Yearly Archives: 2025

Indian-British Scientist’s Exoplanet Discoveries Stir Hope On Alien Life

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The vast cosmos has always been a source of intrigue, with the quest for life beyond Earth spanning decades. The recent revelation of potential biosignatures on the exoplanet K2-18b has sent ripples through the astronomical community. This has prompted a retrospective look at the past decade of discoveries that have revolutionized our understanding of planetary habitability.

The journey began with NASA’s Kepler mission, which opened the floodgates to the discovery of thousands of exoplanets, planets beyond our solar system. Among these, a select few have been found within the coveted habitable zone, a region around a star where conditions could potentially support liquid water, a key ingredient for life as we know it.

One of the earliest and most celebrated discoveries was Kepler-186f, a rocky planet approximately 500 light-years away from Earth. Similar in size to our home planet and orbiting within its star’s habitable zone, the discovery of Kepler-186f in 2014 marked a significant milestone in the search for Earth-like planets.

New Discoveries

In 2017, the discovery of a system of seven Earth-sized planets orbiting a dim red dwarf named TRAPPIST-1 further piqued the interest of the scientific community. Three of these planets, named e, f, and g, were found within the habitable zone. Their size and proximity to each other made them ideal candidates for atmospheric analysis. However, subsequent studies raised concerns about the extreme stellar flares of their host star, which could potentially strip away their atmospheres, casting a shadow over their habitability.

Closer to home, the discovery of Proxima b in 2016, a mere 4.2 light-years away, sparked global interest. Slightly larger than Earth and orbiting within a potentially temperate zone, Proxima b seemed a promising candidate for life. However, its parent star, Proxima Centauri, is known for its volatility, raising doubts about the planet’s long-term habitability.

In recent years, LHS 1140 b, a dense, rocky planet 40 light-years away, has emerged as a strong contender in the search for extraterrestrial life. With a stable orbit and early indications of an atmosphere, it is a prime target for upcoming investigations by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

The Spotlight on K2-18b

Adding to the growing list of potential life-supporting planets is TOI 700 d, confirmed in 2020 by NASA’s TESS observatory. Receiving nearly the same amount of light as Earth and orbiting a quiet red dwarf, it raises hopes for a relatively undisturbed environment. However, atmospheric data remains elusive, leaving its habitability status uncertain.

The current spotlight, however, is on K2-18b, a sub-Neptune-sized planet first identified in 2015. Located 124 light-years away, the planet has shown signs of water vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide. In 2023, astronomer Nikku Madhusudhan and his team reported faint traces of dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a molecule produced on Earth only by life. New observations in 2025 using a different JWST instrument strengthened the case for DMS and a related compound, dimethyl disulfide (DMDS).

Despite these promising findings, experts urge caution. Dr. Ryan MacDonald of the University of Michigan stated, “These new JWST observations do not offer convincing evidence that DMS or DMDS are present.” Others, like NASA’s Nicholas Wogan, have acknowledged the improved data but stress the need for independent verification.

The consensus among scientists is that while these planets show potential, confirming life—or even just conditions for it—remains an immense challenge. The “five-sigma” statistical confidence required to claim a discovery in physics is still a long way off for most of these detections.

As we continue to explore the cosmos, we are reminded of the words of Dr. Thomas Beatty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who encapsulated the current state of affairs, saying, “Right now, we’re seeing a lot of ‘maybes.’” He added, “But even a maybe is remarkable, considering how far we’ve come.”

The search for extraterrestrial life has transformed our place in the cosmos—from passive observers to active explorers of worlds that, not so long ago, existed only in science fiction. As technology advances and instruments like JWST continue to refine their vision, the quest continues, reminding us of the vastness of the universe and the potential it holds.

Indian Market Makes Historic Recovery, Investors Gain Rs 10.9 Lakh Crore

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In an unprecedented turn of events, the Indian stock market made a remarkable recovery on Tuesday, April 15, as investors regained a colossal Rs 10.9 lakh crore in a single day. This recovery effectively wiped out the losses incurred following the US tariff shock on April 2, marking a significant milestone in the financial sector.

The Sensex, a benchmark index of the Bombay Stock Exchange, witnessed a surge of over 1,570 points, while the Nifty, the National Stock Exchange’s benchmark index, soared past the 22,300 mark. This marked one of the most substantial gains in recent months, reflecting a robust and resilient market.

The Broad-Based Recovery and Its Drivers

This recovery was not limited to a specific sector or a handful of stocks. Instead, it was broad-based, encompassing various sectors and indices. The driving force behind this rally was a combination of strong investor sentiment, positive global cues, and domestic optimism. The primary catalyst for this rally was a significant update on US trade policy.

The US administration announced a 90-day delay in tariffs for most countries, with the notable exception of China. This announcement served to calm investor nerves and reignite hopes for India’s position in global supply chains.

Financial stocks, due to their heavy weightage in the indices, led the charge, rising over 2 per cent. The midcap and smallcap indices, which had been underperforming recently, also saw a strong recovery, each rising by around 3 per cent. Market experts noted that domestic institutional investors turned aggressive buyers on Tuesday, further supporting the upward momentum. Asian markets were also firm, supported by a weaker US dollar and stable bond yields, giving Indian markets an additional boost as they reopened after an extended weekend.

India’s Position Amid Tariff War

India’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals continue to attract investor interest, apart from global cues. With robust domestic demand and limited direct exposure to US-China tensions, India is increasingly seen as a stable bet amid global uncertainties, market experts noted. While data on foreign institutional investor flows is yet to be released, early signs point to strong buying activity.

“Markets are adjusting the new reality of daily Trump twists and turns,” said Vikas Gupta, CEO and Chief Investment Strategist at OmniScience Capital. He added that sometimes when tariffs look like they have been temporarily removed, the markets will react positively, when something unexpected happens they will react negatively.

Wings of Love, Lost: Tragedy Strikes Indian-American Doctor’s Family in NY Plane Crash

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Boston, MA – In the golden afternoon light that filtered through the Boston skyline, Dr. Joy Saini was often seen striding through hospital corridors with the quiet strength of someone who had faced great odds—and risen above them. A beloved urogynecologist, mentor, mother, and daughter of Punjab, she carried both a scalpel and a story—a journey from the farmlands of India to the operating rooms of America.

That journey came to a tragic end this weekend.

Dr. Saini, her husband Dr. Michael Groff, and four members of their close-knit family were killed when their private Mitsubishi MU2B aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Columbia County Airport in upstate New York. The crash, which occurred Saturday, has left a gaping void in both the Indian-American medical community and the countless lives they touched.

Groff, a respected neurosurgeon and an experienced pilot who learned to fly at 16 from his father, was at the controls.

As investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board pieced together the wreckage strewn across a wooded area near the New York-Massachusetts border, the news sent ripples through Boston’s healthcare community. “She wasn’t just a doctor—she was hope in a white coat,” said a former patient of Saini’s, tears streaming as she laid a flower bouquet at the clinic where Saini worked. “She once told me, ‘We don’t just fix bodies, we rebuild lives.’ That’s what she did for me.”

