News

China Launches New Communication Technology Test Satellite Beijing, 3 Dec (ONA)--- China successfully launched a new experimental communication satellite today from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province. The satellite, sent into orbit at 1:56 PM (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March 3B carrier rocket, will support satellite communication, radio and television broadcasting, data transmission, and conduct related technology tests. This mission marks the 549th flight of the Long March rocket series. Moreover, with this launch, the Long March 3B ...

Oman Braces for Launch of First Experimental Rocket Duqm-1 on 4 December 2024 Muscat, 1 Dec (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman is preparing to launch its first experimental scientific rocket, called “Duqm-1”. The operation will take place under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, represented by the National Space Programme, in cooperation with strategic partners in the sector. The project’s implementation and investment is undertaken by “Etlaq” company, a subsidiary of the National Space Services Company (NASCOM). A ...

Google Chrome to Add AI-Powered Store Reviews FeatureWashington, 1 Dec (ONA) --- Google Chrome is testing a new AI-powered feature designed to enhance online shopping safety and user experience.Called "Store reviews," this feature will provide users with AI-generated summaries of reviews from various independent platforms, including Trustpilot, ScamAdvisor, and Google.When encountering an unfamiliar online store, users will be able to access this feature through the "View page information" option in the address bar. By clicking on the "Store review" option, users can view ...

Apple Plans to Remove iPhone's SIM Card Tray in More Countries Washington, 27 Nov (ONA) —- Apple is reportedly set to eliminate the physical SIM card tray from iPhones in additional countries next year, as indicated by a report from (The Information) that centers on the ultra-slim "iPhone 17 Air." In the United States, all models from the iPhone 14 to the iPhone 16 have already transitioned to a design that does not include a SIM card tray. The iPhone 17 Air prototypes are between 5 and 6 millimeters thick, a dramatic reduction compared to the iPhone 16 at 7.8 mm. The ...

NVIDIA Reveals AI Model for Sound ProductionWashington, 26 Nov (ONA) --- NVIDIA has unveiled a new experimental AI model called "Foundational Generative Audio Transformer Opus 1", or Fugatto, a model that is essentially dedicated to sound. This model is characterized by its ability to create or modify music, audio and audio files based on text prompts. It was designed by a team of AI researchers from around the world, making the model's multi-accent and multilingual capabilities stronger. "We wanted to create a model that understands and generates sound like ...

Epsilon Rocket Engine Catches Fire at Japan Space Agency Test CenterTokyo, 26 Nov (ONA) - An engine being developed for use in the Epsilon S small rocket today went up in flames during a combustion test at a facility in southwestern Japan. Flames emerged first before the sound of an explosion was heard around a minute later and white smoke enveloped the area, according to Japan's News Agency (Kyodo). The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said that the fire at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture follows another incident in July 2023 ...

Chinese Rocket Debris Long March-7 Y9 Landed in Atlantic Ocean WatersBeijing, 25 Nov (ONA) --- Debris from the recently launched Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket fell back to Earth with the vast majority of the remnants burning up during the reentry process, the China Manned Space Agency said. The reentry took place around 21:49 (Beijing time), the agency said in a brief statement, noting that debris from the second stage of the rocket eventually landed in the Atlantic Ocean waters located at a latitude of 28.3 degrees north and a longitude of 52.9 degrees west. Carrying ...

Microsoft Tests Windows 11 Support for Third-Party Passkeys Washington, 24 Nov (ONA) --- Microsoft is testing WebAuthn API updates that add support for support for using third-party passkey providers for Windows 11 passwordless authentication.Passkeys use biometric authentication, such as fingerprints and facial recognition, to provide a more secure and convenient alternative to traditional passwords, thus significantly reducing data breach risks.The company has been collaborating with credential providers like 1Password, Bitwarden, and others since early October when it first ...

Threads Tests AI-Powered Summaries of Trending Topics Washington, 24 Nov (ONA) --- Threads is testing an expanded Trending Topics feature, as well as new AI summaries and improved search tools.Users will now be able to search for posts within specific date ranges or search for posts from a single account.The updates, according to Instagram Head Adam Mosseri, are "long overdue." Meta has been moving quickly to update Threads at a time when many X users are moving to Bluesky, which has now surpassed 20 million users.Earlier this week, the social network rolled out custom feeds to allow ...

India Announces Successful Hypersonic Missile TestNew Delhi, 17 Nov (ONA) --- India has successfully tested a domestically developed long-range hypersonic missile. The Indian missile, developed by the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and industry partners, is designed to carry payloads for ranges exceeding 1,500 km (930 miles) for the armed forces.--- ...

