lower-cost alternatives to brand-name drugs.
While there is hope for cost savings through the approval of biosimilars, patient adoption has been slower than anticipated, impacting the overall savings potential.
Affordable insulin for low-income individuals
Trump has reinstated a previous order to provide discounted insulin and epinephrine injections to certain low-income individuals through Community Health Clinics.
While initially proposed in 2020, the implementation of this initiative was halted by the Biden administration citing administrative burdens.
Internal documents obtained by the New York Times and several people with knowledge of the situation show Trump administration officials recommend elimination of the scientific research department in the National Maritime and Atmospheric Administration.
The proposal from the Office of Management and Budget would abolish NOAA’s Marine and Atmospheric Research Institute, one of the world’s premiere geoscience research centres.
The budget allocations of more than $170 million to about $485 million in 2024 have increased nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet over the past 40 years, as science is as diverse as the early warning systems for natural disasters, science education for kindergarten students, science education in high schools, and research in the Arctic.
“At this funding level, OARs will be eliminated as line offices,” the proposal states.
The funded program, which includes tornado warnings and marine acidification research, will be relocated to the National Weather Service and the National Marine Services Office.
An overview of the 2026 budget passback that needs to be approved by Congress suggests “significant reductions in education, grants, research and climate-related programs within NOAA,” following the removal of the demolition of other institutions, such as the Institute of International Health and the US Agency for International Development, and the removal of climate change from federal government websites.
Under the proposal, the Department of Commerce’s total budget will be nearly $7.7 billion, down more than $2.5 billion from the 2025 level. The budget will focus on activities that are in line with the Trump administration’s agenda, including implementing trade laws and collecting scientific observations such as ocean and weather data to support forecasts.
“This administration’s hostility to climate science research and rejection will result in contenting the weather forecasting capabilities that the plan claims to preserve,” Zoe Lofgren, a senior Democrat with the House Science Committee, said in an emailed statement.
NOAA, which accounts for more than half of the Department of Commerce budget, will receive a small $4.4 billion cut from 2025, cutting $1.6 billion.
“It’s not surprising, but it’s very disturbing,” said Rick Spinrad, who led NOAA under President Joseph R. Biden Jr.
This includes reducing the National Marine Fisheries Services budget by a third. The office will be split from NOAA and will be moved to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior. Funding for species recovery and habitat conservation is eliminated.
Funds for NOAA’s branch of National Ocean Service will be cut in half. Programs like the Coastal Marine Science Center, offices within marine services that study the effects of climate change and sea level rise on coral, pollution, and coastal communities will not be funded.
Environmental Information Centres, which archive climate data, will lose a quarter of their funds.
The proposal also changes NOAA’s satellite and space programs.
It will destroy the Department of Space and Commerce office and relocate the Space Weather Prediction Center to the Department of Homeland Security. A program called the Space Traffic Coordination System, set up to take over satellite traffic surveillance from the Department of Defense, a type of traffic police for space, will also lose funds. Passback suggests that such work will be carried out by the private sector.
The satellite programme that provides weather and modeling data will also be reduced. The long-standing relationship that will help NOAA acquire satellites through NASA will also end.
Dr. Spinlad said the budget proposed by the White House is unlikely to pass Congress. “I don’t think I’ll endure the scrutiny of Congress.”
According to the document, passbacks are part of balancing federal budgets, including “eliminating support for the federal awakening ideology.”
Project 2025 is a document that has been used as a blueprint for federal overhauls under the Trump administration, and included the goal of disbanding NOAA and reducing its research division.
“That raises doubts. Is the Trump administration intentionally breaking our weather capabilities as an excuse to implement the dangerous project 2025 proposal to privatize weather services?” Lofglen said in a statement.
Published by the conservative policy research institute, The Heritage Foundation, Project 2025, called NOAA research “many sources of NOAA climate warnings,” and said “the dominance of climate change research needs to be dissolved.”
“This will bring the United States back to the 1950s with technical and scientific skills,” said Craig McLean, NOAA’s chief scientist under both the first President Trump and Biden in the budget proposal.
Agents must appeal the proposal until noon on April 15th. And until April 24th, many plans for the overhaul suggested by Passback will need to be submitted, even before the proposal is addressed by Congress.
On Thursday, probation officials who were fired in February and later resurrected by judges received an email from the Department of Commerce, who fired them again after the decision was overturned by a superior court. The so-called Force Plan cuts could further reduce 20% of the workforce in the coming weeks.