Saini and Groff met as young medical students at the University of Pittsburgh—a meeting of minds and hearts that soon blossomed into a marriage. Their shared passion for healing lives was rivaled only by their love of the skies. Flying was their weekend escape, a tradition Michael passed down from his own father. “It made him feel free,” said a colleague. “Up there, he said he could leave the worries of the ICU behind.”

But Saturday’s flight turned fatal after Groff missed his initial landing approach. Air traffic controllers noted the plane was flying too low, and while Groff sought to circle back, it was too late.

Candles lit in Boston, Punjab Gurudwara

Among the victims were the couple’s two children—Karenna, a rising star in medical school, and Jared, a bright young man whose heart was set on environmental law. Karenna’s partner, James Santoro, an investment banker reportedly planning a marriage proposal, also perished. Jared’s girlfriend, Alexia Duarte, a law student remembered for her activism and gentle nature, was with him.

The only surviving immediate family members are the couple’s youngest daughter, Anika, and Dr. Saini’s mother, Kuljit Singh, who had once proudly told her neighbors in Punjab, “My daughter fixes women’s lives in America.”

Now, across continents, that same community grieves.

In a world already fatigued by headlines, this one stung deeply. Not just because of who they were—but because of what they represented: the promise of the immigrant dream, the beauty of building something across oceans, the strength of family ties stitched together with ambition, love, and service.

Candles were lit in Boston, Pittsburgh, and even in a small gurdwara in Punjab. A garlanded photo of Dr. Saini rests beside a prayer hall where elders now whisper stories of the girl who once boarded a plane to America with stars in her eyes.

From the sky they loved so dearly, they are gone—but their story remains, a legacy in white coats, textbooks, and hearts forever changed.

Surprise Twist After 6-Year Hunt, Fugitive Tycoon Mehul Choksi Arrested in Belgium

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In a dramatic turn of events that has stunned both investigators and the public, fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi—accused in India’s largest-ever bank fraud case—has been arrested in Belgium after years on the run. The unexpected arrest has rekindled hopes for justice in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam that rocked the country’s financial system in 2018.

Choksi, who had been hiding in Antigua and Barbuda since fleeing India, was reportedly detained in Belgium on the basis of a Red Corner Notice issued by Interpol at India’s request. The development comes after years of diplomatic and legal wrangling, and amid fears that the 64-year-old might never be brought back to face trial.

The timing and location of the arrest have added a layer of intrigue. While Indian authorities were focused on legal proceedings in the Caribbean, Choksi’s sudden appearance in Belgium has raised eyebrows. “This arrest was completely unexpected,” said a senior official from the Enforcement Directorate, which has been pursuing Choksi under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Adding a poignant twist to the saga is the voice of Hariprasad SV, the whistleblower who first flagged irregularities in PNB’s credit system back in 2013. Speaking to NDTV after Choksi’s arrest, Hariprasad said: “The important thing is not the arrest, the important thing is the recovery of money.” His statement underlines the enduring human cost of white-collar crimes—thousands of lives impacted, reputations destroyed, and public trust shaken.

In 2018, Indian authorities revealed that Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi had allegedly orchestrated a massive fraud using fake Letters of Undertaking issued by complicit PNB officials. The scam led to a massive clean-up in the banking sector and exposed gaping loopholes in financial oversight.

The PNB fraud not only destabilised one of India’s oldest banks, but also sent shockwaves through the global business community, given Choksi’s once-respectable stature as the owner of the Gitanjali Group and a well-known name in high-end jewellery circles.

Though Choksi repeatedly claimed he was being politically persecuted, Indian agencies pressed ahead, revoking his passport and mounting pressure through international legal channels. His Antigua citizenship further complicated matters, and in a dramatic episode in 2021, Choksi alleged he was abducted from the island nation—a claim that was later debunked by local courts.

What makes this arrest in Belgium even more riveting is the sheer unpredictability of it. Choksi had dropped out of the public eye, with his lawyers challenging extradition attempts on health and human rights grounds. There was growing concern that he might successfully outmaneuver the Indian legal system altogether.

With his arrest, India has renewed its extradition efforts. Sources say the Ministry of External Affairs has already begun formal communication with Belgian authorities. If successful, Choksi could finally face trial in India alongside Nirav Modi, who remains in a UK prison contesting his own extradition.

For the families of affected bank employees, investors, and taxpayers, this arrest is more than just a legal milestone. It is a glimmer of accountability. As Hariprasad poignantly noted, “People who loot public money should not be allowed to go scot-free.”

Shares of US chipmakers come under pressure after China retaliates with tariff hikes

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U.S. markets closed lower Friday after China announced steep tariff hikes on American goods, targeting semiconductors manufactured in the U.S. Texas Instruments fell 6.8%, Intel dropped 3.7%, and GlobalFoundries declined 2.4% amid fears of disrupted trade flows.

Shares of Nvidia and TSMC rose, buoyed by their offshore manufacturing. Analysts warn of escalating uncertainty in the sector, with sentiment now tightly linked to any progress on U.S.-China trade negotiations.

Shares of U.S. chipmakers with domestic manufacturing operations came under sharp pressure on Friday after China announced a steep escalation in tariffs on American goods, stoking fresh concerns over the ongoing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

Beijing said it will raise duties on U.S. imports from 84% to 125%, a move widely interpreted as a direct response to Washington’s earlier tariff measures. The China Semiconductor Industry Association clarified that the new customs rules would assess origin based on where chips are manufactured rather than the home country of the parent company—exposing firms with U.S.-based fabs to additional vulnerability.

Texas Instruments Inc. and Intel Corp. were among the hardest hit, with shares declining 6.8% and 3.7%, respectively. GlobalFoundries Inc. dropped 2.4%, while other chipmakers with manufacturing facilities in the U.S., including Analog Devices Inc. and Microchip Technology Inc., also traded lower. Skyworks Solutions Inc. and Qorvo Inc., both key suppliers to Apple Inc., were not spared from the selloff.

“This is an incredibly uncertain time for chipmakers, and this is certainly not going to help,” Wayne Kaufman, chief market analyst at Phoenix Financial Services told Bloomberg. “Anything that hurts semis more than they’ve already been hit is bad for the general market.”

Not all chipmakers were negatively affected. The tariffs exclude companies that design semiconductors but do not manufacture them domestically. As a result, Nvidia Corp. rose 2.2%, while U.S.-listed shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. gained 3.3%. Analysts noted this divergence, highlighting the potential for non-fabricating players to benefit from redirected demand and capacity.

Experts believe that the market may be overreacting in the case of Texas Instruments, pointing to the company’s long-standing advantages in product quality, breadth, cost structure, and customer support. Though TI’s share in China could erode somewhat, TI benefits from product performance would be difficult for Chinese OEMs to ignore altogether, they point out.

Thinking of Cancelling Your Credit Card? Here’s the invisible catch you should know

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When Ramesh, a 48-year-old IT professional from Pune, finally cleared the last rupee on his third credit card, he felt liberated. “Why keep it open if I don’t need it?” he thought, confidently snipping it in half.

But what Ramesh didn’t realize was that this small act of financial decluttering could quietly chip away at his CIBIL score.

