NASA Holds First , Public Meeting of Expert Panel , on UFO Sightings.
'The Independent' reports that NASA has
convened a public meeting revolving around
sightings of unexplained phenomena.
.
A panel has been tasked with investigating
sightings of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
(UAPs), otherwise frequently known as UFOs.
NASA's first public discussion of
the topic comes ahead of a report
expected to be published later this year.
According to NASA, the panel seeks to make
it easier to submit reports of sightings
and investigate their nature.
.
The presence of UAPs raises concerns
about the safety of our skies, and it’s
this nation’s obligation to determine
if these phenomena pose any
potential risks to airspace safety, Daniel Evans, NASA’s assistant deputy associate
administrator for research, via 'The Independent'.
According to Daniel Evans, NASA’s assistant deputy associate
administrator for research, the work highlights the agency's , “responsibility to be honest and
forthright and to follow the science.”.
The panel's chair, David Spergel, called for better data and
echoed other panelists' arguments that a "stigma" about
reporting sightings made it difficult to make a full examination.
NASA has unveiled striking images capturing the extensive flooding in the UAE following the recent torrential rainfall. Describing it as a "slow-moving storm," NASA highlighted the unprecedented deluge that inundated the Gulf states, surpassing a year's worth of rainfall in some regions. According to the UAE's meteorological department, the country received a staggering 6.04 billion cubic metres of rain last week, nearly equivalent to its annual precipitation of 6.7 billion cubic metres. This remarkable event underscores the magnitude of the weather phenomenon that swept across the region.
#DubaiFloods #UAEFloods #NASAImages #FloodedUAE #RainInUAE #UAEWeather #FloodMonitoring #NASAData #UAEEnvironment #ClimateChange
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Nasa granted awards for the human exploration rover challenge on Monday to two Indian student teams from Delhi-NCR and Mumbai. The "Crash and Burn" award went to.. IndiaTimes
Isro's S Somnath discusses Aditya L1 solar mission's ongoing Sun data transmission and instrument observations. The 5-year mission includes solar eclipse data.. IndiaTimes
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
A group representing the fired
workers said the total number of staff
terminated for protesting is now over 50. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
Last week, workers held sit-in
protests at Google's offices in both
New York and Sunnyvale, California.
The protests were organized by the group
No Tech For Apartheid, who said that 30 workers
were fired following the initial sit-in. .
According to Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for
No Tech For Apartheid, Google has now fired
"over 20" more workers, “including non-participating
bystanders during last week’s protests.”.
Google’s aims are clear:
the corporation is attempting
to quash dissent, silence
its workers, and reassert
its power over them, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
Google has disputed the group's claims,
stressing that the company carefully found that, “every single one of those whose employment
was terminated was personally and definitively
involved in disruptive activity inside our buildings.”
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Upcoming , Lyrid Meteor Shower , May Be Hard to See.
'The Independent' reports that skywatchers
looking to catch the Lyrid meteor shower
may be foiled by the moon. .
This year's peak activity occurs
on April 21 and 22, with up to
20 meteors expected per hour. .
Potential viewing should
last through April 29. .
However, the American Meteor Society
warns that strong moonlight
may interfere with viewing. .
Every year, multiple meteor showers
occur and don't require special
equipment to see them. .
For the most part, meteor showers originate
from debris left behind by comets, like the Lyrids,
which come from the comet Thatcher. .
As these space rocks enter the Earth's atmosphere,
air resistance makes them extremely hot,
which causes the air around them to glow.
This glow leaves a fiery trail behind
the meteor, which can be observed
from the ground as a "shooting star.".
Look to the northeast and just
keep staring at the same spot
in the sky. It's always impressive
when you see these things, Don Pollacco, University of Warwick
astronomer, via 'The Independent'.
The Lyrids are best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere,
while the upcoming Eta Aquarids meteor shower
can best be seen from the Southern Hemisphere.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Microsoft Makes $1.5 Billion , Investment in Leading , UAE Technology Firm.
Microsoft Makes $1.5 Billion , Investment in Leading , UAE Technology Firm.
'The Independent' reports that Microsoft has announced
a $1.5 billion investment in a leading United Arab
Emirates-based artificial intelligence firm. .
