Around The world

GT keeps the newswire ticking by bringing you news from around the globe

USA
RoboDoc

Google and NASA have jointly developed the ‘Crew Medical Officer Digital Assistant,’ an AI-powered system designed to support astronauts in managing health issues during extended missions to Mars and the Moon. Early trials indicate the system delivers reliable medical guidance, with ongoing refinement aided by medical professionals. Beyond space exploration, the technology holds promise for deployment in remote and inaccessible regions on Earth.

UK
Delulu in dictionaries

Cambridge Dictionary has added over 6,000 new entries, many from Gen Alpha’s digital slang. Terms such as ‘skibidi,’ and ‘delulu’ reflect evolving linguistic landscape shaped by social media platforms like TikTok. Lexicographers note this surge in youth-driven expressions mark a shift from ephemeral slang to enduring vocabulary. Raised in a media-saturated environment, Gen Alpha and Gen Z increasingly influence mainstream English. Experts suggest these additions signify a broader cultural integration of internet-born lingo technology, and identity in contemporary society.

INDIA
India’s Agni power

India successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable Agni-V missile from Odisha’s Chandipur on August 20, marking a major leap in its strategic deterrence. The indigenously produced ballistic missile has a strike range of over 5,000 km, covering nearly the entirety of Asia, including northern China, as well as parts of Europe – making it a key component of India’s regional security. Advanced navigation and new-age Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology allows
Agni 5 to strike several targets with a single launch.

SWEDEN
Kiruna Church relocated

The historic Kiruna Church, constructed in 1912, is being relocated 5 kilometres across the city on August 19 due to structural risks caused by over a century of iron ore mining beneath the old city centre. The move, expected to span two days, will proceed at a pace of 500 meters per hour using a specialised wheeled transport system. Locals have dubbed the event ‘slow TV,’ reflecting its steady progress.

SWITZERLAND
Plasticalypse

International negotiations to combat plastic pollution have once again ended without resolution, as delegates remain divided over production limits versus recycling strategies. The talks, held in Geneva, failed to yield a consensus, with each proposal criticised as impractical. The impasse comes amid alarming growth in global plastic output - from two million tonnes in 1950 to nearly 475 million tonnes in 2022.

INDONESIA
Historical amnesia

The government has postponed the release of a revised 10-volume ‘official history’ series following widespread public criticism. Historians warn the project may omit or distort key episodes, including the 1965 - 66 anti-communist massacres and the 1998 anti-Chinese riots. In response, young Indonesians have adopted pop-culture symbols -such as the pirate flag from One Piece - to defend historical transparency.

CHINA
Metal and muscle

The first-ever World Humanoid Robot Games was inaugurated in Beijing, featuring over 500 robots from 16 countries competing in events including football, sprinting, kickboxing, and obstacle races. This marks a significant milestone in robotics and AI innovation. Despite technical setbacks like collapses and reliance on human intervention, the competition highlights China’s strategic commitment to advancing AI capabilities.

►THAILAND: Government initiates crypto-to-baht conversion for tourists  ►NORTH KOREA: Kim Jong Un hankers rapid nuclear progression  ►JAPAN: Defence Minister discusses defence drones with Turkey