It sounds logical, doesn’t it? Fewer cards mean fewer debts and less temptation. But the world of credit doesn’t always follow common sense. In fact, cancelling a credit card can send subtle tremors through your credit profile — and here’s how.

1. The Shrinking Credit Facility

Every credit card adds to your total available credit. So when you cancel one, especially a high-limit card, your overall limit shrinks. If your monthly spending habits remain unchanged, your credit utilisation ratio shoots up — and lenders interpret that as a red flag.

For example, if you previously had ₹2,00,000 in available credit and used ₹40,000 a month, you were using just 20%. Cancel a card with a ₹1,00,000 limit, and suddenly you’re using 40% — even though you’re spending the same. That uptick can ding your score.

2. A Shorter Credit Story

Lenders love long-term relationships. The longer your credit history, the more stable and reliable you appear. That’s why closing an old credit card can backfire. You’re essentially erasing a chapter from your credit story — one that may have shown years of responsible usage.

Suddenly, your average credit age drops, and your profile starts to look a bit more “green,” even if you’ve been financially disciplined for years.

3. Fewer Flavours in the Mix

Think of your credit score like a balanced diet — it needs variety. Having a mix of credit types (credit cards, personal loans, home loans, etc.) reflects your ability to manage different kinds of debt. Closing one or more credit cards reduces that credit mix, which can subtly affect your score.

But Wait — Sometimes Cancelling Is the Right Move

“Cancelling a credit card isn’t always a bad move, but it should be done strategically,” says Rohan Bhargava, Co-founder of CashKaro and EarnKaro. And he’s right. There are times when closing a card actually makes more sense than keeping it:

  • You’re paying a high annual fee for benefits you never use. If the perks don’t justify the cost, it’s better to opt out.

  • You tend to overspend when a particular card is in your wallet. If it’s a temptation trap, cutting it off might be the healthy choice.

  • You’re drowning in plastic — five, six, even seven cards. Managing them becomes a full-time job, and you’re constantly worried about due dates and fraud risks.

  • Life has changed — maybe a divorce or major financial shift. Shared cards can get messy, fast.

So How Do You Cancel Without Crashing Your Score?

Here’s your roadmap to a smooth exit:

✅ Clear all dues first — This seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many forget about interest or small pending payments.

✅ Shift your credit usage to another card — Keep that utilisation ratio balanced.

✅ Avoid closing multiple cards in quick succession — Space them out to soften the blow on your score.

✅ Hold onto your oldest card — Even if you don’t use it, its age works in your favour.

✅ Redeem your rewards — Don’t let hard-earned cashback and points disappear into the ether.

✅ Check your credit report post-closure — Make sure the closure is recorded accurately, and no ghost balances linger.


So, the sense of satisfaction from cancelling a card is real but so are the consequences in this credit-driven lifestyle. Approach it like a chess move, not at a spur-of-the-moment as even the right move made the wrong way can cost you points in the credit game.

Wall Street’s Magnificent Seven Wipe Out $2 Trillion in Market Value

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The elite group of U.S. tech megacaps, popularly dubbed the “Magnificent Seven,” has witnessed a sharp $2 trillion erosion in market value since April 2, following renewed trade tensions triggered by President Donald Trump’s announcement of sweeping reciprocal tariffs on nearly all trading partners. The announcement sent shockwaves through global equity markets, igniting a broad selloff across the tech-heavy Nasdaq and shaking investor sentiment.

However, a partial recovery was seen this week after Trump announced a 90-day pause on the proposed tariffs — excluding China — providing temporary relief to a market already under strain from elevated interest rates and weak earnings expectations. The move helped the group regain over $1.5 trillion in value in just a few trading sessions. Still, the recent bounce has not fully reversed the broader decline that began earlier this year.

Despite the rebound, volatility remains elevated. Nvidia emerged as the standout performer, surging nearly 25 percent in the past five trading sessions alone, fueled by renewed investor optimism around artificial intelligence infrastructure and rising global demand for AI chips. The company, which gained over 183 percent in 2024, continues to command strong interest despite a year-to-date correction of around 20 percent, partly driven by competition from China’s DeepSeek.

Tesla, by contrast, has become the biggest laggard within the group. Its stock has fallen 34 percent since the start of the year, battered by disappointing delivery numbers, ongoing price cuts, and concerns over slowing EV demand. While the stock has rebounded 13 percent in the past five days, it remains deeply in the red, raising fresh questions about the company’s near-term outlook and market positioning.

Other members of the group, including Apple, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Amazon, and Microsoft, posted gains this week in the range of 9 to 22 percent. Yet many remain underwater for the year. Apple has lost nearly 19 percent year-to-date, while Meta is down 10 percent despite a strong five-day rally. Microsoft, which saw an 11 percent gain this week, is still down roughly 7 percent for the year. Alphabet reiterated plans to invest $75 billion into data center expansion, while Microsoft is set to exceed $80 billion in infrastructure spending — both signaling long-term confidence in AI and cloud technologies.

The current pause in tariffs has been welcomed by global markets. Equity indices in the U.S., Europe, and Asia posted broad gains this week, with the Nasdaq jumping 12 percent in a single session — its strongest one-day rally since October 2008. Analysts, however, warn that the 90-day window could be merely a temporary reprieve unless meaningful progress is made on trade negotiations. Tariffs on Chinese imports have been raised to 125 percent, keeping geopolitical risk firmly in the picture.

With macroeconomic uncertainty persisting and tech valuations still elevated, institutional investors are likely to remain cautious. While the “Magnificent Seven” continue to dominate the technology and innovation landscape, their vulnerability to policy shocks, competition, and shifting demand is once again in focus. The coming weeks will test whether the recent recovery has legs or if another wave of selling is on the horizon.

SBI offers Special FD 2025 before May 31 with fixed Rs 31,000 guaranteed monthly income

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For many senior citizens, the idea of investing often feels like stepping into a world of uncertainty. The ups and downs of the market, complicated financial jargon, and risky ventures are best left to the younger crowd. What you want — and deserve — is something simple, secure, and steady.

That’s where the State Bank of India’s Special Fixed Deposit (FD) Scheme 2025 shines. It’s not just another deposit scheme — it’s a financial safety net thoughtfully designed for those who’ve spent a lifetime building, saving, and now wish to enjoy the rewards in peace.

Imagine receiving a guaranteed ₹31,000 every month, like clockwork, without worrying about stock market swings or inflation eating into your savings. SBI’s Special FD does just that.

With interest rates ranging from 7.10% to 7.65%, depending on the term you choose, this scheme offers assured monthly income while keeping your principal amount completely safe.

Here’s the magic: the interest you earn isn’t locked away. It’s handed back to you each month — a steady stream of income to cover your household expenses, healthcare, travel, or even a few indulgences.

How Much Do You Need to Invest?

Here’s a simple breakdown if you’re targeting a monthly income of ₹31,000:

Tenure Interest Rate Required Investment Total Income (Interest Only)
3 Years 7.10% ₹52,00,000 ₹11,16,000
5 Years 7.40% ₹49,50,000 ₹18,60,000
10 Years 7.65% ₹47,20,000 ₹37,20,000

The longer you invest, the lesser you need to deposit to earn the same ₹31,000 per month — thanks to higher interest rates.