Block, Jack Dorsey’s Financial Technology Company, is letting go of nearly 1,000 current employees while also implementing other changes to its business in its second major move in over a year.
Dorsey, who co-founded Twitter before founding the Block in 2009 and previously served as the CEO of Twitter, informed employees of the impending layoffs in an email titled “Small Block,” which was seen by the Guardian. The layoffs will impact over 930 employees, transition almost 200 managers to unmanaged roles, and close nearly 800 open positions.
Block operates payment platform Square, money transfer app CashApp, and music streaming service Tidal.
Dorsey stated in the email that the layoffs and organizational changes were not aimed at specific financial targets, replacing individuals with AI, or changing staffing limits. This reorganization follows a previous one in early 2024, where around 1,000 employees were laid off and Dorsey reduced the workforce to approximately 12,000 employees.
Instead, Dorsey explained that this latest reorganization is intended to raise performance standards, streamline the organization, and promote quicker decision-making. Last year, Dorsey used a similar approach in notifying staff about layoffs, emphasizing the need to “rebuild like a startup.”
In the recent email, Dorsey expressed that “we have been slow to act, and that is not fair to individuals or the company.”
The Block’s stocks have declined by 29% this year. Despite Dorsey taking on more operational responsibilities, concerns have been raised by shareholders about the company’s revenue and profits. Dorsey highlighted in the email that part of his role is to increase the company’s stock value, and the reorganization will enable them to focus and execute effectively towards that goal.
“When we identify a need for action, we must act decisively, and there has been a lack of action,” the CEO stated. “We need to enhance accessibility, transparency, and automation as our industry must evolve quickly to stay ahead of changing trends.”
A spokesperson for the Block did not respond to requests for comments or emails.
A group of more than 30 British performing arts leaders, including executives from the National Theatre, Opera North, and Royal Albert Hall, have expressed concerns over the government’s proposal to allow artists to use their work without permission.
In a joint statement, they emphasized that performing arts organizations rely on a delicate balance of freelancers who depend on copyright to sustain their livelihoods. They urged the government to uphold the “moral and economic rights” of the creative community encompassing music, dance, drama, and opera.
Signatories to the statement include top leaders from institutions such as Saddlers Wells Dance Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and Leeds Playhouse.
They expressed concern over the government’s plan to diminish creative copyright by granting exemptions to AI companies. The statement highlighted the reliance of highly skilled creative workers on copyright and the potential negative impact on their livelihoods.
While embracing technological advancements, they warned that the government’s plans could hinder their participation in AI development. They called for automatic rights for creative professionals and criticized proposals that require copyright holders to opt out.
Additionally, they demanded transparency from AI companies regarding the copyrighted material they use in their models and how it was obtained. The government’s proposed transparency requirements in copyright consultations were noted.
The statement emphasized the importance of music, drama, dance, and opera to human joy and highlighted the backlash against the government’s proposals from prominent figures in the creative industry.
The controversy revolves around AI models that power tools like ChatGpt chatbots, trained using vast amounts of data from the open web. A government spokesperson defended the new approach, aiming to balance the interests of AI developers and rights holders.
Whenever a rocket launch or mission goes wrong, experts always say the same thing: “Space is hard.” As advances in the space industry accelerate, this mantra has only grown more important, if not less, as we face—and, for the most part, overcome—the challenges of spaceflight with increasing frequency.
The situation that has unfolded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) over the past few months is a case in point: Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft successfully completed its first manned flight on June 5, but a hardware problem meant that after arriving at the ISS it was unclear whether the two NASA astronauts on board would be able to safely return to Earth as scheduled.
So after ground tests and much deliberation, NASA reversed course, announcing that its astronauts would stay longer and return instead in February 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft (see “Astronauts stranded on ISS reveal U.S. space program not in peril.”) A potentially catastrophic problem was reduced to a mere inconvenience thanks to NASA’s wise decision a decade ago to hire not one but two companies to build the capsules that would carry astronauts into space. We’d always known space was a tough place, and preparation paid off.
The first ever private spacewalk will likely be the most dangerous one ever.
Hopefully, the thorough preparations will also pay off for the crew of SpaceX’s upcoming Polaris Dawn mission, which, if all goes well, will conduct the first-ever civilian spacewalk, and perhaps the most dangerous one ever (see page 8).
