Global Governance

Technology News

  • FAA Orders Night-Only Launches for Commercial Rockets Amid Government Shutdown
    November 8, 2025, 11:34 AM EST. Amid a prolonged government shutdown, the FAA issued a temporary emergency order restricting commercial rocket launches and reentries to overnight hours (10 pm-6 am local) to reduce air-traffic conflicts. The move, intended to address safety risks from staffing shortages as air-traffic controllers remain on duty without pay, also directs airlines to cut flights at about 40 high-impact airports in phased steps. Space launches must occur within the same overnight window, reflecting coordination with the National Airspace System. The order underscores how funding gaps are pressuring regulators to adjust operations while the shutdown's effects ripple beyond federal workers.
  • Michigan Residents Fight Back Against Chinese EV Battery Plant
    November 8, 2025, 11:32 AM EST. In Michigan, grassroots activists challenged a Chinese company (Gotion High-Tech) planning a $2.4B EV battery plant near Big Rapids, backed by $175M in grants under the Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act. The piece argues subsidies spurred foreign backed projects and raised local concerns about environmental risks and health impacts from battery production. Critics cite studies linking emissions to health issues and raise questions about U.S. energy policy and reliance on foreign firms. Prominent voices, including Joachim Groessner, frame the episode as evidence of a broader trend of CCP influence and green subsidies reshaping American industry. The story notes local opposition and the importance of community action against controversial projects.
  • Ranking: Top 10 Smartwatches Reviewed by Notebookcheck - Galaxy Watch8, Ultra and More
    November 8, 2025, 11:28 AM EST. Notebookcheck highlights the latest in smartwatch design and health tracking. The lineup centers on the Galaxy Watch8 in 40- and 44-mm sizes, with an optional LTE version, and a design that borrows from the Watch Ultra. With WearOS, the watches gain a broad app ecosystem and robust performance from a high-end processor, though ECG and blood pressure measurements are still tied to Samsung smartphones. Samsung expands health metrics with features like body composition and vascular load monitoring, while the Watch8 Classic rounds out the range. Overall, Notebookcheck emphasizes display brightness, smooth operation, and the trade-offs between health features and platform requirements.
  • Black Friday phone frenzy: buy now or wait?
    November 8, 2025, 11:26 AM EST. Navigating the rush of Black Friday phone deals means pausing to assess what you truly need. The piece warns that many promos aren't worth chasing and urges buyers to ask whether a purchase will get real use. It contrasts the pull of immediacy with the lure of long-term savings, and flags risks like cracked screens, weak batteries, or stockouts when deals vanish. Early sales create anxiety and hype, but a measured approach-checking features, price history, and your budget-can prevent buyer's remorse. The article frames the decision as: buy now to fix a failing device, or wait for the larger Black Friday discounts on November 28 or next-gen releases.
  • iPadOS 26: New windowing, Dock upgrades, and a dedicated menu bar
    November 8, 2025, 11:24 AM EST. iPadOS 26 introduces a bold trio of productivity upgrades. The standout windowing system lets your iPad Pro run up to 12 apps on screen and resize them freely, keeping layouts consistent across launches. The Dock gets three big upgrades: it can stay visible at all times, it supports many more apps, and it now integrates folders from the Files app, making multitasking faster and more Mac-like. Finally, a new menu bar gives apps a dedicated space to surface controls and shortcuts, helping you discover power features without full-menu digging. While not a full Mac-style menu bar, this change makes iPadOS feel more capable in daily use. What features are you most excited about?