A Perfect Fit for Senior Citizens

This FD scheme is especially attractive for retirees who want:

  • Predictability in their finances

  • No market risks

  • Monthly payouts without dipping into the capital

  • Peace of mind

If you’re a senior citizen, you might even enjoy additional interest benefits, giving your savings just that extra bit of stretch.

Added Benefits

  • Loan against FD: Need urgent funds? You can take a loan against your deposit — no need to break it.

  • Easy Application: Apply via your nearest SBI branch or from the comfort of your home using the SBI YONO app or website.

  • Tax Management: Submit Form 15H to avoid TDS, if eligible.

How It Compares

Investment Option Risk Monthly Return Liquidity Ideal For
SBI Special FD 2025 Very Low ₹31,000 Moderate Senior Citizens
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme Low ₹25,000 Moderate Conservative Investors
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme Very Low ₹27,000 Low Retirees

Retirement should be about relaxation, not risk. SBI’s Special FD 2025 gives you the comfort of knowing exactly what you’ll earn, when you’ll earn it, and that your savings are in good hands.

It’s more than an investment — it’s a promise of peace, predictability, and prosperity. And with the last date to apply being May 31, 2025, there’s no better time to secure your future.

Let your money work quietly, while you spend your retired life in serenity.

Foster + Partners Unveils Bold 3D-Printed Tower on Moon’s Surface

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British design and architecture powerhouse Foster + Partners has unveiled a striking new vision for off-Earth living: a 165-foot (50-meter) 3D-printed lunar skyscraper, engineered specifically for deployment at the Moon’s South Pole. Developed in collaboration with NASA and advanced manufacturing firm Branch Technology, the project signals a bold leap toward permanent human presence beyond Earth—and sets the stage for future Martian colonization.

The concept is more than just science fiction come to life. It’s a meticulously engineered structure tailored to survive and thrive in one of the harshest environments imaginable. Key to its feasibility is the use of in situ resources—namely, lunar regolith, the dust and rock found on the Moon’s surface—which would be transformed into durable construction material via 3D printing. This innovation addresses one of the most significant bottlenecks in space infrastructure: the prohibitive cost and complexity of hauling building materials from Earth.

Foster + Partners’ design is anchored by a spiraling tower capable of supporting essential power and communication systems. A set of expansive, fold-out solar panels—integral to the structure—will capture and store solar energy, ensuring self-sustaining power generation for lunar operations. The vertical form factor not only maximizes solar exposure in the Moon’s polar regions but also minimizes surface disruption, an increasingly important consideration in extraterrestrial architecture.

What sets this concept apart is its emphasis on autonomy. The structure is designed to be constructed by robotic systems with minimal human intervention, aligning with NASA’s broader ambitions to scale infrastructure development in space ahead of crewed missions. The initiative dovetails with the agency’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a long-term lunar presence as a springboard to Mars.

Prototype tower

“This is not just a visionary piece of architecture; it’s a prototype for how we might build sustainably and autonomously on other celestial bodies,” said a Foster + Partners spokesperson. “Our collaboration with NASA and Branch Technology represents a major step forward in developing practical solutions for space habitation.”

Currently, a detailed scale model of the lunar tower is on display at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of the “From Earth to Space and Back” exhibition, offering the public a closer look at what could soon become a landmark on the Moon.

Foster + Partners is no stranger to space architecture. The firm has previously worked with the European Space Agency on lunar habitat concepts, and its latest venture further cements its role at the forefront of space-enabled design thinking. As the global space race pivots from exploration to colonization, the intersection of cutting-edge architecture, robotics, and planetary science will be pivotal—and Foster + Partners appears poised to shape that future, one printed layer at a time.

Netflix’s Black Mirror Expands Universe with Launch of Interactive Game ‘Thronglets’

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In a bold leap from screen to smartphone, Netflix has launched Thronglets, an interactive mobile game based on its cult-favorite sci-fi series Black Mirror. Inspired by Season 7’s critically acclaimed episode “Plaything,” the new release pushes the boundary between entertainment and digital self-reflection—hallmarks of the Black Mirror brand.

Thronglets lets players care for small, sentient digital creatures known as “throng.” But unlike traditional virtual pets, these AI-driven beings come with unique personalities, existential anxieties, and the unsettling ability to question their own reality—and yours. Designed as a hybrid of nostalgic Tamagotchi mechanics and the social simulation depth of The Sims, the game allows users to feed, educate, entertain, and interact with their digital charges, all while navigating ethical questions about digital life and agency.

The app, available to Netflix subscribers on both iOS and Android, offers a fully immersive experience complete with ambient in-game environments and dynamic conversations that change based on user behavior. If you ignore your throng, it may fall into a depressive spiral. If you overmanage it, it might rebel. Each interaction nudges the digital entity toward different psychological states, encouraging players to reflect on their own emotional responses and digital habits.

“We wanted to explore what happens when a virtual companion isn’t just responsive—but aware,” said Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker in a statement. “Thronglets is an experiment in empathy, technology, and control. It’s unsettling, a bit funny, and sometimes deeply emotional—exactly the kind of experience we love to create.”

The idea for the game originated from fan reactions to the episode “Plaything,” which followed a lonely coder who becomes emotionally entangled with an increasingly self-aware digital companion. The episode, which aired in February 2025, quickly became one of the most discussed entries in the series, sparking debates about digital ethics and artificial sentience on social media platforms.

The game has already generated buzz across the gaming and entertainment communities, with early users describing it as “eerie,” “thought-provoking,” and “addictively bleak.” Critics have praised its innovative use of narrative gameplay and AI-powered dialogue, suggesting it may signal a new era of emotionally intelligent mobile gaming.

Thronglets also integrates with Netflix’s recommendation algorithm to adapt game content based on a user’s viewing habits, subtly tying gameplay to the viewer’s unique media footprint. For instance, players who’ve binge-watched darker episodes of Black Mirror may notice their throng exhibits more cynical behavior, while lighter viewing patterns may lead to more hopeful dialogue trees.

Though currently a standalone title, Netflix has hinted at future updates that could allow throng to interact with one another or respond to real-world events, further blurring the line between fiction and digital reality.

As the Black Mirror franchise continues to evolve, Thronglets represents a new chapter in interactive storytelling—one where the mirror doesn’t just reflect society, but watches you back.

India Expands 10 Plastic Parks With 50% Grant to Boost Polymer Sector

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India is accelerating the development of its polymer-based industrial ecosystem through the expansion of Plastic Parks, aimed at strengthening domestic plastic manufacturing, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable practices. The initiative, overseen by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, is being implemented under the New Scheme of Petrochemicals.

As part of the scheme, the government supports the creation of industrial clusters—termed Plastic Parks—by providing up to 50% of the project cost as grant-in-aid, with a maximum cap of ₹40 crore per project. These parks are designed to offer state-of-the-art infrastructure and shared facilities to consolidate the capacities of the downstream plastic processing industry.