China Launches Ocean-salinity Detection SatelliteBeijing, 14 Nov (ONA) --- China today sent a new satellite for ocean-salinity detection into space from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The satellite was launched using a Long March-4B Y53 carrier rocket, and has successfully entered its preset orbit. The satellite will fill the gap of China's high-precision global ocean-salinity detection capabilities, improve data collection on ocean dynamics and environmental ...

Xiaomi to Release AI Smart Glasses in Q2 of 2025Beijing, 14 Nov (ONA) --- Xiaomi is reportedly gearing to unveil smart glasses that offer support for features backed by artificial intelligence (AI) in collaboration with Goertek, in the second quarter of 2025. Other firms like Meta, Snap, and Baidu have either launched or unveiled glasses equipped with cameras, and Xiaomi's purported wearable is also expected to offer similar functionality. The purported AI glasses from Xiaomi will reportedly offer features found on similar devices, such as the Ray-Ban Meta Smart ...

44% of Warm-water Coral Species Face Extinction: StudyBaku, 13 Nov (ONA) --- Almost half of warm-water reef-building coral species are at risk of extinction, conservationists have warned after a global assessment released at the UN climate conference in Baku. The conservation status for all 892 species was analysed for the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of threatened species ahead of COP29 in Azerbaijan. The corals are found in shallow, warm-water habitats and form the colourful reefs seen in tropical and sub-tropical ocean areas. ...

China Launches Commercial Carrier Rocket with 15 Satellites OnboardBeijing, 11 Nov (ONA) —- China today launched the Lijian-1 Y5 commercial carrier rocket with 15 satellites onboard. The rocket blasted this morning from a commercial aerospace innovation pilot zone in northwest China and sent the 15 satellites, including the Jilin-1 Gaofen series, Yunyao-1 series, Xiguang-1 series, and a remote-sensing satellite launched for the Sultanate of Oman, into their planned orbits, China's News Agency (Xinhua) reported.—- ...

Windows Mail and Calendar to Stop working after 31 December: MicrosoftWashington, 10 Nov (ONA) —- Microsoft announced that Windows Mail, Calendar, and People apps will no longer be supported after 31 December 2024. "Support for Windows Mail, Calendar, and People will end on December 31, 2024," the Microsoft Support website explains. "We're currently in the process of moving existing users to the new Outlook for Windows. After December 31, 2024, users will no longer be able to send and receive email using Windows Mail and Calendar. Any local emails, calendar events, ...

Chinese Shenzhou-18 Crew Return to Earth SafelyBeijing, 4 Nov (ONA) --- The Shenzhou-18 crew consisting of three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth safely in the early morning today, after completing a six-month space station mission. Shenzhou-18's return capsule touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Mongolia Region. The crew had all left the return capsule, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The three astronauts, after staying in orbit for 192 days, were all in good health and the Shenzhou-18 manned mission was a success, ...

Google Maps Platform, Google Earth Get Generative AI UpdatesWashington, 3 Nov (ONA) —- Google has introduced new generative AI capabilities for Google Maps Platform and Google Earth to provide developers and urban planners with fresh, real-world information and to help solve geospatial problems. Users of Google Maps will be able to ask natural-language questions about places on the map and see AI-generated summaries of human-written reviews, the company said. By bringing Gemini, Google’s generative AI model, into Maps, Google will be looking to ensure that ...

China's Shenzhou-19 Spaceship Docks with Space Station CombinationBeijing, 30 Oct (ONA) —- China's Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship successfully docked with the space station combination today, according to the China Manned Space Agency. The spaceship made a fast, automated rendezvous and docking with the front port of the space station's core module Tianhe. The astronaut trio aboard the spaceship will then enter the Tianhe module. Meanwhile, the Shenzhou-18 crew members are ready for their arrival. The spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, ...

China Unveils Shenzhou-19 Crew for Space Station MissionBeijing, 29 Oct (ONA) --- Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze will carry out the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceflight mission, and Cai will be the commander, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced at a press conference today. Spokesperson of the agency, Lin Xiqiang, said the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched on tomorrow morning from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. Cai completed the Shenzhou-14 space mission in 2022. Song and Wang, among ...

Google's AI Search Overviews Go GlobalWashington, 29 Oct (ONA) —- Google announced that it is significantly expanding its AI Overviews feature in Search to over 100 countries and territories, aiming to transform the search experience for a global audience. Following its initial launch in May and subsequent expansion beyond the United States in August, this roll-out will make information more accessible around the world and search results more helpful. Google states that AI Overviews have been generally well-received, with users finding them beneficial in ...