If the flight goes well, it will be another big win for commercial spaceflight, and especially for SpaceX, as it will be the first test of the company’s new spacesuit. Aging spacesuits have been a big problem for NASA and other space agencies for decades. The spacesuits NASA uses are the same ones astronauts wore in the 1980s and are long past their prime. A new spacesuit that is comfortable for civilians to wear, has better mobility, better temperature regulation and is more reliable would be a big win. It would make life in space a little easier.
The International Space Station (ISS) has been operational since 2000 and is continuously manned by astronauts, orbiting Earth every 90 minutes.
Throughout its operation, the ISS has served as a hub for scientific experiments, space travel research, and international cooperation. Over 280 astronauts from more than 23 countries have visited the space station.
However, as the decade nears its end, the ISS is reaching the end of its functional lifespan, prompting the need to address its future once it’s no longer in use.
Abandoning the craft is not an option due to its size and potential risk to other satellites in orbit. NASA has explored various options, including pushing the ISS higher, but ultimately determined that salvaging parts for historical preservation or technical analysis would be too complex and costly.
Therefore, the only viable solution is to deorbit the ISS. SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, has been awarded an $843 million contract by NASA to develop and deliver a deorbit vehicle for the ISS.
Plans are still being finalized, but the general idea is for the deorbit vehicle to guide the ISS into the atmosphere, where most of it will burn up upon re-entry. Careful considerations will be made to ensure any remaining parts land in uninhabited areas.
With the ISS’s days numbered, the future of space habitation is shifting towards private sector initiatives, such as NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development program and the Lunar Gateway project.
Despite the end of the ISS era, experts like Dr. Darren Baskill emphasize the station’s contributions to science, exploration, and international collaboration, paving the way for future advancements in space.
About our experts
Darren Baskill is an Outreach Officer and Lecturer at the University of Sussex, with a background in astronomy and science outreach.
“Can you hear me now?” Keith Gill began the broadcast. “I kind of forgot how to do it.”
In 2021, an influencer known as Roaring Kitty led a retail investor movement that sparked an extraordinary surge in shares of the embattled video game chain GameStop, convulsing Wall Street, and Mr. Gill became an internet star and testified before Congress about his bullish stance on the stock.
And then he disappeared. For years after the stock market turmoil began, Gill remained silent online, even as a Hollywood movie was made about his battle with the financial establishment.
Last month, a series of cryptic social media posts suggested Roaring Kitty had woken up from a three-year slumber, reigniting a volatile rally in GameStop shares. But they raised more questions than they answered.
Hundreds of thousands of viewers were waiting when Gill reappeared on YouTube today, but those tuning in hoping for an explanation were in for a frustrating 50 minutes.
The first time GameStop's stock price surged in 2021 was Loss-making companiesThree years later, the company is still unprofitable and struggling to find its place in the modern gaming industry.
Its latest earnings report, released just before Roaring Kitty was released, revealed a steep decline in sales since the start of the year. GameStop also Confirmed Plan The company plans to take advantage of the recent surge in its share price by selling up to an additional 75 million shares.
“We will not be holding a conference call today,” GameStop said in a brief press release, without explaining any reasons for the poor performance. The company's shares fell by about 25 cents and trading was halted multiple times.
Retailers weren't ready for the market, but one enthusiastic follower was happy to oblige. Gill reappeared with his arm in a sling, his head bandaged, his face in a bandage, and sunglasses. With the sound of life support machines ringing in the background, he pretended to be dead.
Keith Gill Livestream on June 7, 2024. Photo: YouTube
“Yeah, that was close,” he laughed, thanking the audience for bringing him back to life, even as the stock price of GameStop Corp. showed up in the background and looked far from healthy.
Gill was keen to dispel the rumours: “This is me, by the way,” he said, stressing that he controls his own dealings and social media accounts and does not work with anyone else.
Despite speculation that he might offer new information to explain his confidence in the fading retailer, Gill clarified that he had “no concrete plans,” instead rambling on about movie memes, playing with a Magic 8 Ball and thanking his followers for their well wishes ahead of his birthday.
“It's been a few years now. How are you all?” he said. “I'm so glad to be back.”
Gill reiterated his long-held belief that GameStop's management would one day reinvigorate the chain in some way, but this is hardly a new revelation. Gill hastened to add that while it's not a guarantee, Ryan Cohen, the billionaire entrepreneur who heads the company, “seems to be doing the right thing.”
“In this case, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence,” he argued about GameStop's recovery, but the company's shares continued to fall when it became clear that his livestreams would not be covering any significant news.