So far, 10 Plastic Parks have been approved across various states including Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh. Parks in Gorakhpur (UP) and Ganjimutt (Karnataka) were the latest to be greenlit in 2022. These hubs are not only intended to drive production and exports but also play a significant role in managing plastic waste through built-in recycling and waste treatment facilities.

According to government data, more than ₹258 crore has been released for Plastic Parks since 2013, with significant investment drawn to projects in states such as Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh. The parks are managed by Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) set up by state governments, who also facilitate private sector participation through incentives and awareness programs.

The move aligns with India’s growing footprint in the global plastic trade. The country ranked 12th globally in plastic exports in 2022, up from 8.2 million thousand USD in 2014 to 27 million thousand USD, according to World Bank estimates.

In tandem with industrial expansion, the government is placing a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. Plastic Parks are equipped with recycling sheds, effluent treatment plants, and hazardous waste management systems. The initiative is supported by Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and bans on specific single-use plastics.

To support innovation, the Department has also established 13 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) at leading research institutions such as IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, and CIPET Bhubaneswar. These CoEs focus on sustainable polymer research, bio-engineered materials, and advanced polymer applications.

Additionally, the Central Institute of Petrochemical Engineering and Technology (CIPET) is offering a range of training programs to equip the workforce with the skills needed in the evolving plastics sector.

With continued focus on sustainability, innovation, and global competitiveness, the Plastic Parks initiative is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s ambition to become a major global hub for polymer production and environmentally responsible plastic processing.

India’s Index of Industrial Production Records Growth of 2.9% in February 2025

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The Quick Estimates of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for February 2025 show a growth rate of 2.9%. This is a decrease from the 5.0% growth recorded in January 2025. The IIP is an important indicator of the industrial performance of the country, and these estimates are compiled based on data received from various source agencies, which collect information from factories and establishments.

In February 2025, the growth rates for the three main sectors of the economy are as follows: Mining at 1.6%, Manufacturing at 2.9%, and Electricity at 3.6%. The overall IIP stands at 151.3, which is an increase from 147.1 in February 2024. The indices for the Mining, Manufacturing, and Electricity sectors are 141.9, 148.6, and 194.0, respectively.

Within the manufacturing sector, 14 out of 23 industry groups have shown positive growth compared to February 2024. The top contributors to this growth include the “Manufacture of basic metals” with a growth of 5.8%, “Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers” at 8.9%, and “Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products” at 8.0%. Specific items within these groups, such as flat products of alloy steel, auto components, and various types of cement, have significantly contributed to this growth.

According to the use-based classification, the indices for February 2025 are as follows: 152.3 for Primary Goods, 115.5 for Capital Goods, 159.9 for Intermediate Goods, and 191.3 for Infrastructure/Construction Goods. The growth rates for these categories compared to February 2024 are 2.8% for Primary Goods, 8.2% for Capital Goods, 1.5% for Intermediate Goods, 6.6% for Infrastructure/Construction Goods, 3.8% for Consumer Durables, and a decline of 2.1% for Consumer Non-Durables. The main contributors to the growth of IIP this month are Infrastructure/Construction Goods, Primary Goods, and Capital Goods.

The Quick Estimates for February 2025 have been compiled with a weighted response rate of 89%. Additionally, the indices for January 2025 have undergone the first revision, while those for November 2024 have been finalized based on updated data. The response rates for these revisions are 94% for January and 95% for November.

 

Trump’s Surprise Tariff Pause Spares China; India Welcomes Relief

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US President Donald Trump has announced a pause on the implementation of most of his reciprocal tariffs. He explained the decision by saying that people were “getting yippy and a little bit afraid.”

The pause lowers tariffs to 10 per cent and applies to imports from all trading partner countries that have not imposed retaliatory levies on American goods. This includes over 75 countries that have opted to negotiate with the administration, such as India, which is currently in talks with the US over a Bilateral Trade Agreement.

However, China stands out as a major exception to this sudden shift. In response to China’s retaliatory levy of 84 per cent on American goods, Trump has increased tariffs on Chinese imports to a staggering 125 per cent. The announcement, made via a post on Truth Social, rattled already-volatile markets. Yet, in a dramatic turnaround, markets surged shortly afterward, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq soaring to a two-decade high.

Trump’s decision to halt most tariffs reportedly caught even his own officials off guard. When asked about the abrupt policy reversal, Trump repeated that people were getting “yippie and a little bit afraid,” adding, “You have to be flexible,” when pressed further.

Trump’s Tariff Reversal and Market Reactions

Despite early declarations from top aides that the levies were non-negotiable, Trump had signaled a willingness to negotiate when first introducing the tariffs. He moved ahead with the pause on Wednesday morning.

Since the reciprocal tariffs went into effect, US markets have been in turmoil. Calls for a 90-day pause have come from key Wall Street voices, including Bill Ackman. Trump has also encountered pushback from key advisor Elon Musk, who criticized the tariffs and engaged in a public spat with Peter Navarro, one of the President’s main trade advisors.

Following the announcement, Asian markets rebounded significantly. Japan’s Nikkei share average surged as investors scooped up battered stocks, echoing gains on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 jumped 9.5%—its biggest daily gain since 2008. Analysts at Morgan Stanley described Trump’s move as bullish for Asian equities, and especially so for Japanese stocks.

EU, China in Talks

Meanwhile, the European Union has called for restraint. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of avoiding further escalation in a phone call with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. In response, China expressed confidence in its ability to weather the economic pressure.

In India, markets unsettled by recent tariff news may find relief in the pause. The decision also gives New Delhi a window to finalize its deal with the US and prepare for any future tariff actions. India has not retaliated against Trump’s 26 per cent levy and has remained engaged in negotiations, as have nearly 70 other nations.

The tariff pause has also prompted Goldman Sachs Group economists to retract a recent recession forecast. Initially projecting a 65% chance of a recession within 12 months due to the tariffs, they have since reverted to their earlier baseline prediction of no recession following Trump’s announcement.

After tariffs, what’s Trump’s next Move? Watch out US dollar weakening

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As the dust begins to settle down on President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs, speculation is growing over his next move. With the dollar as the world’s reserve currency, Trump has powerful tools to pressure allies—credit access, dollar funding, and payment systems, which may be wielded as powerful weapons to subject compliance from foes and allies together.

Deploying these weapons would carry major risks for the U.S. economy and could backfire, but some experts warn they remain on the table if tariffs fail to cut the trade deficit. A weakening US dollar can have wide-ranging effects across global markets, businesses, and consumers. When the dollar loses value against other currencies, imported goods become more expensive for American consumers, increasing the cost of electronics, automobiles, and household products. Inflationary pressures may also rise as businesses pass on higher costs, eroding purchasing power.

On the other hand, a weaker dollar benefits US exporters by making American goods and services more affordable for foreign buyers. This can boost demand for US-made products, potentially leading to increased revenues for companies with international markets. Sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism often see gains as foreign customers find US goods and destinations more cost-effective.

“I could well imagine Trump getting frustrated and trying to implement wacky ideas, even if the logic isn’t there,” Barry Eichengreen, economics professor at UC Berkeley, told Reuters.

