News & Updates
The latest news and updates from companies in the WLTH portfolio.
Europe just unveiled a reusable rocket concept that could challenge SpaceX's Starship
As SpaceX pushes ahead with Starship, researchers in Europe have proposed a different approach to building heavy rockets. A new study by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) presents a concept called RLV C5, a partially reusable launch vehicle that could give Europe its own super-heavy launch capability without following Starship's design.The study says Starship has already changed how the space industry thinks about heavy rocket launches. In 2023, the rocket successfully lifted off from Texas using all 33 of its engines. Later, during its fifth integrated flight test, the Super Heavy booster returned after launch and was caught by the giant mechanical arms of the launch tower, showing how reusable rocket technology is advancing.SpaceX is now developing Starship to carry more than 100 metric tonnes to low Earth orbit, the region of space closest to Earth where most satellites operate. The company also plans to make the entire rocket fully reusable so it can fly again after each mission.The DLR researchers said that instead of simply accepting SpaceX's published figures, they independently analysed videos from Starship's first four integrated flight tests. They extracted flight data and used it to build computer models to estimate the rocket's real performance.After analysing Starship, the researchers presented the RLV C5 as a possible European alternative. Rather than building a fully reusable rocket like Starship, the concept uses a partially reusable design.The RLV C5 uses a reusable winged booster from DLR's SpaceLiner project with an expendable upper stage that carries the payload into orbit. According to the study, this approach could reduce the complexity and cost of developing a fully reusable launch system.Unlike Starship, which uses methane and liquid oxygen, the RLV C5 would use liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The researchers say this fuel combination is more efficient.The booster would also return differently. Instead of landing vertically using rocket engines, it would glide back through Earth's atmosphere on wings before being captured in mid-air by a large subsonic aircraft. According to the researchers, this means the booster would not need to keep fuel aside for landing, allowing more fuel to be used for carrying payload into space. The study estimates that the current reusable version of Starship can carry around 59 tonnes to low Earth orbit. A future version with Raptor 3 engines and larger fuel tanks could carry around 115 tonnes while remaining reusable. If flown as an expendable rocket, it could carry up to 188 tonnes into orbit.The proposed RLV C5 would be capable of launching more than 70 tonnes into orbit. While it cannot match Starship's maximum payload, the researchers say it makes more efficient use of its mass.According to the study, Starship is more than three times heavier than the RLV C5 because it is designed to be fully reusable. Much of that extra weight comes from features needed for repeated flights, including heat shield tiles, landing fuel and stronger structures.The researchers estimate that around 40 per cent of Starship's mass reaching orbit is useful payload. In comparison, the RLV C5 could send around 74 per cent of its mass-to-orbit as payload because of its simpler partially reusable design.
Anthropic rolls out India specific pricing for Claude AI: Plans, prices, and other details
You can now pay for Claude in Indian rupees, here are all the details. (Representational image made with AI) For a long time, if you wanted to purchase a Claude subscription, you would need to pay in US dollars. This made it more cumbersome for users who needed to shell out forex charges, and pay GST in addition to the plan prices. But now, Anthropic has quietly rolled out India-specific pricing, allowing you to pay in Indian rupees. You can now check out Indian prices for Claude via the official website. The Claude Pro plan starts at Rs 2,000 per month. Previously, it would've cost you $20 (roughly Rs 1,630) per month - excluding additional fees and GST. The 20x tier of the Claude Max can go up to Rs 23,999 per month. The same plan in US dollars would have cost $200 (roughly Rs 19,170) per month. Also, one thing to note is that all paid Claude plans in India are inclusive of GST. This move comes as India continues to grow as a major AI market. As per reports, India is the second-largest market for Claude, after the US. This change will make it easier for users to now purchase Claude plans without having to pay extra fees. But what do you get from different Claude plans? Here are all the details. Claude Pro plan in India In India, the Claude Pro is priced at Rs 2,000 a month on an annual subscription (Rs 24,000 per year) and Rs 2,399 a month on monthly billing. Under the older USD pricing, Pro cost $20 (roughly Rs 1,920) a month on monthly billing and $17 (roughly Rs 1,630) a month on the annual plan billed as $200 (roughly Rs 19,170) upfront. Claude Pro runs Anthropic's Sonnet 5 by default and includes access to more Claude models, including Opus and the more advanced Fable 5 model. Apart from a 5x higher usage limit than the free tier, you also get Research mode, unlimited Projects, Memory, file uploads, web search, and voice mode. Claude Pro users can also use the coding platform Claude Code, as well as Claude Design, Claude in Excel and PowerPoint, and Microsoft 365 integration. Keep in mind that the Claude Free plan remains available in India, which gives access to Claude Sonnet 5 and 4.6, and Haiku 4.5. Free users also get web search, file uploads of up to 20 files per chat, limited Projects. Claude Max plan in India If you want more out of your Claude subscription, you can purchase Claude Max. Claude Max in India is available at Rs 11,999 a month for the 5x version and Rs 23,999 a month for the 20x version. In the older US dollar structure, Max 5x cost $100 (Rs 9,584) a month and Max 20x cost $200 (roughly Rs 19,170) a month. The Max tier carries the same core feature-set as Pro, but with a larger usage bucket rather than a different model tier. Users get the same models and features available in Pro, including Cowork, Claude Code, Projects, Memory and web search, but with either 5x or 20x Pro's usage limits depending on the tier. Claude Max also includes priority access during high-traffic periods, higher Claude Code session limits for longer coding runs, and first access to new features and models before they reach Pro. Claude Team plan in India For businesses, Anthropic has also brought India specific pricing for Claude Team subscriptions. The Team Standard seat is priced at Rs 2,399 a month for an annual subscription, with monthly billing at Rs 2,999 a month. A Premium seat costs Rs 11,999 a month, with monthly billing at Rs 14,999 a month. As was the case with Claude Pro and Claude Max, these prices are inclusive of GST. Previously, Team Standard was listed at $25 (roughly Rs 2,400) per seat a month, or $20 (roughly Rs 1,920) per seat a month when billed annually, while Team Premium was listed at around $150 (roughly Rs 14,380) a month for premium seats. The Team plan includes a 200K context window, usage credits available at API rates, Claude Code, and Claude Cowork. Businesses also get central billing and administration, single sign-on and domain capture, and admin controls. As default, Anthropic does not use content from Claude Team users for model training.