“I haven't said anything right,” he continued. The stock price had fallen 40% since the start of the day. “I'm just saying something wrong. Where's the eject button?”
After a while, he found and pressed it. “A toast to everyone,” Gil said, taking a swig of his beer, and finished. “We'll see what happens next.”
NASA’s WB-57 research jet will be used to study solar eclipses
Amir Caspi
Solar scientists across North America will study April’s total solar eclipse to observe the sun’s strangest part: the corona.
Although it is briefly visible as a bright halo that appears only when it is total, it is a million times dimmer in visible light than the rest of the Sun. The corona is also a million degrees warmer than the sun’s surface, or photosphere, which only reaches about 6000 degrees Celsius, and extends millions of kilometers into the solar system.
The corona is where the sun’s magnetic field acts on charged particles to form complex shapes called streamers, loops, plumes, etc. Understanding the corona helps us predict the solar wind, the stream of charged particles that is blown into space from the Sun. This is the cause of the aurora borealis, but it’s also a potential threat to astronauts, satellites, and the power grid.
Expectations for the total solar eclipse on April 8th are extremely high. That’s because the total solar eclipse, in which the sun is completely covered, will last up to 4 minutes and 27 seconds, the longest such period on land in more than a decade. We would like to introduce some of the experiments that will be carried out in the future.
solar wind sherpa
Shadia HabalThe solar researcher at the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy has been tracking solar eclipses for almost 30 years, using special filters and cameras to measure the temperature of particles from the deepest part of the corona.
Habal’s group, now known as the Solar Wind Sherpas, has traveled to far-flung places, including the Marshall Islands, Kenya, Mongolia, Norway’s Svalbard, Antarctica, and Libya. Habal and her team use filters to image the corona during each solar eclipse, some of which last only a few seconds. By studying the different wavelengths of light emitted by charged iron particles in the corona, temperature can be revealed.
Most often, solar physicists who study the corona rely on space observatory coronagraphs, which use telescope disks to block the sun. But these devices obscure the deepest parts of the corona, towers of plasma called prominences and sources of eruptions called coronal mass ejections.
“Observations during totality are very important,” Habal says. There’s no other way to continuously observe a portion of the Sun’s atmosphere extending from the surface to at least 5 solar radii. “This is fundamental to understanding how the solar atmosphere originates from the Sun and then spreads out into interplanetary space,” she says. Only then will accurate computer models be devised to simulate the corona and help predict space weather.
In the past few years, Habal’s group has made a surprising discovery. The Sun is currently heading towards her solar maximum in 2025, the most active period of his 11-year cycle when solar winds strengthen. Because the corona appears larger during the maximum solar activity during a total solar eclipse, it was thought that there is a close relationship between the solar cycle and the temperature of the corona. But it may not be that simple.
In 2021, Habal and his colleagues published a study based on observations made during 14 total solar eclipses that suggest: The temperature of the corona does not depend on the solar cycle. The lines of the sun’s magnetic field can open and spread outward in the solar wind, or they can close and become hotter, forming a loop. “We found open magnetic field lines everywhere, regardless of the cycle,” Habal says. This means that the temperature of the corona is almost constant.
high flyer
Observations have been impossible since 2019 due to bad weather. “In 2020 there was rain in Chile and in 2021 there were clouds over the Antarctic ocean, but in 2022 there was no solar eclipse,” Habal said.Team members are on an expedition to Antarctica. Benedict Justen Next time, he suggested, they could fly a kite equipped with a spectrometer that separates light into its component wavelengths.
A NASA-funded kite with a wingspan of 6.5 meters was successfully tested in Western Australia during a total solar eclipse in April 2023. It was launched on a kilometer-long tether attached to a vehicle. “It was truly miraculous,” Habal says. Due to bad weather, the team flew for the first time only 45 minutes before the total flight. “It was thrilling.”
This box-shaped kite will fly a NASA-funded scientific instrument to study total solar eclipses.
Clemens Bulman and Benedikt Justen
If the technology works well on future eclipses, more kites will be deployed in the future, and perhaps cameras will be added. “It’s much easier and cheaper than using balloons,” Habal says. But if things don’t work out, there’s always a backup.