The administration’s apparent goal is to weaken the dollar to rebalance trade, potentially through a Mar-a-Lago Accord—a nod to the 1985 Plaza Accord and Trump’s Florida resort.

Stephen Miran, a Trump adviser, has suggested the U.S. could pressure foreign central banks to strengthen their currencies by leveraging tariffs and security commitments. But analysts say such a deal is unlikely, as higher interest rates would risk recession in Europe and Japan, and China needs a weaker yuan to revive growth.

If currency talks fail, Trump could take more extreme measures, such as restricting foreign access to dollar liquidity. Cutting off Federal Reserve swap lines—vital for global banks in times of crisis—could roil financial markets and hit European, Japanese, and British lenders hardest. Investors and financial markets also react to a weakening dollar in various ways.

US-based investors with holdings in foreign assets may see gains as those investments appreciate in dollar terms. Conversely, foreign investors holding US assets could experience lower returns if the dollar depreciates. The currency’s decline may also impact the bond market, as investors demand higher yields on US Treasury securities to compensate for currency risk.

Though the Fed controls these programs, Trump’s reshuffling of key financial regulators has raised concerns. “It’s no longer unthinkable that this could be used as a nuclear threat in negotiations,” said Spyros Andreopoulos of Thin Ice Macroeconomics.

But such a move could ultimately weaken the dollar’s status as the world’s dominant currency.

Commodity prices often respond significantly to dollar fluctuations. Since key commodities such as oil and gold are priced in US dollars, a weaker dollar generally pushes their prices higher. This can lead to increased costs for businesses that rely on raw materials, further fueling inflationary trends. On the flip side, commodity-producing countries may benefit from stronger revenues as the prices of their exports rise.

Another pressure point is the U.S. payments industry. Visa (V.N) and Mastercard (MA.N) process two-thirds of card transactions in the eurozone. While China and Japan have developed alternatives, Europe remains reliant on U.S. payment networks.

If the White House pressured these firms to cut off services—similar to actions taken against Russia—European consumers would be forced to rely on cash or slow bank transfers. “A hostile U.S. is a huge setback,” said Maria Demertzis of the Conference Board think tank. International trade dynamics can shift as countries reassess their economic strategies in response to currency fluctuations.

Ultimately, a weaker dollar carries both advantages and disadvantages depending on one’s perspective. While US manufacturers and exporters may enjoy competitive benefits, consumers and businesses reliant on imports could face higher costs. Investors must navigate currency risks carefully, and policymakers must balance economic growth with inflation control. The dollar’s movements influence economies worldwide, making its strength or weakness a critical factor in global financial stability.

Weakening Dollar

A weakening US dollar can have wide-ranging effects across global markets, businesses, and consumers. When the dollar loses value against other currencies, imported goods become more expensive for American consumers. Precisely because it takes more dollars to buy the same amount of foreign currency, raising the cost of imported electronics, automobiles, and everyday household products. Inflationary pressures may also increase as businesses pass higher costs on to consumers, reducing purchasing power.

On the other hand, a weaker dollar benefits US exporters by making American goods and services more affordable for foreign buyers. This can boost demand for US-made products, potentially leading to increased revenues for companies with international markets. Sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism often see gains as foreign customers find US goods and destinations more cost-effective.

Investors and financial markets also react to a weakening dollar in various ways. US-based investors with holdings in foreign assets may see gains as those investments appreciate in dollar terms. Conversely, foreign investors holding US assets could experience lower returns if the dollar depreciates. The currency’s decline may also impact the bond market, as investors demand higher yields on US Treasury securities to compensate for currency risk.

Commodity prices often respond significantly to dollar fluctuations. Since key commodities such as oil and gold are priced in US dollars, a weaker dollar generally pushes their prices higher. This can lead to increased costs for businesses that rely on raw materials, further fueling inflationary trends. On the flip side, commodity-producing countries may benefit from stronger revenues as the prices of their exports rise.

Government policies may force the Federal Reserve respond by adjusting interest rates to stabilize the currency and control inflation. Meanwhile, other central banks might intervene in currency markets to prevent excessive volatility. International trade dynamics can shift as countries reassess their economic strategies in response to currency fluctuations.

 

What US Copyright Office Says on AI-Generated Work and Copyrights Issue

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The U.S. Copyright Office has released Part 2 of its Report on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, addressing the copyrightability of AI-generated works and reaffirming that human authorship remains essential for copyright protection in the United States. The report, a continuation of the Office’s AI initiative launched in early 2023, clarifies the level of human involvement required for AI-assisted works to qualify for copyright and examines how other countries approach similar issues.

The Office emphasizes that copyright law in the U.S. requires human authorship, citing the Copyright Clause in the Constitution and various legal precedents. Courts have consistently ruled that non-human entities cannot hold copyrights, a position the Office upholds. The Supreme Court has previously stated that an “author” is the person who translates an idea into a fixed, tangible expression entitled to copyright protection. Based on this principle, the Office asserts that AI-generated works alone cannot receive copyright protection, but works with sufficient human creativity may qualify.

 

The report outlines three scenarios in which AI-generated works may be eligible for copyright protection. First, AI tools used as an assistive mechanism, where the final creative expression is fundamentally human-authored, should not affect copyright eligibility. Second, when human-authored content is input into an AI system and remains perceptible in the output, copyright protection extends only to the human-created elements. Third, when AI-generated material is arranged or modified in a sufficiently creative way by a human, that specific human-authored contribution can be protected.

However, the Office firmly concludes that prompts alone do not constitute authorship, as AI systems produce unpredictable variations even when given identical inputs. The report notes that AI functions as a “black box,” with users and developers often unable to predict the exact outputs. As such, merely crafting a prompt is not enough to warrant copyright protection for the resulting AI-generated work.

The report also compares global approaches to AI-generated copyright. The European Union allows copyright protection only if significant human input is involved. The United Kingdom, under a pre-existing statute, grants copyright to computer-generated works where no human author exists, though this is currently under review. Japan evaluates copyright eligibility based on factors like user input, the number of generation attempts, and post-processing edits. China, in contrast, grants copyright to the individual using AI to create a work.

No new Acts Required

Despite calls for new protections for AI-generated materials, the Office does not see the need for legislative changes. It argues that existing U.S. copyright laws are flexible enough to accommodate AI advancements while ensuring human creativity remains protected. The report expresses concern that excessive legal protections for AI-generated works could diminish incentives for human authors, potentially stifling creative output.

Legal professionals are advised to consider the Office’s stance when assessing AI-related copyright matters. The key takeaways include the necessity of human authorship for copyright protection, the case-by-case evaluation of AI-assisted works, and the exclusion of AI prompts as a basis for copyright claims. Additionally, while AI-assisted creations may be protected under specific conditions, new legal frameworks are not currently needed.

The Copyright Office will continue to monitor technological and legal developments in AI and copyright law. The upcoming Part 3 of the report will address legal concerns related to training AI models on copyrighted works, licensing considerations, and the allocation of liability in AI-generated content.

ChatGPT’s Paid-subscribers surge to 2 crore, company valuation reaches $300 billion

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OpenAI’s ChatGPT has seen a sharp rise in its paid subscriber base, climbing to over 20 million from 15.5 million in the past quarter, according to a report by The Information. The 30% increase in users has propelled an estimated monthly revenue boost from $333 million to $415 million.