Lookup Thursday before sunrise for a SpaceX launch
SpaceX plans to launch a batch of Starlink satellites, designated Starlink 10-42, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Timing of the scheduled 5:05 a.m. launch could make the rocket visible along parts of the East Coast, weather permitting, as it climbs into orbit. For observers in central North Carolina, the rocket should begin to rise above the southern horizon about two to three minutes after launch. Around six minutes after liftoff, look low in the southeast as the rocket reaches its highest point in the sky, about 17 degrees above the horizon. For many viewers, that will appear just above the treeline. Although sunrise will still be about an hour away on the ground, sunlight will already be reaching the upper atmosphere, where the rocket and its exhaust plume will be moving. That combination can make the plume appear to take on a jellyfish look as it expands reduced pressure of the upper reaches of the pre-dawn sky. The mission will carry 29 desk-sized Starlink satellites into orbit. These launches help replenish SpaceX's broadband internet constellation as older satellites de-orbit at the end of their useful lives. Some satellites may also de-orbit sooner than expected when increased solar activity heats and expands the upper atmosphere, increasing atmospheric drag. While you are looking for the rocket, note orange Mars and cream colored Saturn flanking the waxing crescent Moon in the southeastern sky.
SpaceX gears up for Starship Flight 13
WASHINGTON -- SpaceX plans to conduct its next Starship launch as soon as July 16 to test fixes to issues from the previous flight and deploy functioning Starlink satellites. The company said July 11 it is targeting a launch of the Flight 13 mission in a 90-minute window that opens at 6:45 p.m. Eastern from its Starbase, Texas, site. The announcement came a day after completing a static fire of the Super Heavy booster that will launch the mission. The upcoming mission will fly a similar 65-minute suborbital profile as Flight 12 on May 22. That was the first flight of the upgraded version 3 of the vehicle and was mostly successful, although it experienced some anomalies. The biggest issue was the failure of the Super Heavy booster to perform a controlled "soft" splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. SpaceX said it traced the issue to how the engines in the Starship upper stage, or ship, ignited while still attached to the booster. "At stage separation on Flight 12, slight differences in engine startup on the ship caused the directional flip of the booster to be off by approximately 90 degrees," the company stated in its preview of Flight 13. Five Raptor engines failed to ignite for a boostback burn, causing the burn to shut down early. The company did not elaborate on how the change in the flip direction affected the startup of the boostback burn. "The startup sequence has been modified to be more robust to timing variability and more reliably flip in the desired direction, which is done to increase overall performance," SpaceX stated. "The Super Heavy on this upcoming flight has hardware modifications to improve relight reliability, along with updates to engine alarms and aborts to match the conditions seen in the multi-engine flight environment." Flight 12 also suffered a Raptor engine failure during the booster's ascent, as well as one on the ship. "Several hardware and operational modifications have been made to address the interconnected causes, with additional reliability improvements planned in upcoming versions of the Raptor engine," the company said, but did not explain what those interconnected causes were. Another change for Flight 13 involves the payloads that it will deploy from the upper stage during the suborbital flight. While several previous launches deployed mass simulators of Starlink V3 satellites, SpaceX said this mission will deploy 20 functioning Starlink V3 satellites. SpaceX said the satellites will deploy solar arrays and antennas and then attempt to connect with both a South African ground station and other Starlink satellites. Those demonstrations will be brief since the satellites will be on the same suborbital trajectory as Starship and will reenter after a handful of minutes in space. One factor in the timing of Flight 13 is the completion of a mishap investigation mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration after Flight 12. As of July 10, the FAA had not announced the completion of the investigation, which focused on the failure of Super Heavy to perform a soft splashdown. If Flight 13 is successful, it may allow SpaceX to perform the first orbital launch of Starship on the next flight. SpaceX is pushing to get Starship into service to deploy Starlink V3 satellites, as well as for Starship's use as a lunar lander for NASA's Artemis lunar exploration campaign.
China poses biggest long-term competitive threat to SpaceX - Morgan Stanley By Investing.com
Investing.com-- Morgan Stanley said China's rapidly advancing reusable rocket program is emerging as the biggest long-term competitive threat to SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX), after the country successfully recovered an orbital-class rocket booster for the first time. The Wall Street brokerage said China's successful recovery of the Long March 10B booster marked a major step toward routine rocket reuse, although it cautioned that Beijing still needs to demonstrate repeated launches and reflights before achieving an operational reusable launch system. Get premium analyst insights, AI-powered research with InvestingPro subscription The brokerage said the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC) became only the third entity after SpaceX and Blue Origin to recover an orbital-class booster, underscoring the country's accelerating ambitions in commercial space. Morgan Stanley analysts said China's deep space ecosystem, spanning state-backed launch programs and private companies such as LandSpace, Galactic Energy and Space Pioneer, makes it the most significant competitive challenge to SpaceX's launch business over the long run. The note highlighted that China carried out 90 orbital launches in 2025, compared with SpaceX's 165 Falcon 9 launches, making it the world's second-largest launch market by activity. U.S. Space Force officials had estimated earlier this year that China was still three to five years away from mastering rocket reusability, although the Long March 10B demonstration could shorten that timeline, Morgan Stanley said. The brokerage also pointed to China's broader space ambitions, including the planned Guowang and Qianfan low-Earth orbit satellite constellations, which together target about 28,000 satellites, as well as a proposed filing for more than 190,000 non-geostationary satellites. Morgan Stanley said China is also investing heavily in space-based computing, citing the launch of the first satellites in the planned 2,800-satellite "Star Compute" orbital supercomputer network. Despite the rising competition, Morgan Stanley maintained its "overweight" rating on SpaceX with a $300 price target, saying the company remains the global leader in launch cadence, reusable rocket technology and satellite connectivity, while warning investors not to underestimate China's progress in narrowing the gap.