'The Independent' reports that Microsoft has announced
a $1.5 billion investment in a leading United Arab
Emirates-based artificial intelligence firm. .
The deal, overseen by the UAE's powerful national security
adviser, will see Microsoft president Brad Smith join
technology holding company G42's board of directors.
The deal, overseen by the UAE's powerful national security
adviser, will see Microsoft president Brad Smith join
technology holding company G42's board of directors.
The UAE's national security adviser,
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the
current chairman of G42's board of directors. .
In a statement released on April 16, Microsoft
said the deal “was developed in close consultation
with both the UAE and U.S. governments.”.
In a statement released on April 16, Microsoft
said the deal “was developed in close consultation
with both the UAE and U.S. governments.”.
G42, which runs data centers in the Middle East
and elsewhere, has built the world's leading
Arabic-language AI model, Jais. .
According to Microsoft, G42 will move its
AI applications and services over to the U.S.
tech giant's cloud computing platform. .
According to Microsoft, G42 will move its
AI applications and services over to the U.S.
tech giant's cloud computing platform. .
The deal will also look to bring digital infrastructure
to regions that G42 has already established
a presence, including the Middle East and Africa.
'The Independent' reports that G42 previously cut ties with
Chinese hardware suppliers to limit U.S. concerns that
the company was closely tied to the Chinese government.
'The Independent' reports that G42 previously cut ties with
Chinese hardware suppliers to limit U.S. concerns that
the company was closely tied to the Chinese government.
Prior to Microsoft's investment, the company
reportedly faced allegations of spying for its
connection to a mobile phone app identified as spyware.
The tech company also faced accusations
that it gathered genetic material from
U.S. users for the Chinese government. .
The tech company also faced accusations
that it gathered genetic material from
U.S. users for the Chinese government.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
EPA Takes Aim at, US Chemical Emissions, That Are Likely Carcinogens.
'The Independent' reports that over 200 chemical
plants in the United States will be required
to reduce toxic emissions under a new rule. .
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
released the new rule regarding toxic
emissions likely to cause cancer on April 9.
The rule is meant to deliver critical health protections
for communities faced with industrial pollution from
dangerous chemicals, such as chloroprene and ethyl oxide.
The rule will significantly reduce
emissions from the Denka Performance
Elastomer facility in LaPlace, Louisiana.
The facility is the largest producer of
chloroprene emissions in the U.S., according
to EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
Every community in this country
deserves to breathe clean air.
That’s why I took the Journey
to Justice tour to communities
like St. John the Baptist Parish,
where residents have borne
the brunt of toxic air for far too long, Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, via 'The Independent'.
We promised to listen to folks that
are suffering from pollution and act
to protect them. Today we deliver
on that promise with strong final
standards to slash pollution,
reduce cancer risk and ensure
cleaner air for nearby communities, Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, via 'The Independent'.
According to officials, the changes
are meant to reduce ethylene oxide and
chloroprene emissions in the U.S. by nearly 80%.
'The Independent' reports that the rule updates
several regulations on chemical plant emissions
that have not been altered in nearly 20 years.
The EPA said that the new rule will reduce a total of over
6,200 tons of toxic air pollutants annually in an effort
to address health risks in neighboring communities
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Scientists Capture , Radio Signals , From Long-Dormant Star.
'The Independent' reports that scientists have
been puzzled after receiving unprecedented
radio signals from a previously dormant star.
The star, named XTE J1810-197, is a magnetar. .
Magnetars are a type of neutron star and are
the most powerful magnets in the universe.
XTE J1810-197 is the nearest known magnetar
to Earth, about 8,000 light years away.
Now, scientists have received radio
pulses from the dormant star that
do not fit previous expectations.
Unlike the radio signals we’ve
seen from other magnetars,
this one is emitting enormous
amounts of rapidly changing
circular polarisation. We had never
seen anything like this before, Marcus Lower, Postdoctoral fellow
at Australia’s national science agency,
CSIRO, via 'The Independent'.
Scientists discovered that the new pulses are emitting
a type of spiraling light that is different from the
polarized light emitted by most other magnetars.
In 2003, XTE J1810-197 became
the first known magnetar to
produce a radio signal.
After being discovered, the magnetar
then went silent for over a decade. .
The team that discovered it said that
the findings could change our
understanding of intense magnetic fields.
