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NASA awards SpaceX $946m for three more ISS missions
NASA has added $946 million to SpaceX’s commercial crew contract for three further Crew Dragon missions to the International Space Station, helping secure astronaut access while Boeing’s Starliner programme remains uncertain. The deal covers Crew-15 through Crew-17 and related launch, support, cargo, recovery and emergency-lifeboat services, raising SpaceX’s contract value to $5.92 billion. The missions…
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The Best Productivity Setups for Freelancers Working Around Sheffield
The article offers practical productivity advice for freelancers working in and around Sheffield. It argues that choosing the right environment, improving digital security and reducing distractions can help independent workers stay focused and manage their time more effectively. Suggestions include using co-working spaces such as Work Station and Union St for demanding work, cafés for…
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Lib Dems embroiled in new trans rights row as leader Ed Davey says he backs conference vote on scrapping protection for women-only spaces
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has said he supports a party conference motion to replace current guidance on single-sex spaces, deepening an internal dispute over transgender rights and women’s protections. The motion challenges Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance requiring facilities such as toilets, changing rooms and hospital wards to be allocated according to…
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Flying taxis are taking off in Texas. Is your city next?
Texas has begun testing how electric flying taxis could operate in its airspace through Project Nexus, a three-year programme led by the Texas Department of Transportation. Demonstrations by BETA Technologies and Joby Aviation mark an early step towards integrating electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft into existing transport networks, although no passengers were carried. The…
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The Biggest Sci-Fi Hit of 2026 Is Officially Back in the Streaming Spotlight
Project Hail Mary, the sci-fi adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, has become the defining film of 2026 so far. The film has successfully transitioned to streaming, now ranking ninth on the Prime Video top ten in the United States, demonstrating its continued appeal to audiences. It faces upcoming…
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Axel Rudakubana faces further charges over alleged Belmarsh attacks
Axel Rudakubana, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the Southport dance-class murders, appeared via video link at Westminster Magistrates’ Court facing charges linked to alleged attacks on staff at Belmarsh prison. The case matters because it involves further alleged offences committed while he was imprisoned, including violence and possession of a weapon. The charges…
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After 8 Years in Space, ‘BepiColombo’ Is Finally Approaching Mercury
BepiColombo has entered the final phase of its eight-year journey to Mercury after successfully separating its propulsion module. The joint ESA–JAXA mission matters because Mercury is exceptionally difficult to reach and has been visited by only two previous probes; its observations could improve understanding of how rocky planets, including Earth, formed and evolved. The spacecraft…
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‘Our culture is rich and we need our own space’: the fight to build a permanent centre for Deaf people
Urban planner and deaf activist Amanprit Arnold has launched the DeafCity Hub campaign to create a permanent dedicated cultural and co-working space for the Deaf community in the UK. Despite 18 million people in the UK having hearing issues, there is currently no dedicated centre for Deaf arts anywhere in the country, and Arnold argues…
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SpaceXAI’s Grok Bot is in early beta – Here’s how to try it
SpaceXAI has opened an early public beta of Grok Bot, an AI work assistant that can operate services such as Gmail, LinkedIn and Salesforce on a user’s behalf. Unlike the company’s chatbot and coding agent, Grok Bot is designed to complete multi-step tasks, communicate with users and request approval when necessary, making it potentially useful…
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Tom Petty Apparently Stopped Liking This Huge 1989 Hit Because Everyone Else Did
Tom Petty has revealed that he no longer considers “Free Fallin'” one of his favourite songs, despite acknowledging it is one of his finest works. The 1989 hit, written with Jeff Lynne for his debut solo album Full Moon Fever, became such a massive cultural anthem that its extraordinary popularity diminished Petty’s personal affection for…