News

SpaceX Starts Building Starship Launch Complex at Florida's Cape CanaveralMoscow, 2 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- US entrepreneur Elon Musk's private aerospace company SpaceX today said that it had begun building a space launch complex for the US Space Force at Cape Canaveral in Florida. "We’ve received approval to develop Space Launch Complex-37 for Starship operations at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Construction has started," the company said on X​​​. Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station was originally built for the Apollo program, with two pads – 37A, ...

Korean Multi-Purpose Satellite Successfully Reaches OrbitSeoul, 2 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) today announced that the Arirang-7 multi-purpose satellite successfully has reached its orbit after being launched from a spaceport in South America. In a statement, KASA said that the satellite separated from the Vega-C rocket 44 minutes after its launch from the Guiana Space Centre. The statement added that Arirang-7 is equipped with a high-resolution electro-optical camera and an infrared sensor, and will provide high-quality images for environmental monitoring and ...

China Launches Low Earth Orbit Satellite GroupBeijing, 10 Nov (ONA) --- China successfully launched a new group of low Earth orbit satellites from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in the southern island province of Hainan today. The satellite group, the 13th of its kind that will constitute an internet constellation, was launched aboard a Long March-12 carrier rocket, according to China's news agency (Xinhua). The satellites entered the preset orbit successfully.--- ...

China Launches Lijian-1 Y9 Carrier RocketBeijing, 9 Nov (ONA) --- China today launched the Lijian-1 Y9 carrier rocket with two technical experiment satellites onboard. The rocket blasted off at 11:32 a.m. (Beijing Time) from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. It successfully sent the satellites into the planned orbit. --- ...

China Postpones Shenzhou-20 Return MissionBeijing, 5 Nov (ONA) --– The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced that the return of the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft, originally scheduled for today will be postponed due to a suspected impact from a small piece of space debris. The impact analysis and risk assessment are under way, the CMSA said. The decision to postpone the return aims to ensure the safety of the astronauts and the success of the mission. The Shenzhou-20 crew had already completed the handover and takeover procedures in orbit with the Shenzhou-21 crew.--- ...

China Launches New Magnetic Resonance Platform to Support BCI TechnologyBeijing, 21 Oct (ONA) --- The world's first magnetic resonance platform customized for brain-computer interface (BCI) technology was recently launched in north China's Tianjin Municipality. The platform has established a neuroimaging magnetic resonance system, providing key support for the research and development of next-generation BCI technology. As the most complex and sophisticated organ of human, the brain has about 86 billion neurons connected by more than 100 trillion synapses. For such a complex neural network, ...

China Launches Lijian-1 Y8 Carrier Rocket With Three Satellites OnboardBeijing, 19 Oct (ONA) --- China launched today the Lijian-1 Y8 carrier rocket with three satellites onboard. China's news agency (Xinhua) said that the rocket blasted off at 11:33 (Beijing Time) from a commercial aerospace innovation pilot zone in northwest China and successfully sent the satellites into the planned orbit. The three satellites are Pakistan remote-sensing satellite (PRSS-2), AIRSAT 03 and 04 satellites, Xinhua added.--- ...

China Deploys Latest Internet Satellite Constellation in Low-Earth Orbit Beijing, 16 Oct (ONA) --- China successfully launched a Long March-8A carrier rocket from the Hainan Commercial Spacecraft Launch Site today, deploying a new cluster of internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. The mission, conducted from China's southern island province, successfully placed all satellites into their designated orbits according to the official Xinhua News Agency. This deployment represents the twelfth batch of satellites dedicated to China's expanding internet ...

Chinese Researchers Develop Innovative Textile that Helps AI Recognize Voice CommandsBeijing, 14 Oct (ONA) --- Researchers from Soochow University say that AI can empower traditional industries while traditional technologies can, in turn, advance AI, as shown in a new study where an innovative textile helps AI recognize voice commands by amplifying the electrostatic charges generated during speech. This breakthrough promises to turn garments into intuitive, always-accessible AI assistants. Led by researchers from Soochow University, the team designed a triboelectric acoustic textile, dubbed ...

SpaceX Conducts Successful 11th Test Flight of Starship RocketWashington, 14 Oct (ONA) --- SpaceX today launched the eleventh flight of its Starship spacecraft from its Starbase facility in Texas, on a test mission aimed at evaluating the reusable system’s capability to launch satellites and, in the future, transport humans to the Moon and Mars. The Starship vehicle, consisting of the upper stage mounted atop a Super Heavy booster, lifted off at around 23:23 GMT. After stage separation, the booster returned for a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico about ten minutes after liftoff, ...

