Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani held talks with Airbus to strengthen European collaboration in the satellite industry. Discussions with Airbus and Thales aim to create alliances to better compete globally with major players like the US and China. Cingolani emphasised the need for robust European partnerships to address increasing global competition in this sector.
Leonardo already has strong ties with Thales, sharing two joint ventures: Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio, which specialise in satellite manufacturing and services. Airbus and Thales Alenia Space are recognised as Europe’s leading producers of satellites for various applications, including telecommunications, navigation, and surveillance.
Meanwhile, Italy is considering Elon Musk’s Starlink system to meet immediate satellite needs for secure government communications. Opposition parties have criticised this potential reliance on Musk’s technology, though Cingolani stressed that Leonardo could ensure the protection of transmitted data, aligning with government priorities for security.
Google Maps will rename the Gulf of Mexico as the ‘Gulf of America’ for users in the United States, reflecting an official update to the US Geographic Names System. However, users in Mexico will continue to see the original name, while others worldwide will view both names side by side. Alphabet’s Google confirmed the change on social media, highlighting its standard practice of adapting location labels based on recent regional naming disputes.
The name change stems from an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump hours after taking office on 20 January, as part of his pledge to prioritise nationalist symbolism. Alongside this decision, Trump restored the name of North America’s highest peak, Denali, to its previous designation of Mount McKinley. These actions have reignited debates about historical and cultural naming conventions.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded light-heartedly, suggesting that North America could be renamed ‘Mexican America’ in reference to an old regional map. Google, which has navigated other geopolitical naming controversies, cited its consistent approach, such as labelling disputed waters as ‘Sea of Japan (East Sea)’, ‘Israel (Palestine)’, or ‘Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf)’ in different regions.
The renaming has sparked mixed reactions, with critics accusing it of unnecessary politicisation and cultural erasure. Google’s application of the changes reflects its policy of balancing local preferences and global clarity in its mapping platform.
Researchers at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands have developed a cutting-edge electric bicycle designed to improve cycling safety. Equipped with laser sensors and LiDAR technology, the ‘Delft SenseBike’ collects detailed data on moving and stationary objects, including cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles. This data aims to create a three-dimensional map of road users’ behaviour to prevent accidents.
The project addresses a significant gap in data about cycling safety, even in a country with 22 million bicycles and 37,000 kilometres of cycle paths. Holger Caesar, one of the researchers, emphasised that the technology could one day alert drivers to unpredictable cyclist movements or even contribute to the design of self-stabilising bikes.
With cycling accidents leading to 270 deaths in the Netherlands in 2023, almost half involving collisions with vehicles, researchers hope this technology will save lives. While the team does not plan to create autonomous bicycles, their work highlights the potential of technology to make roads safer for all users without diminishing the joy of cycling.
The European Commission has invited major social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and X, to participate in a “stress test” on 31 January to assess their efforts in combating disinformation ahead of Germany‘s election next month. The test is part of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires companies to implement measures mitigating risks on their platforms. Similar tests were successfully conducted for the European Parliament elections last year.
EU spokesperson Thomas Regnier explained that the exercise would involve various scenarios to evaluate how platforms respond to potential challenges under the DSA. Senior compliance officers and specialists from companies such as Microsoft, LinkedIn, Google, Snap, and Meta have been invited to collaborate with German authorities in the closed-door session.
TikTok has confirmed its participation, while other platforms have yet to comment. The initiative underscores the European Union‘s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability from tech giants in safeguarding democratic processes during elections.
Google secured an injunction from London’s High Court on Wednesday, preventing the enforcement of Russian legal judgments against the company. The rulings related to lawsuits filed by Russian entities, including Tsargrad TV and RT, over the closure of Google and YouTube accounts. Judge Andrew Henshaw granted the permanent injunction, citing Google’s terms and conditions, which require disputes to be resolved in English courts.
The Russian judgments included severe ‘astreinte penalties,’ which increased daily and amounted to astronomical sums. Google’s lawyers argued that some fines levied on its Russian subsidiary reached numbers as large as an undecillion roubles—a figure with 36 zeroes. Judge Henshaw highlighted that the fines far exceeded the global GDP, supporting the court’s decision to block their enforcement.
A Google spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the ruling, criticising Russia’s legal actions as efforts to restrict information access and penalise compliance with international sanctions. Since 2022, Google has taken measures such as blocking over 1,000 YouTube channels, including state-sponsored news outlets, and suspending monetisation of content promoting Russia‘s actions in Ukraine.
