SpaceX Seeks to Launch One Million Satellites; UK's Top Taxpayers Revealed; International Developments Unfold
Elon Musk's SpaceX has applied to launch one million satellites into Earth's orbit to power artificial intelligence (AI), according to a recent application. This development comes as the UK's top taxpayers are revealed, including Harry Styles and Anthony Joshua, and international developments unfold in Iran and Venezuela.
SpaceX claims that these "orbital data centers" are the most cost and energy-efficient way to meet the growing demand for AI computing power. The company argues that the processing needs driven by the expanding use of AI are already outpacing "terrestrial capabilities," according to BBC Technology. The addition of one million satellites would drastically increase the size of SpaceX's existing Starlink network, which currently has nearly 10,000 satellites in orbit.
In other news, the Sunday Times Tax List revealed the UK's top taxpayers, with Fred and Peter Done, founders of Betfred, leading the list after paying an estimated £400.1 million in tax over the past year. Harry Styles, Anthony Joshua, and JK Rowling also appear on the list, according to BBC Business. Erling Haaland, 25, of Manchester City, is the youngest person on the list, with a projected £16.9 million tax payment.
Internationally, Iranian protester Erfan Soltani, who was reportedly sentenced to death in connection with anti-government protests last month, has been released on bail, reports say. Soltani was arrested on January 8 in Fardis, west of Tehran, during widespread protests, according to BBC World. While Norway-based Kurdish human rights group Hengaw reported that Soltani was scheduled to be executed within days, Iran's judiciary denied that he was sentenced to death, stating that he faced security-related charges.
Meanwhile, in Venezuela, human rights activist Javier Tarazona has been freed, marking the latest prisoner release announced by the government amid US pressure for reforms, according to BBC World. Tarazona, head of the human rights NGO Fundaredes, was arrested in July 2021 and detained in El Helicoide prison in Caracas. Foro Penal, another Venezuelan rights group, stated that it had verified the liberation of more than 300 political prisoners since January 8. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced on Friday that the government would introduce an amnesty law.
Separately, documents released by the US Department of Justice suggest that Jeffrey Epstein made £75,000 ($55,000) in payments to accounts connected to Lord Mandelson between 2003 and 2004, according to BBC World. The payments appear as part of millions of documents released on Friday relating to the late sex offender Epstein. Lord Mandelson stated that he had no record or recollection of receiving the sums and did not know whether the documents were authentic. He reiterated his regret for "ever having known Epstein."
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