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  • Elon Musk says one of the “hardest engineering challenges” that exist is…

    Elon Musk says one of the “hardest engineering challenges” that exist is…

    SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has revealed one of the biggest and hardest engineering challenges the company is facing presently in the Starship rocket program. Musk said that orbital refuelling is the next major milestone for the Starship rocket, calling it “one of the hardest engineering challenges that exist.” Speaking at the X takeover event, Musk stressed on the complexity and ambition behind the SpaceX’s reusable rocket program. “I specialize in the impossible to merely late,” Musk quipped, acknowledging delays in the Starship project but reaffirming its progress.

    Elon Musk talks about the hardest engineering challenge

    SpaceX CEO further explained that the process of orbital refuelling would need two Starships to dock somewhere in the orbit and then transfer propellant. Musk also floated the idea of an orbital propellant depot to streamline future missions to the Moon and Mars.Apart from this the another major hurdle is a fully reusable orbital heat shield. Musk emphasised that no one has yet created anything of this sort. He also acknowledged that the development of a reusable orbital heat shield is very critical to make Starship economically viable.“No one has ever created a fully reusable orbital heat shield before and no one’s created a fully reusable orbital rocket before,” Musk said.Musk also reiterated that a reusable rocket and booster system can help bring down the cost below even the Falcon 1 rocket and can also revolutionise space logistics and enable commercial space travel.

    Elon Musk shares timeline of first Starship flight to Mars

    A user on X asked Musk about the timeline of Starship flight. “What’s the timeline you have set Elon? It sounds fascinating and I am glad to be alive when this is happening,” an X user named @abhiyogi asked.Responding to the post, Musk wrote, “Slight chance of Starship flight to Mars crewed by Optimus in Nov/Dec next year. A lot needs to go right for that. More likely, first flight without humans in ~3.5 years, next flight ~5.5 years with humans. Mars city self-sustaining in 20 to 30 years.”

    Reasons for the delay in Starship flight to Mars

    The new target of a crewed mission in approximately 5.5 years—around 2030—is a notable shift from previous, more optimistic predictions. It also follows recent technical hurdles, including ongoing delays in mastering orbital refuelling and the loss of Starship’s upper stage during recent flight tests. The multiple technical issues which may be the cause of the delay include: failures in upper-stage Starship landings, unproven orbital refuelling systems and heat shield durability and rocket recovery mechanism.Earlier this year, SpaceX’s Flight 9 achieved stage separation but it lost control during reentry. Musk however emphasised that mastering in-space propellant transfer is critical for deep-space travel and remains a top priority.


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  • Royal fans react to Kate Middleton, Prince William’s major decision about Harry

    Royal fans react to Kate Middleton, Prince William’s major decision about Harry

    Royal fans react to Kate Middleton, Prince William’s major decision about Harry

    Royal fans have expressed their views after an expert said it is unlikely that Prince William and Kate Middleton will accept any invitation from Prince Harry.

    Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams tells the Daily Express, William and Kate are “unlikely” to attend Prince Harry’s 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.

    Commenting on the report, one royal fan says, “Why would William and Catherine accept any of Harry’s invitations?? Harry is only after more Netflix content so he can cash in more of Netflix’s money.”

    Another said, “Harry should be banned from Invictus Games and William and Kate should be the main guests. It’s so obvious!”

    “No Royal will attend. No one wants to be tainted with the Sussex malarkey,” the third remarks.

    “The royal family doesn’t need an invitation… government is paying, it’s in UK, king’s reign… send them opening video and receive UK team in Buckingham Palace… let Meghan and Harry out of it…,” the fourth advised.

    Another said, “Why would HRH Prince of Wales go to the IG , that is Harry’s charity , he doesn’t go to the Earthshot charity or the Princess of child charity or any other charities involving the Royals.”


