As NASA astronaut Dr Anil Menon prepares to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Russia's Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft on July 15, Kerala's Palakkad district is drawing attention for its connection to three astronauts involved in major space missions. Dr Anil Menon, who is set to undertake his maiden spaceflight as part of Expedition 75 to the ISS, will be joined by Anna Menon, a private astronaut who flew on the historic Polaris Dawn mission, widely recognised for advancing commercial human spaceflight. Completing the trio is Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair,
Claire Parfitt's journey to becoming one of the European Space Agency's (ESA) leading Mars exploration experts began with rejection. At 14, her application to NASA was turned down, but that setback did not stop her from pursuing a career in space science. Instead of giving up, Parfitt accepted a placement at the National Space Centre in Leicester, where one of her earliest responsibilities was cleaning and preparing a space toilet exhibit. The experience marked her first step into the space sector and reinforced her determination to work in the industry. After studying physics and compl
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a living bio-battery that generates electricity using photosynthetic algae, offering a potential alternative to millions of disposable batteries used in low-power electronic devices. Unlike conventional batteries that eventually run out of stored energy, the living bio-battery harnesses cyanobacteria, microscopic algae that naturally produce energy through photosynthesis during the day and respiration at night. This allows the system to generate a continuous flow of electricity as long as the organisms remain alive. The technolog
OpenAI has launched GPT-5.6 alongside ChatGPT Work, its newest AI-powered workspace designed to help businesses complete complex tasks such as coding, research, document creation, presentations, and website building from a single platform. The launch marks OpenAI's biggest step yet towards positioning ChatGPT as a workplace productivity platform rather than just a conversational chatbot. The GPT-5.6 family includes Sol, Terra, and Luna, 3 tools that allow users to choose among advanced performance, lower cost, and faster responses based on their requirements. ChatGPT Work combines ChatG
Over the past three weeks, the Indian government has stepped up scrutiny for WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Instagram, issuing a series of notices and directives over cybercrime, piracy, and child safety. While each intervention addresses a different issue, experts say they reflect a broader push towards greater platform accountability. The recent actions include a temporary block on Telegram during the NEET-UG re-examination, directions to WhatsApp to pause its username feature, notices seeking explanations from Signal and Telegram over anonymity features, an anti-piracy notice to Telegr
India has reached a significant milestone in the semiconductor industry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that three semiconductor plants are expected to become operational within the next six months. At the inauguration of the CG Semi Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Gujarat, the Prime Minister said the rapid commissioning reflects India's transition from a technology importer to a global semiconductor manufacturing destination. The newly inaugurated facility is India's first outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) plant. Modi said the achievement demo
Innovation City and IOPn have launched Middle East's first sovereign AI data center, bringing NVIDIA B200 GPUs to Innovation City, Ras Al Khaimah, strengthening the UAE's ambitions to become a global hub for artificial intelligence. The new facility, operated by Siada, an IOPn enterprise, is fully operational and provides AI companies with access to sovereign computing infrastructure where all data processing and storage remain within the UAE. According to the announcement, the data center allows founders and enterprises to access NVIDIA B200 GPUs on demand, reserve long-term compute ca
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has launched DMCC Cyber, a dedicated cybersecurity ecosystem designed to support more than 200 cybersecurity companies, as the number of technology firms operating within the free zone surpasses 4,000. The launch marks the latest expansion of DMCC's innovation ecosystem, strengthening its position as one of the region's fastest-growing technology and business hubs. The new vertical will provide cybersecurity companies access to business networking, specialised infrastructure, industry partnerships, and growth opportunities. According to DMCC, the pl
Awais Ahmed, founder and CEO of Pixxel, emerges as one of the leading young entrepreneurs driving India's private space revolution. From Aldur in Karnataka's Chikkamagaluru district to building a globally recognised space-tech company reflects years of curiosity, determination, and innovation. Growing up, Ahmed developed an early fascination with astronomy, spending hours reading about planets, stars, and black holes from a young age. Encouraged by his family and inspired by science encyclopaedias, leading him towards aerospace engineering and satellite technology. While studying engine
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform emerging economies. Countries must invest in complete AI ecosystems rather than relying solely on imported AI models, according to a new World Bank Group report. The report describes AI as a general-purpose technology capable of reshaping healthcare, finance, education, and agricultural industries by improving productivity, expanding access to services, and driving innovation. However, it cautions that the benefits of AI will not be realised through technology adoption alone. Emerging markets continue to face major barriers lik