Polymarket prices 60% chance of 2026 Fed hike after weak June jobs report
Polymarket Reprices "Fed Rate Hike in 2026?" After Weaker June Jobs Report On Polymarket, the "Fed rate hike in 2026?" contract is priced at 60% Yes (40% No) on $3.81m matched volume, after a sharp swing from 66.5% previously. The repricing follows a weaker-than-expected June jobs report that traders read through the lens of how much pressure the Fed will have to keep tightening. Key Takeaways * Polymarket currently implies a 60% chance of a Fed rate hike in 2026 (Yes 60%, No 40%), with Yes still the leading outcome. * After the jobs-report catalyst, odds moved off 66.5% to 60%, signaling meaningful disagreement even as the broader trend remains bullish for "Yes." * The market resolves on 2026-12-09, and the recent tape shows high volatility with a 9.0pp move over both 24h and 7d. A June U.S. jobs report showed payrolls up 57,000 versus a 115,000 economist estimate, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.2% as participation fell to 61.5%. The report also included downward revisions to April and May payroll gains, and stocks rose on the view that a cooling labor market reduces pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise rates. Odds, Liquidity, and Tape: Yes 60% (Down From 66.5%) on $3.81M Matched Volume With 9.0pp Volatility This is a binary contract: a "Yes" share at 60% represents the market's implied probability that at least one Fed rate hike occurs in 2026 by the resolution date (2026-12-09). Despite the macro headline pointing toward less tightening pressure, Polymarket is still pricing a majority-probability hike outcome, but the drop from 66.5% to 60% shows traders are not treating the labor data as decisive. The historical summary flags high volatility and a detected reversal, consistent with the intraday-like whipsaw in the provided change series (large down move followed by rapid rebounds) rather than a smooth repricing. At the same time, the tape is labeled bullish with strengthening consensus and moderate momentum, which fits a market that keeps reverting toward "Yes" even after negative catalysts. With $3.81m matched volume, the contract has enough activity that these probability shifts read as a real-time aggregation of competing rate paths, not a single snapshot reaction. Watch whether the market stabilizes around the mid-50s to low-60s range or extends the reversal: given the "high" volatility and "reversal_detected" flag, the next notable signal is a sustained move away from the avg_last_5 of 59.7% versus another quick snap-back toward the prior 66.5% highs as new macro prints land. What Traders Watch Next on Polymarket: CPI, Recession, and Crypto Rate-Sensitivity Contracts After the 2026 Hike Reversa Zooming out from the 2026 path, traders are also parking liquidity in nearer-dated policy and event contracts that can reprice fast on headlines. The 77.5% "Fed Decision in July?" market (No change) is the obvious front-end gauge, and its $50,729,978 in volume shows where the platform's macro attention is concentrated. For a very different kind of catalyst risk, "Ballon d'Or Winner 2026" has Kylian Mbappé leading at 32.5% with $6,789,948 traded -- an example of how Polymarket participants rotate between rate-sensitive macro and high-volatility cultural/sports outcomes depending on the news cycle. Odds Trend By the Numbers * Platform: Polymarket * Market: Fed rate hike in 2026? * Resolution window: Dec 09, 2026 (UTC) * Status: Active (open for trading) * Leading implied prob.: 60.0% * Volume: ~$3,811,912 * Top outcomes: Yes: Yes 60.0% / No 40.0%; No: Yes 60.0% / No 40.0%
Polymarket odds for Iran Gulf action fall to 66.5% after Hormuz claim
Polymarket Reprices the "Iran Military Action Against a Gulf State" Ladder After IRGC Strait of Hormuz Headline Polymarket traders marked down the top strike in the "Iran military action against a Gulf state" ladder, with the leading July 13 line at 66.5% after a 16.0-point drop on $519,984 in volume. The move followed headlines about an IRGC claim on the Strait of Hormuz, offering a clean read on how timing risk is being repriced across the date strikes. Key Takeaways * Polymarket's leading strike is July 13 at 66.5% Yes / 33.5% No. * After the Hormuz-closure headline, the ladder repriced lower, with the leading strike down 16.0 points to 66.5% on $519,984 volume. * This market is scheduled to resolve by 2026-07-31T23:59:00+00:00; recent action shows high volatility with reversal_detected flagged in the summary. A live conflict update reported that Iran's IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, framing the move as a response to US interference. The same update said Israel continued attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, with multiple civilians reported killed or wounded. Odds & Liquidity Breakdown: July 13 Drops to 66.5% on $519,984 Volume as the Date-Strike Curve Steepens This is a price-ladder market: each date is its own binary, where "Yes" reflects the chance the specified action occurs on that specific day, not a single pooled probability for the whole month. The front of the curve still prices near-term risk as dominant -- July 12 trades 64.5% Yes / 35.5% No and July 13 trades 66.5% Yes / 33.5% No -- while later dates steeply discount, like July 14 at 37.5% Yes / 62.5% No and July 20 at 16.5% Yes / 83.5% No. The headline-triggered downtick is sharp at the lead strike (down from 82.5% to 66.5%), yet the historical summary simultaneously flags high volatility and reversal_detected, which fits a market that has been whipsawing between fast-risk and de-escalation interpretations rather than converging smoothly. With $519,984 matched and "consensus: strengthening" alongside "trend: bearish," the most defensible read is that traders are narrowing toward a specific early window (around July 12-13) even as they reduce confidence from prior highs. Watch whether the ladder's curve flattens (later dates rising toward the front) or steepens (July 12-13 holding up while July 14+ fades), since that shape change is the clearest signal of traders shifting from "imminent" timing to "delayed or not on a specific day" timing into the 2026-07-31 resolution deadline. Cross-Market Watchlist: How Traders Hedge Timing Risk Using Macro and Crypto Polymarket Contracts Alongside the Iran Lad If you're managing timing risk on this ladder, it helps to keep an eye on adjacent Polymarket contracts that capture the same headline flow through different resolution mechanics. Traders have been especially active in "Iran leader end of 2026?" (79.55%, $26,773,557 volume) and the shipping-focused "Strait of Hormuz traffic returns to normal by July 31?" (95.5%, $15,693,532 volume), while the nearer-dated "Strait of Hormuz traffic returns to normal by July 15?" sits at 99.65% on $9,419,896. For a more operational read-through, "Iran full airspace closure by...?" is pricing its lead at 33.0% ($3,232,894 volume), offering another way to gauge whether traders see disruption as transient or persistent. Odds Trend By the Numbers * Platform: Polymarket * Market: Iran military action against a gulf state on...? * Contract type: Price strike ladder: each rung has separate Yes/No; Yes means the spot price is above that USD strike at settlement. * Resolution window: Jul 31, 2026 (UTC) * Status: Active (open for trading) * Volume: ~$519,984 Top strike rungs +19 more strikes not shown
Polymarket odds: Putin out by June 2027 rises to 18% amid Ukraine war escalation