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  • UAE Introduces Crypto Payments for Flights with Emirates and More Airlines

    UAE Introduces Crypto Payments for Flights with Emirates and More Airlines

    TLDR

    • Emirates allows crypto payments for flights through Crypto.com starting in 2026.

    • Air Arabia accepts AE Coin, a dirham-backed stablecoin, for local crypto payments.

    • Platforms like Travala accept a variety of cryptos like BTC, ETH, USDT, and more.

    • Crypto bookings in the UAE are growing, with new partnerships set for broader acceptance.

    The UAE is becoming a leader in cryptocurrency adoption, especially in the travel sector. Airlines like Emirates and Air Arabia are integrating crypto payment options to attract tech-savvy travelers and digital nomads. As of July 2025, Emirates has partnered with Crypto.com, allowing passengers to pay for flights and in-flight services using cryptocurrencies. This partnership includes digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and stablecoins such as USDT and USDC. By integrating cryptocurrency payments, UAE airlines aim to offer more payment flexibility for travelers.

    The shift toward digital currencies comes as the UAE continues to enhance its financial ecosystem, fostering growth in digital asset adoption. The UAE government has set up initiatives like the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), which could provide more clarity and support for crypto-powered services, including flight bookings and loyalty programs.

    How to Book Flights with Cryptocurrencies

    Booking flights with cryptocurrency in the UAE is simple through supported travel platforms. Travelers can use platforms like Travala, Alternative Airlines, and Crypto.com. These platforms accept various cryptocurrencies and allow users to pay for flights using Bitcoin, Ether, or other digital currencies.

    To book a flight via cryptocurrency, travelers follow a straightforward process. First, they need to choose a crypto-friendly platform, such as Travala, and enter their flight details. After selecting the preferred flight, they proceed to the payment section, where they can choose cryptocurrency as the payment method.

    At this point, they’ll be prompted to connect their crypto wallet and authorize the transaction. Once the payment is confirmed, the traveler will receive their e-ticket. This seamless process makes it easier for crypto users to book flights while avoiding the use of traditional banking methods.

    UAE Airlines and Platforms Accepting Crypto Payments

    Several key airlines and travel agencies in the UAE now accept cryptocurrency payments. Emirates, the country’s flagship airline, is one of the most notable. Their collaboration with Crypto.com will enable passengers to pay with various digital currencies, including Bitcoin and stablecoins, by 2026. Air Arabia, another major UAE airline, accepts AE Coin, a stablecoin tied to the UAE dirham, providing local users with a more familiar digital currency option for booking flights.

    Platforms like Travala and Alternative Airlines have also gained popularity among cryptocurrency users. Travala supports multiple digital currencies, including BTC, ETH, USDT, and USDC.

    These platforms cater to global travelers and provide options for booking flights, hotels, and experiences. Alternative Airlines extends its services to over 650 global airlines, including major UAE carriers, making it a popular choice for booking flights with cryptocurrency.

    Tips for a Smooth Crypto Flight Booking Experience

    Travelers should take a few precautions to ensure a smooth experience when using cryptocurrency for flight bookings. One essential step is reviewing transaction fees and exchange rates. While cryptocurrency payments can offer benefits, like lower fees compared to traditional methods, fluctuations in digital currency values may impact the final cost.

    It is also important to ensure that the chosen platform is reliable and secure. Trusted platforms use regulated payment gateways to protect user information.

    Keeping transaction records, including receipts, blockchain IDs, and booking confirmations, is another essential step. These records serve as proof of purchase and can be helpful for any future issues, like refunds or disputes.


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  • Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’: Physicists capture Elusive Instability and Exotic Vortices

    Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’: Physicists capture Elusive Instability and Exotic Vortices

    Physicists at Osaka Metropolitan University and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have for the first time successfully observed the quantum Kelvin–Helmholtz instability (KHI) — a phenomenon predicted decades ago but never before seen in quantum fluids. The instability produces exotic vortex patterns known as eccentric fractional skyrmions, whose crescent-shaped structures bear a resemblance to the moon in Van Gogh’s masterpiece.