The surge comes on the heels of OpenAI’s record-breaking $40 billion funding round, led by SoftBank, which pushed the company’s valuation to $300 billion. OpenAI also disclosed that more than 500 million people now use ChatGPT on a weekly basis.

The AI company is projecting substantial revenue growth, expecting to more than triple its earnings from $3.7 billion in 2024 to $12.7 billion in 2025. Bloomberg previously reported that OpenAI anticipates generating $29.4 billion in 2026.

Growing Demand and Operational Challenges

The rising number of paid subscribers highlights ChatGPT’s increasing popularity across various user bases. However, OpenAI continues to face high operational costs, including expenses related to AI chips, data centers, and talent acquisition.

Adding to its feature set, OpenAI on Tuesday introduced GPT-4o’s native image generation, allowing users to upload and edit images. The tool, which will soon be available across all ChatGPT tiers, has gained traction online. A recent viral trend saw users leveraging ChatGPT to create images in the style of Japan’s Studio Ghibli, further boosting engagement with the platform.

As demand for image generation soared, CEO Sam Altman implemented a rate limit, citing strain on OpenAI’s computing infrastructure. “Our GPUs are melting,” Altman remarked, referencing the surge in image-related prompts.

Subscription Plans and Features

ChatGPT currently offers two subscription tiers: Free and Pro. The Free tier provides access to GPT-3.5 with basic conversational features, while the Pro plan, priced at $20 per month, unlocks GPT-4 with enhanced capabilities such as improved reasoning, faster response times, and multimodal tools for text and image generation.

Pro users also benefit from higher usage limits, priority access during peak periods, and the ability to customize AI models to suit their needs.

Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 Introduced in LS, Sparks Heated Debate

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The Lok Sabha witnessed intense discussions on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, as Law Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the legislation. The bill aims to streamline the administration of Waqf properties, which are religious endowments under Islamic law.  

The debate quickly turned partisan, with the Congress party raising concerns about the potential impact of the bill on minority rights. They argued for a more thorough review and consultation process. The BJP, however, defended the bill, emphasizing its goal of bringing greater transparency and efficiency to the management of Waqf assets.  

Key points of contention included the proposed changes to the Waqf Tribunal’s powers and the mechanisms for resolving property disputes. Opposition members expressed worries about potential misuse of authority, while the government asserted the need for stronger oversight to prevent encroachments and mismanagement.

The Waqf Amendment Bill has generated significant debate, with varied perspectives on its potential impact. Here’s a breakdown of the pro and against points:

Arguments in Favor:

  • Improved Management and Transparency:
    • Proponents argue that the amendments aim to streamline the administration of Waqf properties, bringing greater transparency and efficiency to their management.
    • The emphasis on digitalization and centralized record-keeping is intended to reduce mismanagement and corruption.
  • Protection of Waqf Properties:
    • The government asserts that the bill seeks to protect Waqf properties from encroachment and illegal occupation, ensuring they are used for their intended charitable or religious purposes.
    • Strengthening the Waqf Tribunal’s powers is seen as necessary to resolve property disputes effectively.
  • Modernization and Efficiency:
    • The amendments are presented as a means to modernize the Waqf administration, making it more accountable and responsive to the needs of the community.
    • The inclusion of non-muslim members in the board, is argued by the government to bring expertise, and promote transparency.
  • Reducing Litigation:
    • The application of the limitation act, is argued to reduce prolonged litigation.

Arguments Against:

  • Concerns About Minority Rights:
    • Critics express concerns that the bill could infringe on the rights of minority communities to manage their religious endowments.
    • There are fears that the government could use the amendments to exert greater control over Waqf properties.
  • Potential for Misuse of Power:
    • Opposition members raise concerns about the potential for misuse of power by the Waqf Tribunal and other authorities.
    • They argue that the bill could lead to arbitrary decisions and unfair treatment of Waqf institutions.
  • Lack of Adequate Consultation:
    • Some critics argue that the government has not engaged in sufficient consultation with stakeholders, particularly minority communities.
    • They call for a more thorough review of the bill and greater transparency in the legislative process.
  • Constitutional Validity:
    • Some critics have questioned the constitutional validity of the bill, arguing that it may violate the principle of religious freedom.
  • Interference with Religious Affairs:
    • The inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf boards has been criticized as interference in the Muslim community’s right to manage its own affairs.

However, minister Kiren Rijiju stressed that the amendments are intended to protect Waqf properties and ensure their proper utilization for the benefit of the community. He reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders.

The Lok Sabha is expected to continue discussions on the bill in the coming days, with further amendments and clarifications likely.

NASA’s Curiosity rover unearths largest organic molecules ever detected on Mars

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In a stunning new development, NASA scientists have confirmed that the Curiosity rover has discovered the largest organic molecules ever found on the Martian surface. The groundbreaking analysis of an existing rock sample, “Cumberland,” within Curiosity’s onboard lab revealed the presence of decane, undecane, and dodecane – compounds with 10, 11, and 12 carbon atoms respectively.

These molecules are believed to be fragments of preserved fatty acids, key building blocks of life as we know it on Earth. While non-biological origins are possible, the size of these newly detected molecules significantly boosts the potential for the preservation of complex biosignatures on the red planet.

This discovery builds upon years of tantalizing findings by Curiosity, including the detection of smaller organic molecules, organic salts, and the measurement of total organic carbon comparable to Earth’s most extreme environments. The new data suggests that larger, more complex organic compounds could have survived for billions of years despite harsh Martian conditions.

The network of cracks in this Martian rock slab called “Old Soaker” may have formed from the drying of a mud layer more than 3 billion years ago. The view spans about 3 feet (90 centimeters) left-to-right and combines three images taken by the MAHLI camera on the arm of NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover.
Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Lead author Caroline Freissinet emphasized the significance, stating, “Our study proves that, even today, by analyzing Mars samples, we could detect chemical signatures of past life—if it ever existed on Mars.”

Scientists are particularly intrigued by the carbon chain length of the presumed fatty acids (11-13 carbons), as non-biological processes typically yield shorter chains. This raises the exciting possibility of longer-chain fatty acids, often associated with biological activity, being present.

While the exact origin of these molecules remains under investigation, this major breakthrough reinforces the critical need for Mars Sample Return missions to conduct in-depth analysis with advanced Earth-based instruments.

“We are ready to take the next big step and bring Mars samples home to our labs to settle the debate about life on Mars,” declared Dr. Daniel Glavin.

This latest discovery marks a significant leap in our understanding of Martian organic chemistry and further fuels the compelling narrative that Mars may have once harbored the conditions necessary for life. The search for evidence of past life on the red planet has just intensified.

