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Rocket Report: China wants a Raptor 3 engine; SpaceX set for big Starship test
The article’s main theme is the intensifying competition and uncertainty in the launch industry. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 fleet has become so heavily booked that customers are turning to alternatives such as Europe’s Avio, while United Launch Alliance faces declining fortunes because its business remains tied to expendable rockets rather than reusable, diversified systems. China’s commercial…
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Flash floods can strike without warning — this new technology could change that
A new satellite-based technology called the Transient Artifact and Continuous Learning System (TACLS) is being developed to provide earlier warning of flash floods in the United States. The system uses machine learning to detect areas at risk of flooding sooner, potentially allowing the National Weather Service to issue alerts before communities are already inundated—a critical…
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Bombing kills at least 15 and wounds dozens as ‘vehicle filled with explosives is driven into Pakistan mosque’
At least 15 people were killed and dozens wounded when a powerful explosion struck a mosque in Kohat, north-western Pakistan. Police said an explosives-laden vehicle may have been driven into the mosque, while armed attackers also tried to enter a nearby police compound, prompting a gun battle. Most casualties were worshippers, and some injured people…
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Japan raises interest rates to 31-year high as central bankers fight inflation; retail sales rise in Great Britain – business live
A software defect in the UK’s air traffic control system caused a six-hour outage last week, resulting in widespread flight cancellations and delays across the country. Meanwhile, Japan’s central bank has raised interest rates to their highest level in 31 years as central banks worldwide attempt to combat inflation linked to Middle Eastern conflict, signalling…
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China is building ‘first-ever mothership capable of launching submarine drones’
Satellite imagery has revealed that China is constructing the world’s first underwater mothership designed to launch and recover large autonomous submarine drones, known as XXLUUVs (extra-extra-large uncrewed undersea vehicles). The vessel, under construction at a Shanghai shipyard, represents a significant advancement in China’s naval capabilities and underscores its strategic focus on maritime operations. Defence experts…
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You can’t catch me! Moment mischievous cat causes chaos at vets
A white cat sparked a chaotic escape at a veterinary clinic in Guangdong, China, after breaking free from its carrier when two veterinarians opened it. The incident was captured on CCTV footage, highlighting the unpredictable nature of animals in veterinary settings and the difficulties pets can pose during routine procedures. The feline darted rapidly around…
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Huawei’s next-gen Ascend NPUs could become China’s best option
Huawei has unveiled the Ascend 960DT, a next-generation AI accelerator intended to give Chinese developers a stronger domestic alternative as US export restrictions limit access to Nvidia’s newest chips. Due in the first quarter of 2027—three quarters earlier than expected—the processor could become China’s best readily available option, despite remaining well behind leading Western hardware…
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China’s Salt Typhoon backdoors Latin American orgs with new snooping malware
China-linked cyber-espionage group Salt Typhoon has deployed a newly identified backdoor, SparroWocky, against government agencies and other high-profile organisations across Latin America since at least August 2025. Researchers at ESET said the group shifted its focus to the region amid heightened US-China tensions, potentially seeking intelligence on governments’ responses to expanding US pressure and China’s…
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Wife of US scholar jailed in China asks Trump to raise arrest at Xi meeting
Sylvia Zin, wife of US scholar U Min Zin, has urged President Donald Trump to seek her husband’s release when he meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington. Min Zin was arrested in China on spying and national-security charges after attending an academic conference, and his family and US lawmakers say the case highlights concerns…