Polymarket Reprices "Putin Out by June 30, 2027" After Renewed Russia-Ukraine Strike Headlines Polymarket traders are pricing a higher chance that Vladimir Putin is out as President of Russia by June 30, 2027, with the lead ladder rung at 18% on $17.14M matched. The repricing comes alongside fresh headlines on intensified Russia-Ukraine strikes, and the ladder's across-date probabilities show where the market concentrates timing risk. Key Takeaways * Top pricing implies 18% for "Putin out by June 30, 2027" (Yes 18% / No 82%) on Polymarket's ladder. * The catalyst is renewed reporting on escalating strikes; traders' reaction shows up as a higher long-dated removal probability than near-term rungs. * Settlement is tied to the June 30, 2027 resolution date; near-term rungs (2026 dates) remain single-digit Yes probabilities. A report says Russia struck Kyiv and Odesa with missiles and drones, with Ukrainian authorities reporting injuries in Kyiv and deaths and injuries in Odesa. It also describes separate attacks in Kharkiv, damage to civilian sites, and Zelenskyy urging NATO members to follow through on commitments while Ukraine faces dwindling munitions. The piece adds that fighting has escalated, with Ukraine increasing drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure and activity around the Sea of Azov and Crimea, followed by intensified Russian attacks. Ladder Market Data: $17.14M Matched With 18% on June 30, 2027 vs 8.5% (Dec 31, 2026) and 0.65% (Jul 31, 2026) This is a price-ladder market: each date is a separate binary on whether Putin is out by that cutoff, so "June 30, 2027" at Yes 18% / No 82% is not a forecast of a specific date -- it's the probability of being out by that deadline. The curve is steep: December 31, 2026 is Yes 8.5% / No 91.5%, while September 30, 2026 is Yes 3.95% / No 96.05% and July 31, 2026 is Yes 0.65% / No 99.35%, signaling traders place most of the risk in a longer window rather than imminently. Despite $17,141,276 matched, the historical summary flags bearish, strong momentum with moderate volatility and a -2.0pp move over both 24h and 7d, suggesting recent trading has leaned toward "No" relative to the last-week average (latest 8.5 vs avg last 5 at 16.4). The big spread between the 2026 rungs and the 2027 rung implies timing disagreement is concentrated after 2026 -- consistent with a market that updates continuously on catalysts but still demands a high bar for near-term regime-change probabilities. Watch whether liquidity continues to migrate between the 2026 rungs and the June 30, 2027 rung: if the headline flow is interpreted as near-term destabilization, the earliest rungs (July/August/September 2026) should rise first; if not, moves may stay concentrated in the longer-dated 2027 cutoff. Cross-Contract Watchlist: How Traders Rotate Liquidity From Putin-Timing Ladders Into Macro, Election, and Crypto Polyma Beyond this ladder, traders often rotate into other high-activity Polymarket contracts that offer cleaner, shorter-dated exposure to macro risk, election timing, and crypto volatility. In practice, that means watching the platform's top CPI/Fed-path and recession-style markets, the headline U.S. election questions, and the always-liquid BTC/ETH and ETF/approval event contracts -- because when attention (and liquidity) shifts, pricing can re-anchor quickly across themes even if the underlying drivers aren't directly connected. Odds Trend By the Numbers * Platform: Polymarket * Market: Putin out as President of Russia by...? * Contract type: Price strike ladder: each rung has separate Yes/No; Yes means the spot price is above that USD strike at settlement. * Resolution window: Jun 30, 2027 (UTC) * Status: Active (open for trading) * Volume: ~$17,141,276 Top strike rungs +1 more strikes not shown
Asia's Rocket Breakthroughs Challenge SpaceX Dominance
China recovers booster with net, Japan achieves vertical landing in reusable tech race Elon Musk's SpaceX (U.S.) has long dominated the reusable launch vehicle market, but now China and Japan are challenging its lead. On July 10, China successfully captured the first-stage booster of a rocket that deployed an actual satellite into space using a large net over the ocean. Japan, on July 11, achieved a vertical takeoff and landing of a small experimental rocket. Reusing the first-stage booster -- the most expensive part of a rocket -- reduces launch costs and increases frequency. This technology is critical for deploying satellite internet constellations and enabling lunar and Martian exploration. While SpaceX remains ahead, the entry of China and Japan signals intensifying global competition in reusable launch systems. ◇ China's Net-Based Booster Recovery China demonstrated the ability to perform a real orbital launch and recover the first-stage booster simultaneously. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) launched the Long March-10B from a commercial spaceport in Hainan on July 10, successfully placing a satellite into its designated orbit. The separated first-stage booster reignited its engines to slow its descent toward a designated maritime target. Four hooks attached to the booster were then caught by a large net on a floating platform. This marked the first time China recovered the first stage of a large rocket used in an actual orbital launch, following two previous failed attempts. Unlike SpaceX's Falcon 9, which uses landing legs to touch down on land or a drone ship, the Long March-10B employs a net-based recovery system. This approach reduces weight by eliminating landing legs, allowing for greater payload capacity. The net also accommodates movement from waves and wind, ensuring stable capture. However, full reusability requires repeated inspections and relaunches of recovered boosters. CASC plans to assess the recovered booster and attempt a reflight within the year. ◇ Japan's Low-Altitude Vertical Takeoff and Landing Test Japan validated core reusable rocket technologies -- vertical takeoff and landing, as well as precision flight control -- using a small experimental vehicle. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully tested the reusable launch vehicle demonstrator "RV-X" at a test site in Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture, on July 11. The 7.3-meter-tall cylindrical RV-X is equipped with a throttleable engine, autonomous flight control systems, and four shock-absorbing landing legs. During the test, it ascended vertically to 11 meters, moved horizontally 16 meters while maintaining an upright position, and landed vertically. Though the flight lasted less than a minute, it proved the feasibility of key technologies. Japan plans to gradually increase the test altitude to approximately 100 meters and verify engine reignition and repeated flight capabilities. While still in early stages compared to China, the test marks Japan's first step toward entering the reusable rocket market. Foreign media framed these developments as challenges to SpaceX's dominance. Reuters called China's success a "major step forward in challenging the U.S.," while the Associated Press noted Japan's efforts to "secure core technologies for competing in the launch market dominated by SpaceX." ◇ South Korea Aims to Secure Core Reusability Technology by 2032 SpaceX, however, maintains a significant lead. It first landed a Falcon 9 first-stage booster in 2015 and began reusing recovered boosters for missions in 2017. To date, it has achieved over 600 successful booster recoveries and reused individual boosters more than 30 times. South Korea is still in the early stages of developing reusable launch vehicles. The Korea AeroSpace Administration plans to develop a next-generation launch vehicle based on an 80-ton methane engine, investing over 2 trillion Korean won in the project. The goal is to secure core reusability technologies by 2032 and advance toward a fully reusable launch system. With China and Japan achieving successive test successes, experts urge South Korea to accelerate its design and testing processes. "Reusable rockets are essential technology to avoid falling behind in the space race," said one industry source. "While there is consensus on its importance and direction, development must be expedited."