The signals emitted from
this magnetar imply that
interactions at the surface
of the star are more complex than
previous theoretical explanations, Manisha Caleb, University of Sydney,
a co-author on the study, via 'The Independent'.
The team's findings were published
in the journal 'Nature Astronomy.'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
White House Issues New Rules , on How Government Can Use AI.
White House Issues New Rules , on How Government Can Use AI.
The policy was released by the White House on March 28, 'The Hill' reports. .
It is intended to reduce AI risks
within the government.
According to a White House memo, federal agencies must now appoint a chief AI officer, add safeguards and issue reports about how AI is being used. .
Those reports will also be made public, according to 'The Hill.'.
However, some AI uses, such as those
employed by the Department of Defense, do not require reports because they would be "inconsistent with applicable law and government policy.".
Agencies will have 60 days
to appoint a chief AI officer.
Safeguards to protect Americans' rights and safety must be implemented by December.
Vice President Kamala Harris
weighed in on the development.
I believe that all leaders
from governments, civil society
and the private sector have a
moral, ethical and societal duty... , Vice President Kamala Harris, via call with reporters.
... to make sure that artificial
intelligence is adopted and advanced
in a way that protects the public from
potential harm, while ensuring everyone
is able to enjoy its full benefits, Vice President Kamala Harris, via call with reporters
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
This Day in History:, US Withdraws From Vietnam.
March 29, 1973.
After eight years of an extremely
unpopular war with North Vietnam,
the last U.S. combat troops left South Vietnam.
Peace talks between the U.S. and communist
North Vietnam had begun in 1968, culminating with
a peace agreement signed in January of 1973.
Provision of the agreement included a
ceasefire throughout Vietnam, the withdrawal
of American troops and the release of POWs.
7,000 U.S. Defense Department civilians
remained in Saigon to assist the South in their
continued efforts against the North.
The remaining U.S. civilians would be airlifted out
of Saigon a year later when the city fell to the North.
58,000 American and an estimated
2 million Vietnamese lives
were lost in the war
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:00Published
Crisis in Haiti , Could Drive Another Wave of , Illegal Immigration in the US.
'Newsweek' reports that the United States
could be facing another wave of illegal
immigration driven by refugees fleeing Haiti.
On March 11, President Ariel Henry said
he would resign amid widespread gang
violence and a breakdown of law and order.
An estimated 80% of Port-au-Prince,
the Haitian capital, are under
the control of armed gangs.
An estimated 80% of Port-au-Prince,
the Haitian capital, are under
the control of armed gangs.
We are alert to that possibility.
The driving conditions in Haiti
could very well press
more people [to migrate], Rebecca Zimmerman, Department of Defense official,
via 'Newsweek'.
Thomas Gift, the head of the Centre on U.S. Politics
at University College London, warned that
a deepening immigration crisis would pose
a serious challenge for the Biden administration.
Fair or unfair, anything that
highlights the immigration
crisis is a net negative
for Biden at the moment, Thomas Gift, the head of the Centre on U.S. Politics
at University College London, via 'Newsweek'.
To the extent that the tragedy
in Haiti puts a new refugee story
in the headlines, it will only make
the immigration issue more
salient for American voters. , Thomas Gift, the head of the Centre on U.S. Politics
at University College London, via 'Newsweek'.
At the same time, Biden's
hands will no doubt be tied
by progressive groups who
will insist that the White House
not repatriate refugees back to
Haiti given the huge political
instability in the country, Thomas Gift, the head of the Centre on U.S. Politics
at University College London, via 'Newsweek'.
According to a Monmouth University survey,
84% of voters in the U.S. consider illegal
immigration a "serious" or "very serious" issue.
In 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared
a state of emergency after hundreds of
migrants from Haiti and Cuba arrived by boat.
An estimated 146,000 Haitian migrants
were encountered at the U.S. border
between October 2020 and May 2023
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
In a high-stakes scenario, the US Department of Defense is closely monitoring a collision risk in space involving an American and a Russian satellite. The two satellites in question are NASA's Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) mission spacecraft and the Russian Cosmos 2221 satellite.
#USDepartmentOfDefence #TIMEDSpacecraft #Cosmos2221Satellite #SpaceCollision #TIMEDMission #NASA
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