Omani Student Team Develops Intelligent Security Tool to Address Digital System MisconfigurationsMuscat, 12 Oct (ONA) — A student team from the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Muscat has developed an innovative project named "Misguard," an intelligent security tool designed to address misconfigurations in digital systems. This initiative reflects the awareness of Omani youth about the importance of cybersecurity and their ability to keep pace with rapidly evolving technological challenges.The project aims to automatically detect and promptly rectify security ...

Meta Rolls out Major Facebook Reels UpdateWashington, 8 Oct (ONA) --- Meta announced a series of new updates to the Reels short-video feature on the Facebook app, aimed at improving user engagement and content discovery through enhanced recommendation tools and social interaction features. According to the company, Facebook's updated recommendation algorithm can now learn users' interests more quickly, allowing the platform to display newer and more relevant videos. Meta said the update has increased the visibility of newly published videos by 50%, helping users access the latest content from ...

Google Expands AI Mode to Include Arabic LanguageWashington, 8 Oct (ONA) --- Google has announced the expansion of its AI Mode search experience to more than 35 new languages, including Arabic, extending the feature's availability to over 200 countries and territories worldwide. The company said the update is powered by its latest Gemini AI model, which provides advanced natural language understanding and enhanced handling of multimedia content. Google noted that Gemini's reasoning and multi-modal capabilities allow the search engine to deliver results that are more accurate and ...

Oman to Host OTS 2025 Technology Summit on 20 October Muscat, 7 Oct (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman will host OTS 2025 Technology Summit on 20 and 21 October 2025.The event will be hosted by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and organized by the Research and Education Network (OMREN). This year's summit focuses on artificial intelligence (AI) as a driving force for transforming education and research, as part of national efforts to promote digital transition and innovation across vital sectors. The summit offers new insights and ...

Lunar Farside Mantle Cooler than that of Near Side, Chinese Study FindsBeijing, 6 Oct (ONA) --- A recent scientific study conducted by Chinese researchers from the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, Peking University and Shandong University, have discovered that the mantle on the far side of the moon is cooler than that on the near side. Xinhua News Agency reported that the scientists reached these results after analyzing the lunar farside soil samples collected by China's Chang'e-6 lunar probe. This discovery provides the petrological and geochemical evidence for a temperature ...

OpenAI Prepares to Launch TikTok-Like App Powered by Sora 2 Washington, 30 Sep (ONA) --- OpenAI is preparing to launch a standalone social app that resembles the TikTok experience, coinciding with the launch of its video generation AI model Sora 2. According to a report published by Wired magazine, the app will feature a vertical video feed and swipe-to-scroll navigation. However, it will be limited to AI-generated content only, with no option to upload clips from a user's phone, and videos within the app are limited to 10 seconds or less, while the model's limit outside the platform remains ...

YouTube Lets Users Hide End Screen Pop-upsWashington, 25 Sep (ONA) --- YouTube announced it will finally let users dismiss the pop-ups that fill their screens with recommendations at the end of a video. Now, when users come across an end screen, they can select a new "hide" button in the top-right corner of the video so they can finish what they are watching without distractions. YouTube notes that when users select the "hide" button, it only applies to the video they are watching — not all of them on the platform. They can also bring back the end screen by selecting the "show" button. In ...

EU Asks Apple, Google, Microsoft, Booking.com about Fraud MeasuresBrussels, 23 Sep (ONA) --- The European Commission has asked Apple, Google, Microsoft and Booking.com to explain how they combat financial fraud on their platforms. A commission spokesman said on Tuesday that the action was an "essential step" to protect users across the European Union. A formal request for information was made under the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes strict obligations on large online platforms. The four companies must outline how they prevent users from suffering financial losses ...

China Commences Construction of High-Precision TelescopeBeijing, 22 Sep (ONA) --- China has launched the construction of a new large astronomical observation project, the Xue-shan-mu-chang 15-meter SubMillimeter Telescope (XSMT). The project aims to enhance China's capabilities in exploring the universe by establishing a high-precision facility that addresses a notable gap in its existing astronomical infrastructure, according to China's News Agency (Xinhua). Led by the Nanjing-based Purple Mountain Observatory under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the project is scheduled to be completed in ...

China Successfully Launches Test Satellite for Satellite Internet TechnologyBeijing, 16 Sep (ONA) --- China successfully sent a test satellite for satellite internet technology into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, located northwest of the country, today. The satellite was launched aboard a Long March-2C carrier rocket, with the Yuanzheng-1S (Expedition-1S) upper stage attached to the rocket. The satellite has successfully reached its preset orbit. This was the 595th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.--- ...