Polymarket promo code ALCOM: A guaranteed $50 bonus allows you to trade McGregor vs. Holloway 2
Polymarket promo code ALCOM lets you turn tonight's McGregor vs. Holloway 2 main event into a high-upside trading opportunity from the opening bell. For UFC 329 McGregor vs. Holloway 2 markets you can claim $50 on a $20 deposit, click here to secure your $50 bonus and lock in your trades today. Polymarket promo code ALCOM: Grab a $50 sign-up bonus * Polymarket promo code: ALCOM * Sign-up bonus: $50 in bonus funds * Requirements: Register for an account and deposit $20 or more * Terms and conditions: 18+ and located in a U.S. state where Polymarket operates * Last verified: July 11, 2026 How Polymarket UFC 329 markets work for McGregor vs Holloway 2 Polymarket is an event prediction market, not a sportsbook. Here, traders will buy and sell contracts tied to specific events, such as Max Holloway shutting the Conor McGregor hype down and knocking him out this weekend at UFC 329. The share price will always be between $0.00 and $1.00 based on the chance of that event in the live market. A few weeks ago, I placed a trade on Diego Lopes to beat Steve Garcia at UFC Freedom 250 at $0.57 per share. After he got the emphatic knockout, Polymarket paid me $1.00 per share, resulting in a profit of $0.43 per share. With the Polymarket promo code ALCOM, you'll receive a $50 bonus when you deposit $20+. For more on Orderbook liquidity, advanced trading strategies and step-by-step guides on how to deposit funds, check out our in-depth Polymarket referral code review. How to claim the Polymarket promo code ALCOM Getting your Polymarket promo code ALCOM is very easy; just follow the basic step-by-step guide below. Step-by-step guide Polymarket UFC 329 preview: McGregor vs. Holloway 2 As International Fight Week descends upon Las Vegas, the prediction market traders are flocking to the Polymarket Orderbooks to capture early closing line value on a colossal welterweight rematch 13 years in the making. Heading into UFC 329, the market is pricing in severe ring rust for Conor McGregor, who hasn't competed since breaking his leg in 2021, while strongly backing an active Max Holloway at 68¢ (68% chance) as he makes his 170-pound debut, a stark contrast to their 2013 featherweight clash, where McGregor dominated with four takedowns and over six minutes of ground control. This wide pricing gap reflects a sharp trading community that is heavily weighing Holloway's sustained elite-level striking output against the physical uncertainty of McGregor's five-year layoff, while also anticipating a violent finish with the "Fight to go the distance" shares sitting at a lowly 22¢ (22% chance). Because these contracts yield immediate liquidity, the real strategic edge before the Octagon door locks lies in identifying whether the market is overcorrecting for McGregor's inactivity or underestimating how Holloway's chin and power will translate up at welterweight, allowing traders to build positions before tonight's walkouts reposition the entire Orderbook.
UFC 329 Prediction Market Promo Codes: Kalshi, Polymarket Lead McGregor Fight Offers
UFC 329 Prediction Market Promo Codes: Kalshi, Polymarket Lead McGregor Fight Offers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. UFC 329 is bringing the heat with the highly anticipated rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway. If you're feeling stuck with the same old moneyline bets and want to chase a real chance at a nice pay day, prediction markets are the perfect way to level up your strategy. To get you started, there are $145 in bonuses available right now when you use the latest UFC 329 prediction market promo codes. Specifically, the latest welcome offer allows new Kalshi customers to get a $15 sign-up bonus that is unlocked after making just $10 in trades. You can use this bonus on the McGregor vs. Holloway matchup, or any other bout on the card this week. Take a look at the heavy-hitting lineup of prediction market offers available for this week's fights: Start with Kalshi and Get the $15 Bonus New Kalshi customers can elevate the excitement of UFC 329 with an exclusive welcome promotion that gets you right into the action. By registering for an account here ahead of the main event, eligible users can secure a $15 bonus. Whether you want to trade on McGregor finding his vintage form or Holloway putting on a striking clinic, this offer provides a fantastic starting point for your trading journey. To take advantage of this promotion, you must be a new Kalshi customer, at least 18 years of age, and located in a state where Kalshi is available. Claiming the offer is straightforward: begin by making a first-time deposit of at least $1 into your new account. Once your account is funded, simply make $10 in trades on their prediction markets, and your $15 bonus will be officially unlocked. More UFC 329 Prediction Market Promo Codes If you really want to maximize your bankroll, diversifying your trades across multiple platforms is a savvy move. I'm placing these trades across the board to take advantage of the full slate of UFC 329 prediction market promo codes: Using Your Bonuses for McGregor vs. Holloway The main event at UFC 329 presents a compelling opportunity for prediction market traders. As a quick history lesson, McGregor won the first meeting by unanimous decision back in 2013. However, the prediction markets show a different story for the rematch today. Below are the current vig-free probabilities for the two possible match outcomes on Kalshi: Remaining UFC 329 Main Card We've got a stacked lineup to trade on. Here are the remaining bouts on the UFC 329 card:
UFC 329 Prediction Market Promo Codes: Kalshi, Polymarket Lead McGregor Fight Offers
UFC 329 Prediction Market Promo Codes: Kalshi, Polymarket Lead McGregor Fight Offers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. UFC 329 is bringing the heat with the highly anticipated rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway. If you're feeling stuck with the same old moneyline bets and want to chase a real chance at a nice pay day, prediction markets are the perfect way to level up your strategy. To get you started, there are $145 in bonuses available right now when you use the latest UFC 329 prediction market promo codes. Specifically, the latest welcome offer allows new Kalshi customers to get a $15 sign-up bonus that is unlocked after making just $10 in trades. You can use this bonus on the McGregor vs. Holloway matchup, or any other bout on the card this week. Take a look at the heavy-hitting lineup of prediction market offers available for this week's fights: Start with Kalshi and Get the $15 Bonus New Kalshi customers can elevate the excitement of UFC 329 with an exclusive welcome promotion that gets you right into the action. By registering for an account here ahead of the main event, eligible users can secure a $15 bonus. Whether you want to trade on McGregor finding his vintage form or Holloway putting on a striking clinic, this offer provides a fantastic starting point for your trading journey. To take advantage of this promotion, you must be a new Kalshi customer, at least 18 years of age, and located in a state where Kalshi is available. Claiming the offer is straightforward: begin by making a first-time deposit of at least $1 into your new account. Once your account is funded, simply make $10 in trades on their prediction markets, and your $15 bonus will be officially unlocked. More UFC 329 Prediction Market Promo Codes If you really want to maximize your bankroll, diversifying your trades across multiple platforms is a savvy move. I'm placing these trades across the board to take advantage of the full slate of UFC 329 prediction market promo codes: Using Your Bonuses for McGregor vs. Holloway The main event at UFC 329 presents a compelling opportunity for prediction market traders. As a quick history lesson, McGregor won the first meeting by unanimous decision back in 2013. However, the prediction markets show a different story for the rematch today. Below are the current vig-free probabilities for the two possible match outcomes on Kalshi: Remaining UFC 329 Main Card We've got a stacked lineup to trade on. Here are the remaining bouts on the UFC 329 card:
