World Leaders and Tech Innovators Make Headlines
Several significant developments emerged on the global stage, ranging from diplomatic efforts to technological advancements in brain-computer interfaces and energy production.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, marking the first visit by a British leader to China in nearly a decade, according to Euronews. The meeting aimed to improve relations between the two countries, which have been strained by disagreements over Hong Kong, espionage allegations, and China's support for Russia's war in Ukraine. Starmer thanked Xi for hosting his delegation at the Great Hall of the People, where the two countries sought business deals and a "strategic partnership" to reset ties strained by decades of tensions.
Meanwhile, in the tech sector, SpaceX issued a new set of demands to US state governments regarding broadband grants for Starlink, Ars Technica reported. SpaceX stated it would provide all necessary equipment to receive broadband at no cost to subscribers requesting service, eliminating the up-front hardware fee. The company pledged to make broadband available for $80 or less a month, plus taxes and fees, to people with low incomes in subsidized areas.
China's brain-computer interface industry is also experiencing rapid growth. Wired reported that a new company, Gestala, founded in Chengdu with offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong, plans to use ultrasound technology to stimulate and eventually read from the brain without invasive implants. According to CEO and cofounder Phoenix Peng, Gestala is the second company to launch in recent weeks with the aim of tapping into the brain with ultrasound.
The increasing demand for energy to power AI data centers is driving investment in next-generation nuclear power plants, according to MIT Technology Review. These plants could be cheaper to construct and safer to operate than their predecessors.
Amidst global tensions, NPR reported on the efforts of an Israeli and a Palestinian who are dedicating themselves to peaceful coexistence in the aftermath of the devastating war in Gaza. The two friends believe peace is possible after war.
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