The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, has embraced cutting-edge technology to better manage the world’s largest gathering of humanity. Facial recognition software, AI, and advanced crowd-monitoring systems ensure a safer and more organised festival for the expected 400 million visitors. Sarita Singh’s experience highlights the impact of these advancements. Separated from her son and mother-in-law, she was reunited with them within hours thanks to facial recognition software linked to over 2,700 CCTV cameras.
Authorities use AI-powered tools to count crowds, detect surges, and prevent stampedes at the sprawling 4,000-hectare site. Nearly 93 million visitors were recorded in the festival’s first nine days alone. The AI systems also monitor for fire hazards and trespassing, providing real-time alerts to on-ground personnel. Underwater drones add another layer of safety, sending alerts if accidents occur during the ritual dips in the holy rivers. Multilingual chatbots on the official Kumbh app further assist visitors from diverse regions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised technology integration, describing the event as a ‘union of data and technology.’ The digital tools being deployed reflect the changing era of the Maha Kumbh, which not only honours ancient traditions but also embraces modern innovations to enhance the experience for millions of devotees.
Google is rolling out a unique accessibility feature for Chromebooks that allows users to control their devices using head and facial movements. Initially introduced in December, this tool is designed for people with motor impairments and uses AI to let facial gestures act as a virtual cursor. The feature is available on Chromebooks with 8GB of RAM or more and builds on Google’s prior efforts, such as its Project Gameface accessibility tool for Windows and Android.
In addition to accessibility, Google is unveiling over 20 new Chromebook models this year, including the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1, to complement its existing lines. The devices target educators, students, and general users seeking enhanced performance and versatility.
Google has also introduced ‘Class Tools’ for ChromeOS, which offer teachers real-time screen-sharing capabilities. These tools allow educators to share content directly with students, monitor their progress, and activate live captions or translations during lessons. Integration with Figma’s FigJam now brings interactive whiteboard assignments to Google Classroom, promoting collaboration and creative group work. Together, these updates aim to enhance accessibility and productivity in education.
UK citizens will soon be able to carry essential documents, such as their passport, driving licence, and birth certificates, in a digital wallet on their smartphones. This plan was unveiled by Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, as part of a broader initiative to streamline interactions with government services. The digital wallet, set to launch in June, aims to simplify tasks like booking appointments and managing government communications.
Initially, the digital wallet will hold a driving licence and a veteran card, with plans to add other documents like student loans, vehicle tax, and benefits. The government is also working with the Home Office to include digital passports, although these will still exist alongside physical versions. The app will be linked to an individual’s ID and could be used for various tasks, such as sharing certification or claiming welfare discounts.
Security and privacy concerns have been addressed, with recovery systems in place for lost phones and strong data protection measures. Kyle emphasised that the app complies with current data laws and features like facial recognition would enhance security. He also reassured that while the system will be convenient for smartphone users, efforts will be made to ensure those without internet access aren’t left behind.
The technology, developed in the six months since Labour took power, is part of a push to modernise government services. Kyle believes the new digital approach will help create a more efficient and user-friendly relationship between citizens and the state, transforming the public service experience.
TikTok users in the United States remain in limbo as the popular app continues to be unavailable for download from Apple and Google app stores. The platform, owned by China’s ByteDance, resumed service following a temporary shutdown, but legal uncertainties have prevented its return to digital storefronts.
The impasse stems from a US law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a nationwide ban due to national security concerns. President Trump recently extended the enforcement deadline, sparking debates about potential buyers, including high-profile figures like Elon Musk. However, no clear resolution has emerged, leaving users and tech giants caught in legal purgatory.
Some frustrated fans have resorted to selling devices with TikTok pre-installed for exorbitant prices on platforms like eBay. Others are attempting workarounds, such as location changes or VPNs, to regain access. Despite these efforts, confusion about TikTok’s long-term future has prompted some users to abandon the app entirely, citing dissatisfaction with political interference.
As negotiations continue, TikTok’s status in the US remains precarious, with both users and the company waiting anxiously for clarity on its fate.
Instagram has been facing backlash after a technical issue caused search results for the terms ‘Democrat’ and ‘Democrats’ to be hidden. Users searching for these terms have encountered a message stating that the results may contain sensitive content. In contrast, hashtags such as ‘Republican’ continue to display posts without such issues. Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has stated that the problem is not politically motivated, as it has also affected other political hashtags.
Social media experts have warned that the glitch could harm Meta’s reputation, particularly in a highly partisan political climate. Matt Navarra, a social media consultant, described the situation as embarrassing for Instagram, suggesting it could fuel conspiracy theories and further divisions among users. Meta has confirmed it is working urgently to fix the issue.
This incident comes at a time of increased scrutiny over Meta’s handling of political content on its platforms. The company has faced criticism from various sides of the political spectrum, and its recent changes to content moderation policies have attracted further attention.