UFC 329 Prediction Market Promo Codes: Kalshi, Polymarket Lead McGregor Fight Offers
UFC 329 is bringing the heat with the highly anticipated rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway. If you're feeling stuck with the same old moneyline bets and want to chase a real chance at a nice pay day, prediction markets are the perfect way to level up your strategy. To get you started, there are $145 in bonuses available right now when you use the latest UFC 329 prediction market promo codes. Specifically, the latest welcome offer allows new Kalshi customers to get a $15 sign-up bonus that is unlocked after making just $10 in trades. You can use this bonus on the McGregor vs. Holloway matchup, or any other bout on the card this week. Take a look at the heavy-hitting lineup of prediction market offers available for this week's fights: Start with Kalshi and Get the $15 Bonus New Kalshi customers can elevate the excitement of UFC 329 with an exclusive welcome promotion that gets you right into the action. By registering for an account here ahead of the main event, eligible users can secure a $15 bonus. Whether you want to trade on McGregor finding his vintage form or Holloway putting on a striking clinic, this offer provides a fantastic starting point for your trading journey. To take advantage of this promotion, you must be a new Kalshi customer, at least 18 years of age, and located in a state where Kalshi is available. Claiming the offer is straightforward: begin by making a first-time deposit of at least $1 into your new account. Once your account is funded, simply make $10 in trades on their prediction markets, and your $15 bonus will be officially unlocked. More UFC 329 Prediction Market Promo Codes If you really want to maximize your bankroll, diversifying your trades across multiple platforms is a savvy move. I'm placing these trades across the board to take advantage of the full slate of UFC 329 prediction market promo codes: * Polymarket: Use the Polymarket promo code TSNEWS here and score a $50 bonus to use on their massive peer-to-peer markets. * Novig: Register here with the Novig promo code TSNEWS50 and get $50 in Novig Coins for trades. * ProphetX: Sign up here with the ProphetX promo code TSNEWS and grab a $20 bonus following $10 in trades. * OG.com: Unlock the OG.com promo here and make $10 in trades for a $10 bonus. Using Your Bonuses for McGregor vs. Holloway The main event at UFC 329 presents a compelling opportunity for prediction market traders. As a quick history lesson, McGregor won the first meeting by unanimous decision back in 2013. However, the prediction markets show a different story for the rematch today. Below are the current vig-free probabilities for the two possible match outcomes on Kalshi: Remaining UFC 329 Main Card We've got a stacked lineup to trade on. Here are the remaining bouts on the UFC 329 card:
Polymarket Promo Code COVERS: Claim $50 Bonus for McGregor vs. Holloway, UFC 329 Prediction Markets
Polymarket promo code COVERS unlocks a $50 bonus. Trade on McGregor vs. Holloway 2 today! Use the Polymarket promo code COVERS to claim a $50 bonus on one of the best prediction market apps available right now. New users who sign up by July 11 can put that bonus to work trading on Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2. A code is required, and a minimum deposit of $20 is needed to unlock the offer. Polymarket Promo Code: Get $50 to Trade McGregor vs. Holloway 2 The Polymarket promo code offer gives new users a $50 bonus after depositing a minimum of $20. This is a prediction market platform, so instead of placing traditional bets, you are trading on the likelihood of outcomes, including who wins the McGregor vs. Holloway 2 fight. The code required to unlock this offer is COVERS, entered during registration. Here are the key terms and conditions to keep in mind before signing up: * Available in all U.S. states except Nevada * You must be physically located in an eligible state * A minimum deposit of $20 is required to activate the bonus * Valid photo ID is required, including a selfie holding that ID * Social Security Number verification may also be required If you trade on McGregor to win and he does, your position pays out based on the market price at the time of your trade. If Holloway wins instead and your McGregor trade does not resolve in your favor, the $50 bonus gives you additional funds to continue trading on other markets. Polymarket also covers predictions on politics, entertainment, economics, and more, making it a versatile platform well beyond sports. Check out the best prediction market promos to compare what else is available before you decide. Use the correct Polymarket promo code for your state How to Claim Your Polymarket Bonus for McGregor vs. Holloway 2 Claiming the Polymarket welcome offer is straightforward. Follow these steps to get your account set up and start trading on McGregor vs. Holloway 2. Pages related to this topic
'Stole all of Apple's phone technology': Inside fresh Elon Musk-Sam Altman feud, SpaceX CEO's 'parole officer' jab
The feud comes as OpenAI faces a new legal battle, with Apple accusing the AI firm of misusing confidential information related to its future hardware products. Musk's recent jab at Altman has gained widespread attention because of its timing; the SpaceX CEO has repeatedly questioned OpenAI's leadership and business practices in the past. Also Read | Candace Owens says Elon Musk, Sam Altman are 'hybrid,' suggests they aren't humans, 'It's something in the eyes...' Reposting it, Musk wrote of Altman, "He takes scamming to a whole new level". Altman soon fired back, telling Musk, "homeboy you're the one sellling public market investors on short-term space datacenters," referring to orbital data centers Musk has championed and plans on launching as a solution to AI energy limitations on Earth. Also Read | OpenAI's Sam Altman proposes giving Trump administration 5% equity stake: Report Musk then replied, "We start flying them next year. Maybe you can come see them if your parole officer approves. After stealing an open source AI charity, you then stole all of Apple's phone technology! Wow. What do you plan for an encore? That's tough to beat." Altman recently also suggested that one of his company's latest AI models, 5.6 Sol, was the "best model in the world right now," taking a jab at Musk after he accused him of scamming users. Altman wrote on X, "there are a lot of benchmarks that suggest 5.6 sol is the best model in the world right now, but the most reliable way to tell is that elon is obsessed with me again".