Meta Develops Own AI Search EngineWashington, 29 Oct (ONA) —- Meta Platforms is developing an artificial intelligence-based search engine specifically designed for its chatbot, as it looks to reduce dependence on Google and Microsoft's Bing. Meta’s efforts to create an independent search engine have been underway for at least eight months. The goal is to develop a web indexing system that can be integrated into Meta AI, providing the chatbot with an alternative to traditional search engines like Google Search and Microsoft Bing. Earlier this summer, Meta ...

Instagram Lowers Video Quality with Few ViewsWashington, 28 Oct (ONA) --- The photo and video-sharing platform Instagram announced that it is reducing the quality of videos that do not receive a large number of views, in a move aimed at managing resources more efficiently. In general, the goal is to show the highest-quality video, but if something is not watched for a long time because the majority of views are in the beginning, the quality of the video will be reduced, and if it is watched again, gains significant views again, it will be re-rendered it to a higher ...

China Launches New Remote-Sensing Satellite GroupBeijing, 23 Oct (ONA) --- China launched a Long March-2C carrier rocket today to place a new group of remote-sensing satellites in space. The satellites of the Yaogan-43 03 group were launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan and entered the preset orbit, according to China's News Agency (Xinhua). They will be mainly used for tests on new technologies for low-orbit constellations. This was the 542nd flight mission of the Long March series rockets.--- ...

Researchers Unravel Complex Radiocarbon Processes in Ice CoresCanberra, 21 Oct (ONA) --- Researchers from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) have co-authored a significant research paper on the production, retention, and loss of in situ cosmogenic radiocarbon (^14C) in Greenland's firn layer and shallow ice. The paper, published in The Cryosphere, was led by an international team from the University of Rochester and has broad implications for ^14C measurements in ice sheets.The researchers emphasized the importance of understanding ^14C isotopes in ...

New Invention Harvests lithium From Salty WaterCalifornia,US, 15 Oct (ONA) ----A groundbreaking solar-powered device has been developed to harvest lithium from brines with minimal greenhouse gas emissions, providing a sustainable alternative for lithium production, which is increasingly essential for rechargeable batteries.The innovative floating device, created by a team led by Baoxia Mi from the University of California, Berkeley, and Jia Zhu from Nanjing University, is inspired by plants that extract ions from salty environments.Featuring a hierarchically structured membrane system, the ...

Microsoft Adds New Features to OneDriveWashington, 9 Oct (ONA) —- Microsoft has added new features to its cloud storage service (OneDrive) for its individual and corporate customers. According to Microsoft, the new updates aim to help users work intelligently and orderly, and enable them to easily recover precious memories, emphasizing that they have improved OneDrive's performance significantly, especially when it comes to browsing large document libraries and facilitating their sorting, as well as improving the performance of various tasks. The company ...

Enhanced Electrocapillarity Technique Advances Battery Interface AnalysisWashington, 8 Oct (ONA) --- Researchers at Penn State, USA, have developed a groundbreaking method to examine battery components in unprecedented detail.Focusing on the electrode-electrolyte interface, where ions transfer and power flows, they’ve improved electrocapillarity to measure how surface tension changes with voltage shifts.This interface, crucial for battery efficiency, has historically been challenging to analyze due to its nanoscale and dynamic nature.Using advanced sensors, researchers can now ...

China's in-Orbit Satellite Performs AI Large-model TestsBeijing, 8 Oct (ONA) --- ADA Space, a Chinese AI satellite internet technology company, announced that its recently-launched satellite has successfully completed the technical verification of AI large-model technology during the in-orbit operation. From 25 September to 5 October 2024, the satellite conducted 13 tests of its AI large model, involving multiple types of inference questions under various operating and temperature conditions. The technical test validated the space adaptability of the company's AI ...

Air Pollution Linked to Brain Atrophy but No Effect on Cognition Amsterdam, 7 Oct (ONA) --- A study published in Environment International has linked exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in air pollution to signs of cerebral atrophy in middle-aged and older adults, though no effect on cognitive function was observed. Researchers noted that high PM2.5 exposure was associated with decreased gray matter and increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume, indicating possible brain atrophy, particularly in men’s white matter. These associations, however, lost ...

Apple to Unveil New Generation of iPhone SE Next YearWashington, 7 Oct (ONA) —- Tech giant Apple is reportedly gearing up to unveil a new generation of the iPhone SE next year (2025). According to a report by 9to5Mac, a leading website that offers the latest Apple news, one of the standout features of the upcoming iPhone SE 4 will likely be Apples debut 5G modem. The report also highlights that the forthcoming model could feature a more contemporary design similar to the iPhone 14. It could possibly come with flat edges and an OLED display that might have a notch ...