Chhaava Vs Sikandar: Bollywood Films Set New Records in 2025 Box-Office Collections

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​In 2025, Bollywood witnessed the release of two major films—”Chhaava” and “Sikandar”—each offering unique narratives and showcasing significant performances. With a high-profile cast including Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, and Ashutosh Rana, Chhaava has set the benchmark for all upcoming Bollywood films and overwhelming the past records by several blockbusters.​

Chhaava, produced with a substantial budget of approximately ₹200 crore, stands as a grand historical spectacle, showcasing elaborate production design and intricate period settings. Right from its release, the film made a significant impact at the box office, earning ₹31 crore on its opening day. Over four weeks, it amassed a net collection of ₹525.7 crore in India, reinforcing its dominance in the domestic market. On the global stage, Chhaava achieved a remarkable ₹691 crore in worldwide earnings, surpassing the lifetime collection of Sunny Deol’s Gadar 2, which stood at ₹686 crore.

When compared with previous Bollywood blockbusters, Chhaava finds itself in esteemed company. Salman Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), made on a budget of ₹90 crore, grossed ₹969 crore worldwide, while Aamir Khan’s Dangal (2016), produced with ₹70 crore, achieved an extraordinary ₹2,024 crore globally.

In the historical drama genre, Padmaavat (2018), which had a budget of ₹215 crore, collected ₹585 crore worldwide. Meanwhile, the big-budget fantasy film Brahmastra (2022), made with ₹410 crore, managed to garner ₹430 crore at the global box office. With its impressive financial success, Chhaava has secured its place among the highest-grossing Bollywood films, further solidifying Bollywood’s ability to deliver large-scale, commercially successful epics.

Sikandar

Sikandar, produced with a budget of ₹180 crore (excluding Salman Khan’s remuneration), was backed by an additional ₹20 crore allocated for promotions and advertising. Even before its theatrical release, the film secured impressive non-theatrical revenue, mitigating financial risks. The OTT rights were sold to Netflix for ₹85 crore, with a clause that could increase the deal to ₹100 crore if the box office collection crosses ₹350 crore. Additionally, the satellite rights were acquired by Zee for ₹50 crore, while Zee Music Company secured the music rights for ₹30 crore. With a total potential non-theatrical revenue of ₹180 crore, the film had already recovered a significant portion of its production cost.

Released on March 30, 2025, Sikandar received positive initial reviews, and its box office figures were highly anticipated. Comparisons with previous Bollywood action blockbusters highlight its financial standing in the industry. Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), made on a ₹210 crore budget, amassed ₹565 crore worldwide, while War (2019), with a budget of ₹170 crore, collected ₹475 crore globally. Salman Khan’s Sultan (2016), produced for ₹145 crore, outperformed both with a staggering ₹623 crore worldwide. By securing major non-theatrical deals ahead of time, Sikandar showcased a strategic financial approach, ensuring stability regardless of its box office trajectory.

Both “Chhaava” and “Sikandar” have made notable contributions to Bollywood’s 2025 cinematic landscape. “Chhaava” has achieved remarkable box office success, while “Sikandar” has leveraged non-theatrical avenues to mitigate financial risks. These strategies reflect the evolving dynamics of Bollywood’s film production and distribution in a competitive market.

Fluorescent caves could explain how life can persist in other planets

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A section of South Dakota’s Wind Cave seen under normal white light (left image) transforms into something otherworldly when placed under UV light (right image) / Credit: Joshua Sebree

Deep below Earth’s surface, rock and mineral formations lay hidden with a secret brilliance. Under a black light, the chemicals fossilized within shine in brilliant hues of pink, blue and green. Scientists are using these fluorescent features to understand how the caves formed and how life is supported in extreme environments, which may reveal how life could persist in faraway places, like Jupiter’s icy moon Europa.

The researchers will present their results at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) ACS Spring 2025 being held March 23-27, 2025.

As it turns out, the chemistry in South Dakota’s Wind Cave is likely similar to places like Europa — and easier to reach. This is why astrobiologist Joshua Sebree, a professor at the University of Northern Iowa, ended up hundreds of feet underground investigating the minerals and lifeforms in these dark, cold conditions.

“The purpose of this project as a whole is to try to better understand the chemistry taking place underground that’s telling us about how life can be supported,” he explains.

As Sebree and his students began to venture into new areas of Wind Cave and other caves across the U.S., they mapped the rock formations, passages, streams and organisms they found. As they explored, they brought along their black lights (UV lights), too, to look at the minerals in the rocks.

Under the black light, certain areas of the caves seemed to transform into something otherworldly as portions of the surrounding rocks shone in different hues. Thanks to impurities lodged within the Earth millions of years ago — chemistry fossils, almost — the hues corresponded with different concentrations and types of organic or inorganic compounds. These shining stones often indicated where water once carried minerals down from the surface.

“The walls just looked completely blank and devoid of anything interesting,” says Sebree. “But then, when we turned on the black lights, what used to be just a plain brown wall turned into a bright layer of fluorescent mineral that indicated where a pool of water used to be 10,000 or 20,000 years ago.”

Typically, to understand the chemical makeup of a cave feature, a rock sample is removed and taken back to the lab. But Sebree and his team collect the fluorescence spectra — which is like a fingerprint of the chemical makeup — of different surfaces using a portable spectrometer while on their expeditions. That way, they can take the information with them but leave the cave behind and intact.

Anna Van Der Weide, an undergraduate student at the university, has accompanied Sebree on some of these explorations. Using the information collected during that fieldwork, she is building a publicly accessible inventory of fluorescence fingerprints to help provide an additional layer of information to the traditional cave map and paint a more complete picture of its history and formation.

Additional undergraduate students have contributed to the study. Jacqueline Heggen is further exploring these caves as a simulated environment for astrobiological extremophiles; Jordan Holloway is developing an autonomous spectrometer to make measurement easier and even possible for future extraterrestrial missions; and Celia Langemo is studying biometrics to keep explorers of extreme environments safe. These three students are also presenting their findings at ACS Spring 2025.

Doing science in a cave is not without its challenges. For example, in the 48-degrees Fahrenheit (9-degrees Celsius) temperature of Minnesota’s Mystery Cave, the team had to bury the spectrometer’s batteries in handwarmers to keep them from dying. Other times, to reach an area of interest, the scientists had to squeeze through spaces less than a foot (30 centimeters) wide for hundreds of feet, sometimes losing a shoe (or pants) in the process. Or, they’d have to stand knee-deep in freezing cave water to take a measurement, and hope that their instruments didn’t go for an accidental swim.

But despite these hurdles, the caves have revealed a wealth of information already. In Wind Cave, the team found that manganese-rich waters had carved out the cave and produced the striped zebra calcites within, which glowed pink under black light. The calcites grew underground, fed by the manganese-rich water. Sebree believes that when these rocks shattered, since calcite is weaker than the limestone also comprising the cave, the calcite worked to expand the cave too. “It’s a very different cave forming mechanism than has previously been looked at before,” he says.

And the unique research conditions have provided a memorable experience to Van Der Weide. “It was really cool to see how you can apply science out in the field and to learn how you function in those environments,” she concludes.

In the future, Sebree hopes to further confirm the accuracy of the fluorescence technique by comparing it to traditional, destructive techniques. He also wants to investigate the cave water that also fluoresces to understand how life on Earth’s surface has affected life deep underground and, reconnecting to his astrobiological roots, understand how similar, mineral-rich water may support life in the far reaches of our solar system.