Polymarket odds jump to 57.5% for Iran action on July 12 after Hormuz report
Polymarket Ladder Reprices After Hormuz-Linked U.S. Strike Reports Shift Timing Expectations Polymarket traders sharply repriced the ladder market on whether Iran will take military action against a Gulf state, with the leading July 12 strike at 57.5% and $252,734 matched. The move followed new reporting about U.S. strikes on Iran tied to a shipping incident in the Strait of Hormuz, and the market's repricing is visible across nearby date strikes. Key Takeaways * Prediction: The leading strike is July 12 at 57.5% Yes (42.5% No) on Polymarket's ladder. * Basis: After the Hormuz-related catalyst, the market jumped +42.3 percentage points to 57.5% with $252,734 matched, signaling a fast update in expected timing. * Timing: The market resolves by 2026-07-31 23:59 UTC; odds also show a steep drop-off for later July strikes. A report says the U.S. military began a third round of strikes against Iran after a civilian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz was hit and a Cyprus-flagged container ship suffered significant engine-room damage, with one civilian crew member missing. Iran said it considers the Strait of Hormuz closed again after warning shots at a ship it described as using an unauthorized route. The report also describes diplomatic contacts involving Oman and Iran about the strait and mentions Iranian statements about carrying out revenge tied to wartime events. Odds & Liquidity Snapshot: July 12 Leads at 57.5% Yes on $252,734 Matched as Later July Strikes Fade This is a price-ladder market: each date is its own Yes/No contract, where "Yes" means Iran takes military action against a Gulf state on that specific date (not a single market that settles to a date). The repricing is concentrated in the near-term strikes: July 12 trades 57.5% Yes / 42.5% No, while July 13 is near a coin flip at 51.5% Yes / 48.5% No; further out, July 16 is 33.5% Yes / 66.5% No and July 31 is 18.5% Yes / 81.5% No. That shape implies traders are expressing timing risk more than a blanket "yes eventually" view -- confidence decays quickly as the date moves later in July. On market efficiency signals, the leading strike jumped from 15.2% to 57.5% (+42.3pp) on $252,734 matched, and the historical summary flags strong bullish momentum with low volatility and stable consensus, suggesting the market moved decisively rather than whipsawing. The resolution window (by 2026-07-31 23:59 UTC) matters because these contracts are keyed to specific calendar days; small shifts in perceived timing will rotate pricing across adjacent strikes rather than simply pushing one continuous probability up or down. Watch whether pricing continues to concentrate on July 12-13 or migrates to later strikes (July 15-19) as traders express timing uncertainty; the steep gap between July 13 (51.5% Yes) and July 16 (33.5% Yes) is the key fault line to monitor into the 2026-07-31 resolution deadline. What Traders Watch Next on Polymarket: Timing-Risk Rotation Across July 12-19 Ladders and Related Macro/Crypto Volatilit Beyond the July 12-19 timing ladder, traders often rotate into adjacent Polymarket contracts that express the same risk through different settlement triggers and horizons. In the shipping lane bucket, 99.55% is on "Strait of Hormuz traffic returns to normal by July 15?" (leading "No") on $8,996,888 volume, while 93.5% backs "No" on "Strait of Hormuz traffic returns to normal by July 31?" with $15,356,070 traded. On the longer-dated political side, "Iran leader end of 2026?" has 79.85% on "Mojtaba Khamenei" with $23,138,158 volume, and "US announces blockade on Iran by...?" prices "December 31" at 55.0% on $2,056,034 -- contracts that can move on different headlines even when the near-term calendar markets stay rangebound. Odds Trend By the Numbers * Platform: Polymarket * Market: Iran military action against a gulf state on...? * Contract type: Price strike ladder: each rung has separate Yes/No; Yes means the spot price is above that USD strike at settlement. * Resolution window: Jul 31, 2026 (UTC) * Status: Active (open for trading) * Volume: ~$252,734 Top strike rungs +19 more strikes not shown
Polymarket odds show Vance leading 2028 field at 19.85%
predict.info -- Premium Domain For Sale Domain only: USD 200,000. Prediction platform technology priced separately. predict.info Polymarket Reprices the 2028 Field After "Democratic Socialist Primary Revolt" Narrative Shock Polymarket traders are pricing the 2028 US presidential field with JD Vance as the top outcome at 19.85% in a $655,785,234 market. The move is being watched alongside a fresh media take on a "Democratic Socialist primary revolt," with the contract's cross-candidate pricing showing how quickly narrative shocks get expressed as implied probabilities. Key Takeaways * Polymarket's leading implied outcome is JD Vance at 19.85% in the "Presidential Election Winner 2028" market. * A new commentary framing a "Democratic Socialist primary revolt" as a major intra-party force is a narrative catalyst traders can map into cross-candidate pricing, not a single-candidate binary move. * The market resolves on 2028-11-07, and recent odds action in the series shows a 24h/7d change of -3.15 pp with "bearish" trend and "low" volatility. A published analysis featuring CNN's Harry Enten argues that a "Democratic Socialist primary revolt" resembles "a new Tea Party, but it's on steroids." The piece frames the dynamic as an intensified intra-party insurgency with potential downstream implications for candidate coalitions and primary outcomes. 2028 Winner Market Snapshot: $655.8M Volume With Vance 19.85%, Rubio 13.8%, Newsom 11.65% and -3.15pp 24h Drift This is a multi-outcome Polymarket contract: each candidate is its own Yes/No proposition, and the displayed probability is the market-implied chance that specific candidate wins the 2028 election by the resolution date. At the top of the board, JD Vance sits at 19.85% (Yes 19.85% / No 80.15%), ahead of Marco Rubio at 13.8% (Yes 13.8% / No 86.2%) and Gavin Newsom at 11.65% (Yes 11.65% / No 88.35%), which signals a fairly dispersed "favorite" rather than a dominant consensus pick. The market's historical summary points to weakening pricing and a modest drift lower (change_24h -3.15 pp; avg_last_5 18.2 vs latest_odds 16.4) while still labeling volatility as low, consistent with traders updating incrementally rather than violently repricing the entire field. Because the contract is continuously traded, narrative catalysts like the "primary revolt" framing tend to show up as small, cross-candidate shifts (rotation among plausible nominees) rather than a slow, single headline-driven step change. Watch whether the top tier compresses or spreads: if Vance's lead holds near 19.85% while the next candidates (Rubio 13.8%, Newsom 11.65%) rise or fall together, that would indicate broad coalition re-pricing rather than a single name absorbing the narrative. Also monitor whether the weakening 24h/7d trend reverses without a jump in volatility, which would imply a steadier consensus rebuild rather than a one-off reaction. Cross-Contract Watchlist: How 2028 Candidate Rotations Spill Into Polymarket Macro and Crypto Outcome Markets Zooming out from the 2028 field itself, Polymarket traders often track how narrative rotations in one political slate echo into adjacent contracts and even risk-on/risk-off positioning elsewhere on the platform. Two nearby reads are 97.8% on "Next leader out of power before 2027? (No Orban)" (leading outcome: Starmer - UK PM; $64,196,525 volume) and 49.0% on "Republican Presidential Nominee 2028" (leading outcome: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; $671,694,568 volume), where shifts in implied probabilities can act like a sentiment check on broader election-cycle expectations. Watching these side-by-side can help traders distinguish a single-market repricing from a cross-contract move that's influencing macro and crypto outcome positioning more generally. Odds Trend By the Numbers * Platform: Polymarket * Market: Presidential Election Winner 2028 * Contract type: Price strike ladder: each rung has separate Yes/No; Yes means the spot price is above that USD strike at settlement. * Resolution window: Nov 07, 2028 (UTC) * Status: Active (open for trading) * Volume: ~$655,785,234 Top strike rungs +33 more strikes not shown
S.F. protesters march on OpenAI, Anthropic and Google DeepMind to demand: 'Stop the AI race'