Apple Unveils iPhone 17, Apple Watch Series 11, and AirPods Pro 3 at Annual EventWashington, 10 Sep (ONA) --- Apple unveiled its latest product lineup during its annual "Awe Dropping" event at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, announcing the iPhone 17 family, Apple Watch Series 11, and the third generation of AirPods Pro. The event, streamed live on Apple's website and YouTube channel using iPhone 17 Pro devices, introduced significant updates across Apple’s ecosystem. The new AirPods Pro 3 mark the first upgrade in three years, featuring a built-in heart rate sensor, ...

China Launches Several New Remote-Sensing SatellitesBeijing, 9 Sep (ONA) --- China launched a new remote sensing satellite from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan today. The Yaogan-45 satellite was launched aboard a modified Long March-7 carrier rocket. It has entered the preset orbit successfully, according to (Xinhua) news agency. It will be mainly used for scientific experiments, land resource surveys, crop yield estimates, and disaster prevention and relief work. The launch was the 594th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket ...

WhatsApp to Add 'Close Friends' Status FeatureWashington, 2 Sep (ONA) --- WhatsApp has released a new iOS update through the TestFlight beta Program, bringing the version up to 25.23.10.80. WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to share status updates with their close friends, and it will be available in a future update. The new feature introduces a dedicated Close Friends list within the privacy settings, streamlining the process and making it easier to share more personal content with a select group. When posting a Status, users will be able to choose between their full ...

Scientific Breakthrough Utilizes Bacteria for Cancer Treatment Muscat, 31 Aug (ONA) — Omani student Taif Obaid Al Qaidi from the University of A’Sharqiyah has developed a scientific project focusing on cancer treatment using genetically modified bacteria. This achievement earned her first place and the opportunity to represent the Sultanate of Oman at the Falling Walls Lab International Forum, hosted in Berlin, Germany, this November. The project employs genetically modified bacteria as an innovative vehicle to directly target the tumor microenvironment and attack it from ...

WhatsApp Launches AI-Powered Writing HelpWashington, 28 Aug (ONA) --- Instant messaging platform WhatsApp announced the launch of a new feature called Writing Help, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assist users in writing and editing messages after they have been created. The Writing Help feature appears as a pencil icon in a personal or group chat, with AI-generating text suggestions as soon as users tap on it. The platform's parent company, Meta, explained that the feature relies on Private Processing technology, which allows for improved message formulation without allowing ...

Jupiter's Core is not Solid as Commonly Believed, UK Study RevealsLondon, 28 Aug (ONA) --- Jupiter's core is not solid as commonly believed, but rather diffuse and scattered, formed through a more gradual accumulation process, unlike previous assumptions, a new British study has revealed. Published by the UK Royal Astronomical Society, the study indicated that Jupiter did not form from a massive collision at the dawn of the solar system, but rather through a gradual accumulation of heavy and light elements, gathering diverse materials from its surroundings, including rocks, heavy minerals, ...

Apple Announces iPhone 17 Launch Event on 9 September Washington, 27 Aug (ONA) --- Apple announced that it will host its annual event on 9 September 2025 at its campus in the US state of California. The event will be attended by a number of invited media representatives. During the event, Apple will unveil the iPhone 17 lineup, which will include a completely new model called iPhone 17 Air, known for its ultra-thin design, alongside the usual models: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to feature a more durable design with an aluminum ...

Google Launches New Learning Tools in AI-Powered Translate App Washington, 27 Aug (ONA) --- Google announced a major update to its Translate app, adding new AI-powered features to enhance the language learning experience. The company explained that the update focuses on conversation skills, launching a new training feature to practice listening and speaking with confidence. Users select the language they wish to learn, their current level, and their goals. The app then generates customized, realistic scenarios to help them practice listening or speaking, providing hints when needed and ...

Google's NotebookLM's Video Overviews Are Now Available in 80 LanguagesWashington, 26 Aug (ONA) --- Google has announced that NotebookLM's Video Overviews will now be available in 80 languages. "Today we're announcing two key updates to NotebookLM: Video Overviews are now available in 80 languages globally, and we're significantly upgrading all Audio Overviews to be more comprehensive and in-depth. Non-English Audio Overviews will now mirror the rich, detailed experience of the English version, providing a more thorough discussion of your sources in all of the supported languages," Google ...

xAI Open-Sources Grok 2.5 AI Model for Researchers and DevelopersWashington, 24 Aug (ONA) --- Elon Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI announced today that it has open-sourced its Grok 2.5 model, making it available for researchers and developers to study and build upon. The move follows last year's release of Grok 1 as part of Musk's stated commitment to open-source AI development. Grok 2.5, an AI-powered chatbot similar to ChatGPT, can answer questions, generate text, and analyze data. The model is integrated primarily into the X platform application. Musk also said that Grok 3 ...