During a total solar eclipse, two WB-57 planes will track each other just southwest of the eclipse’s maximum at 740 kilometers per hour, about one-fourth the speed of the moon’s shadow. At this speed, the total velocity increases from 4 minutes and 27 seconds to more than 6 minutes when viewed from the ground. “The WB-57 is perfect for this purpose because the nose cone has a built-in camera and telescope system that allows it to rotate and point at anything no matter what direction the aircraft is flying. ” says Mr. Amir Caspi At the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, he is in charge of the second WB-57 experiment to study the corona in a different way.
Caspi and his team will use a stable platform to image the eclipse using both a visible-light camera and a high-resolution mid-infrared camera developed by NASA. The latter captures light at seven different wavelengths and helps determine which structures in the corona are emitting their own light and which are just scattering light from the Sun’s surface. “To make these observations, we need to be as high up in the atmosphere as possible,” Caspi said. Infrared radiation is difficult to observe from the ground because it is absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere.
live streamer
Caspi is also part of the Citizen Continental American Telescope Eclipse (CATE) project. The project is an attempt to create a continuous 60-minute high-definition film using a team of 35 citizen scientists who travel a total path from Texas to Maine. They have the same cameras, telescopes, and training, so they can make exactly the same kinds of observations. “Each team will be spaced out so that each station overlaps its neighboring station,” Caspi said. “If one station can’t get data because of clouds or equipment failure, that’s okay.”
He is hopeful the device will work after it was successfully tested in Western Australia last year. “That was the first solar eclipse I ever saw,” Caspi said. He was busy live streaming on his YouTube, so he could only watch a few seconds. “Our devices couldn’t go online, so we spent the whole time holding our phones in front of our faces.”
NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft will be launched in October 2024 and will carry a triangular metal plate with a special message written on it as it heads towards Jupiter’s moon Europa.
This side of a commemorative plaque on NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft features the handwriting of U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón. Mystery Praise: Poem to Europa. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
Measuring approximately 18 x 28 cm (7 x 11 inches), the Europa Clipper’s metal plate, made from tantalum metal, features graphic elements on both sides.
At its center is a handwritten engraving of U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limon. Mystery Praise: Poem to Europaalong with a silicon microchip stenciled with the names of more than 2.6 million people submitted by the public.
A microchip will be the centerpiece of an illustration of a bottle inside the Jupiter system, a reference to NASA’s Message in a Bottle campaign.
The outward-facing panels feature art that emphasizes Europe’s connection to the Earth.
Linguists gathered Recording of the word “water” It is spoken in 103 languages from language families around the world.
The audio file was converted into a waveform (a visual representation of a sound wave) and etched into the plate.
The waveform radiates from the symbol for “water” in American Sign Language.
Based on the spirit of Voyager spacecraft golden recordconveys sounds and images that convey the richness and diversity of life on Earth, while Europa Clipper’s multi-layered message aims to stimulate the imagination and provide a unifying vision.
“The content and design of the European Clipper vault plate is imbued with meaning,” said Dr. Lori Glaze, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters.
“This plate combines the best of what humanity has to offer to the entire universe: science, technology, education, art and mathematics.”
“The message of connection through water, which is essential to all forms of life as we know it, perfectly illustrates the connection between Earth and this mysterious ocean world that we seek to explore.”
In 2030, after a 2.6 billion km (1.6 billion mile) journey, Europa Clipper will begin orbiting Jupiter and make 49 close-bys to Europa.
To determine whether conditions are conducive to life, the spacecraft’s powerful suite of scientific instruments will collect data about the moon’s subsurface ocean, icy crust, thin atmosphere, and space environment.
The electronics of these devices are stored in giant metal vaults designed to protect them from Jupiter’s harsh radiation. A commemorative plate seals off the vault opening.
Because the mission is to find habitable conditions, drake equation It is also etched on the inside of the plate.
Astronomer Frank Drake developed a mathematical formulation in 1961 to estimate the possibility of advanced civilizations existing beyond Earth.
This equation has continued to inspire and guide research in astrobiology and related fields ever since.
In addition, the artwork on the inside of the plate includes references to radio frequencies that could be used for interstellar communications, symbolizing how humans use this radio band to listen to messages from space. Masu.
These particular frequencies correspond to radio waves emitted into space by water components and are known to astronomers as the “water hole.” On the plate, they are depicted as radio emission lines.
Finally, this plate includes a portrait of Ron Greeley, one of the founders of planetary science. Ron Greeley worked on the early efforts to develop the Europa mission 20 years ago, laying the foundation for the Europa Clipper.