A crowd of protesters fiercely condemning artificial intelligence and the San Francisco companies that power the technology marched through the city -- the epicenter of AI development -- on Saturday to demand that the companies "stop the AI race." About 200 people carrying signs with messages like "stop slop," "it's not too late to regulate" and "in a race off a cliff no one wins," marched from offices of OpenAI to Anthropic and Google DeepMind to ask to their CEOs to collectively pause all new training of AI models. Protesters decried what they described as AI's role in rising rents, job losses and environmental damage, as well as existential threats to future generations. The rally was organized by Stop the AI Race, led by activist and former AI researcher Michaël Trazzi, who last year started a hunger strike outside Google DeepMind in London to draw attention to the demand to freeze AI development. (A parallel hunger strike took place outside Anthropic's office on Howard Street.) Protesters, who included students, people who work in AI and longtime San Franciscans, said they hoped their collective action would help increase public awareness and, in turn, ratchet up the pressure on AI companies to act. As they marched through downtown San Francisco, people in restaurants, on apartment balconies above the street or walking on the sidewalks stopped to take photos or videos. San Francisco Chronicle Logo See more S.F. Chronicle on Google Make us a Preferred Source to get more of our news when you search. Add Preferred Source "Protests can only do so much," said Aleesa Carbo, a Johns Hopkins University student and AI researcher. "But if we can make the public more aware, that can mobilize them to speak to their senators, speak to the government, to make their wishes known to the AI companies." Carbo is currently enrolled in MATS (Machine Learning Alignment & Theory Scholars), a prominent AI research fellowship whose graduates go on to found AI safety companies or work at companies such as Anthropic. She said she has pivoted her focus to AI safety. "I'm not against AI in principle, but I do think the way that companies are racing towards it is not in a very responsible manner," she said. "At the end of the day, these are dark boxes. Even us, the people who train these models, play with them, we don't fully understand them." Trazzi, who at one point led the crowd in chanting expletives against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, said the stakes are high. "We are in an emergency," he told the crowd. "The problem is they can't stop the race, unless other people stop." His organization is advocating for a global agreement to pause AI development, including from China. This would, in practice, mean current models remain available, but with "no new training runs of larger or more general frontier models," the Stop the AI Race website reads. "The teams currently working on improving the capabilities of these models would move to narrow AI applications or alignment research instead." The companies have not responded directly to Stop the AI Race's demand -- though the group often points to a January interview in which a Bloomberg journalist asked DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis if he would advocate for a collective pause on development, and he said, "I think so." He said he had long envisioned an AI version of CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, "where all the best minds in the world would collaborate together and do the final steps in a very rigorous, scientific way." "Unfortunately," he said, "you need international collaboration, though, because even if one company ... or even the West decided to do that, it has no use unless the whole world agrees." Duncan Haldane, the CEO of a San Francisco startup that uses AI to design circuit boards, said he came to the protest -- with his two children, ages 1 and 5, in a stroller -- to pressure the heads of prominent AI labs to acknowledge the technology's risk and commit to the pause. Haldane's company has benefited from AI, but he said he sees the technology as an "existential threat to humanity." "What they can do now is actually phenomenally dangerous and is going to affect society tremendously," he said. Dean Preston, a former San Francisco supervisor, criticized the "devastating" effects AI companies have had on the city, including soaring rents and housing prices, job loss, environmental "havoc" and political influence. "These tech CEOs view San Francisco as a trophy," he said, "as something to be exploited." He pointed to examples of people pushing back against AI throughout California, from Pittsburg residents protesting in June the construction of a 300,000-square-foot data center from AI developer Avaio Digital (which moved forward despite the public backlash) while voters in Monterey Park in Southern California agreed to permanently ban data centers, becoming the first U.S. city to do so. Some protesters said that, short of a global development pause, they hoped to see more local and state regulation of the artificial intelligence industry. "I would like to see the mayor and our Board of Supervisors start to regulate AI in the city," said Kathe Burick, a resident of San Francisco for 50 years. "Shut them down if they need to, or demand a pause or they can't operate in town." She said the race toward AI without sufficient regulatory guardrails reminds her of the famous scene in the film "2001: A Space Odyssey," when astronaut Dave Bowman asks the HAL 9000 computer to open the pod bay doors after HAL discovers the crew's plan to disconnect him, and HAL responds, "I'm afraid I can't do that." In March, Burick went to a Stop the AI Race demonstration at OpenAI that she said drew only about 30 people. She was heartened by the larger turnout Saturday, especially seeing throngs of young people. "To see this gives me hope," she said.
SpaceX announces target date for 13th Starship launch
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- SpaceX has announced the target date for its thirteenth Starship test flight. The launch window is scheduled to open as early as 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, from Starbase. The thirteenth Starship test flight will be the second flight test of 2026. According to Starbase, the thirteenth Starship test flight aims to accomplish goals similar to those of the previous flight test, which included the debut of the third-generation Starship and Super Heavy vehicles. In addition to completing similar objectives, the flight will also carry the next-generation Starlink V3 satellites for the first time. SpaceX and local law enforcement have established a safety perimeter and coordinated temporary road closures along State Highway 4 and at Boca Chica Beach. SpaceX added that the target dates may change due to a variety of factors.
Al-Zn Codoped BaTiO3 with Intrinsic Defect Engineering: A New Route to Colossal Permittivity and High-Performance Organic Pollutant Remediation - Catalysis Letters
This work introduces a newly engineered Al-Zn co-doped BaTiO system that simultaneously exhibits a colossal dielectric permittivity and outstanding photocatalytic performance for multifunctional applications in high-density energy storage and environmental remediation. The photocatalytic activity of pure and Al-Zn co-doped BaTiO ceramics was systematically investigated for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and malachite green (MG) dyes in aqueous media under natural sunlight irradiation. Both pure and codoped samples crystallize in a single-phase tetragonal perovskite structure without detectable of any secondary phases, confirming structural stability upon codoping. Incorporation of Al and Zn ions induces a significant microstructural refinement, yielding uniformly distributed fine grains. The band structure modulation is achieved through codoping, narrowing the optical band gap from 3.2 to 2.81 eV, thereby extending light absorption into a broader spectral range. XPS analysis confirms the presence of Ba, Ti/Ti, Al, and Zn oxidation state, along with the formation of oxygen vacancies which play a crucial role in enhancing the charge separation and interfacial activity. Al-Zn codoped composition (BaTiAlZnO) displays a high dielectric permittivity of 21,395 at 100 Hz with stable low-frequency behavior, highlighting its potential for advanced energy storage applications. Besides, BaTiAlZnO catalyst demonstrates a rapid and efficient photocatalytic degradation of > 97% for both RhB and MG within 30-35 min, along with excellent reusability and structural stability. This study proves that the strategic of Al-Zn codoping into BaTiO effectively integrates defect engineering, band structure tuning, and microstructural control to achieve a high dielectric constant and environmental remediation performance within a single material platform.
