Bahrain has successfully launched its first domestically designed and developed satellite, Al-Munther. The project, spearheaded by the National Space Science Agency (NSSA), marks a milestone in the Gulf state’s space ambitions. The 3U CubeSat is the first satellite in the region to integrate artificial intelligence for onboard image processing. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Aseeri, CEO of the NSSA, told Arab News: “The successful launch of Bahrain’s Al-Munther satellite into orbit marks a major milestone in the kingdom’s space journey. I take immense pride in the achievements of the National Space Science Agency team, who have successfully placed Al-Munther in orbit, paving the way…

Nuclear power will be a key part of a suite of new energy infrastructure built to meet surging data-center power demand driven by artificial intelligence. But nuclear can’t meet all of the increased data-center power needs. Natural gas, renewables, and battery technology will also have a role to play, according to Goldman Sachs Research. Several big tech companies looking for low carbon, round-the-clock energy signed contracts for new nuclear capacity in the last year, and there could be more such deals ahead. Those efforts come as electricity usage by data centers is expected to more than double by 2030, according to reports…

The British government has announced plans to make it easier to build mini nuclear power stations in England and Wales as part of its efforts to boost UK economic growth. Labour said “archaic” planning rules, which ministers believe have held Britain back in the global race for clean, secure, and affordable energy, will be reformed. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the country had been “let down and left behind” because it had not built a nuclear power station in “decades”—and that the plans would create thousands of highly skilled jobs. Unions and business groups welcomed the move, but environmentalists…

IDF operating in southern Lebanon November 14, 2024 (Source – IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT) The conflict in Gaza has deeply divided global communities, stifling productive discussions. Major General Charlie Herbert, a retired senior Army officer with extensive experience in Afghanistan, shared his perspectives on the war’s conduct, Gaza’s future, and the potential for peace with The Security Podcast. He also reflected on his experiences in Southern Afghanistan in 2006 and 2007, where the focus was on quantifying military success by the number of Taliban combatants killed. “After eliminating 3,000, 4,000, or even 5,000 over several years, you come to realise that you’re…

Space exploration is at a dangerous inflection point, with an urgent need to safeguard outer space as a shared resource, says Ambassador Stuart Holliday, CEO of the Meridian International Center. He calls for enhanced diplomatic efforts and greater international cooperation to address the disputes arising from the proliferation of satellites and the militarisation of space.  Ambassador Holliday emphasises the critical importance of back-channel diplomatic links, expressing concern over their deterioration between major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia. In an interview with National Security News at the Meridian Space forum in Washington, Ambassador Holliday highlighted the challenges…

President Vladimir Putin should be allowed a graceful exit from the war in Ukraine, says Rear Admiral Mike Hewitt.  Adm Hewitt, who served in the US Navy for 31-years, emphasised the need to focus not only on what victory looks like for Ukraine but also on what it might look like for Russia. “The reality is there will be no white flag raised in this conflict”. In an interview with National Security News at the Meridian Space Summit, the admiral said: “We’ve unintentionally boxed Putin in a bit when we talk about regime change.” He noted that discussing regime change…

Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair said that Hamas cannot continue to govern in Gaza and that Israel must allow for a new structure of governance to take shape in the territory. Speaking at a conference in London, Blair said: “It’s been over a year since the October 7 assault on Israel by Hamas, which has left Israelis deeply scarred and traumatised, while the pursuant Israel-Hamas war has led to unprecedented Palestinian casualties, displacement and destruction in Gaza.” The former Prime Minister made his comments in an address he delivered at Haaretz’s newspaper London conference titled “Israel after October 7:…

Axiom Space and Prada have revealed the design for the next-generation spacesuit that will be worn by astronauts during NASA’s Artemis III mission to the Moon. The unveiling took place at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, Italy, and was described by the space company as marking a significant milestone in the future of space exploration. The Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) represents a leap forward in spacesuit technology, blending cutting-edge engineering with Prada’s expertise in materials and design, according to Axiom. Matt Ondler, President of Axiom Space, emphasised the innovative approach, and said: “We have broken the mold. The Axiom…

The Philippines is keen to raise relations with the US to “a whole new level,” says the Director-General of the country’s Space Agency, Dr Joel Marciano.  His remarks come in the wake of joint naval exercises, dubbed “Sama Sama,” conducted in the waters off the Philippine island of Luzon with the United States and four other allies. Dr Marciano said that a milestone in relations with the US was reached in May this year to collaborate at government level on space and to expand cooperation in using space for maritime domain awareness. “This is the first time we’re talking on a…

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert, who led the country during the 2006 Lebanon war, believes that only a “diplomatic agreement” will end the war with Hezbollah. But Mr Olmert, a former lawyer and soldier,  also claimed that efforts for a peaceful resolution to the conflict are being blocked by the current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who wants to “present a picture of victory” to restore his reputation following the October 7 attacks. Mr Olmert, who ordered the invasion of Lebanon in 2006, argued that the current Israeli leader “badly wants the war against Iran”, and that a retaliation attack…

US-China collaboration in space is achievable, despite current geopolitical tensions, according to former astronaut and US Science Envoy. Sian Proctor, who made history as the first black woman to pilot a spacecraft, says that the collective effort of nations in constructing the International Space Station (ISS) demonstrates the immense potential for cooperative ventures in space. This collaboration serves as a model as humanity ventures back to the “Moon, Mars, and beyond”, she says. In an interview with National Security News, Proctor highlighted that space has the unique ability to unite nations. She stressed the importance of recognising that, despite our…

Israel has expanded its military operation in Lebanon with up to 15,000 members of the Israeli Defence Forces on the ground in the country. The disclosure came just hours after the IDF announced it had claimed to have killed a senior Hezbollah figure in Beirut. The IDF said that it had killed Suhail Hussein Husseini, who ran Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut, in airstrikes on Lebanon’s capital and other areas overnight. On Monday alone, the IDF’s air force hit the country 120 times in attempts to destroy Hezbollah’s weapons arsenal. The IDF also announced that it was expanding its ground incursion…