“A lot of thought and inspiration went into the design of this plate, as did the mission itself,” said Robert Pappalardo, project scientist for Europa Clipper and a research scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. says.
“It’s been a long journey over many decades, and I can’t wait to see what the European Clipper has to show us in this world of water.”
Alabama has announced it will use nitrogen gas in an upcoming execution. This would make the state the first to use such a method as officials struggle with a shortage of lethal injection drugs. Legal challenges are on the horizon as the matter is under consideration.
While Alabama is eager to use nitrogen, details of the protocol remain under wraps, with some information on how the process works being kept from the public. Death row inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith noted his lack of access to unredacted state protocols that explain how the process works, alongside other inmates under the sentence.
In addition to the novelty of Smith’s case, he is also a rare survivor of a failed execution attempt from last year. Smith, convicted for his role in the 1988 murder of a preacher’s wife, Elizabeth Sennett, remains awaiting execution with the proposed nitrogen method set for January. In light of unsuccessful attempts to execute Smith using lethal injection, the state agreed to try an alternative method.
Read more about this story hereNBCNews.com Watch Harry Jackson NOW on NBC News NOW Fridays at 5pm ET/4pm CT.
Although lethal injection remains Alabama’s primary method of execution, the state authorized the use of nitrogen in 2018 and aims to use it in Smith’s case. With many questions remaining and the state’s questionable track record, critics argue that the decision to use an untested method won’t win public trust.
This month, Smith’s lawyers argued before a federal judge that the use of nitrogen hypoxia violates the Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. An anesthetist testifying on Smith’s behalf expressed concerns about possible adverse effects on Smith’s health, such as vomiting, suffocation, or going into a vegetative state.
GRAND COUNTY, Colo. — Somewhere on a remote mountainside in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, a wolf was released into the wild and headed towards the treeline on a voter-approved plan. Wildlife officials have released five gray wolves into a remote area of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains to begin the reintroduction program. The plan was well received in urban areas and opposed in rural areas where ranchers feared attacks on their livestock.
The wolf was released from a crate in Grand County, and the project marks the most ambitious wolf reintroduction effort in the United States in nearly 30 years. The release of wolves has been temporarily postponed due to opposition from the state’s livestock industry.
The wolves were captured in Oregon and released in Colorado. After the releases, the crowd watched in silence as the wolves disappeared into the forest. Colorado officials expect to release 30 to 50 wolves within the next five years as part of the program.
The release of wolves in Colorado has become a political issue, deepening the divide between rural and urban residents. While urban and suburban areas largely vote in favor of reintroducing apex predators, rural residents are worried about the impact on livestock and big game animals.
To allay concerns in the livestock industry, ranchers whose livestock is preyed upon by wolves will be compensated with fair market value. Hunting groups are also expressing concerns about the impact of wolves on elk herds and other large game animals.
While some have celebrated the reintroduction of wolves, others are concerned about the potential conflicts that may arise due to the presence of wolves in the area. Joanna Lambert, a professor of wildlife ecology and conservation biology, described the release of the wolves as a “rewilding moment” to avoid the extinction of biodiversity.
Adobe finally makes a huge $20 billion bid to acquire rival Figma officially deadThis comes after the companies announced today that their acquisition plans had been scrapped due to regulatory pushback in Europe.
The deal, first announced last September, has always attracted regulatory scrutiny due to its size and the fact that it removed one of Adobe’s major rivals from the shadows. Ta. The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) Take a closer look at the transaction For the most part in 2023, news has not yet been filed to prevent the deal from happening. Appeared Before the weekend, Adobe and Figma had met with the Department of Justice in a last-ditch effort to avoid legal action.
Regardless, both companies were already facing significant headwinds in Europe. In late November, the UK announced that the proposed acquisitionharm innovation”, following similar findings in the European Union (EU), which announced a similar course of action in August.
The core of the concern is that Figma is the “clear market leader” in interactive product design tools and acts as a “constraining influence” on Adobe in the digital asset creation tools space. was. Therefore, if Adobe acquires Figma, Figma is a “valid competitor.”
in Today’s blog postFigma CEO and co-founder Dylan Field said the “co-decision” was reached because the two companies were unable to convince regulators of the differences between their products and businesses.
“This is not the outcome we were hoping for, despite spending thousands of hours with regulators around the world detailing the differences between our business, our products, and the markets we serve. We no longer see a path forward for regulatory approval of this transaction,” Field said.
This is a developing story.Please update the latest information.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