    KHI is a classic phenomenon in fluid dynamics, where waves and vortices form at the boundary between two fluids moving at different speeds — as seen in wind-whipped ocean waves, swirling clouds, or Van Gogh’s skies.

    “Our research began with a simple question: Can the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability happen in quantum fluids?” said Hiromitsu Takeuchi, an associate professor at Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Science, and one of lead authors of this study.

    By cooling lithium gases to near absolute zero, the researchers created a multi-component Bose–Einstein condensate — a quantum superfluid — with two streams flowing at different velocities. At their interface, a wavy fingering pattern emerged, mirroring classical turbulence but then vortices are generated, governed by the strange rules of quantum mechanics and topology.

    These vortices turned out to be eccentric fractional skyrmions, or EFSs — a newly discovered kind of topological defect.

    “Skyrmions are usually symmetrical and centered,” Takeuchi said. “But EFSs have a crescent-like shape and contain embedded singularities — points where the usual spin structure breaks down, creating sharp distortions.”

    “To me, the large crescent moon in the upper right corner of ‘The Starry Night’ looks exactly like an EFS,” Takeuchi said.

    Skyrmions, first discovered in magnetic materials, are attracting growing interest for use in spintronics and memory devices due to their stability, small size and unusual dynamics. The discovery of a new kind of skyrmion in a superfluid could have implications for both applied technologies and our understanding of quantum systems.

    Looking ahead, the team plans to refine their measurements.

    “With more precise experiments, we may be able to test 19th-century predictions about the wavelength and frequency of KHI-driven interface waves,” Takeuchi said.

    The researchers also see broader theoretical potential.

    “EFSs challenge traditional topological classifications,” Takeuchi said. “Their embedded singularities raise new questions, and we hope to explore whether similar structures arise in other multi-component or higher-dimensional systems.”

    Main Image: Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night

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  • Download Google Camera for Oppo Reno 14 (Pro) [GCam 9.4]

    Download Google Camera for Oppo Reno 14 (Pro) [GCam 9.4]

    Haneet is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of YTECHB. He has a huge passion for tinkering with latest smartphones, wearables, smart home devices, smart TVs, and more. As an avid Apple Ecosystem user, he loves customizing his iPhone and iPad to suit his needs.For tips, you can connect Haneet at haneetsingh@outlook.comIn 2019, Haneet and the YTECHB team exclusively shared the wallpapers of iPhone 11 right before the launch event. In 2020, Haneet alongside his team members shared exclusive renders and official photos of two Samsung Galaxy smartphones – the Galaxy M11, and Galaxy M21. Later, the YTECHB team leaks information about Motorola’s feature phones and Razr 3. In the last few months, our team shared Galaxy S24 Ultra leaks and more.You may come across with our work getting mentioned in The Times of India, India Today, Hindustan Times, NDTV, TechRadar, Digital Trends, Yahoo News, GSMArena, Android Authority, Android Central, Android Headlines, SamMobile, XDA, 9to5Google, and many other publications.He works across news, updates, features, guides, and more. If YTECHB writes about it, you can expect him to be involved in some way.

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  • Critical investments in bioregenerative life support systems for bioastronautics and sustainable lunar exploration

    Critical investments in bioregenerative life support systems for bioastronautics and sustainable lunar exploration

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  • Bezzecchi takes first pole since 2023 as Marquez crashes out

    Bezzecchi takes first pole since 2023 as Marquez crashes out

    Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) went from Q1 to pole position in qualifying at the bwin Grand Prix of Austria, taking his first pole with Aprilia and first since the 2023 Indian GP. Tucked in behind compatriot Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), the #72 just pipped the #63 by a tenth and a half. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) struck later to split the two and take second – with Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) sidelined from the final push for pole by a late crash.

    Q1 – BASTIANINI ATTACKS LATE TO LEAD BEZ

    With just over a couple of minutes left on the clock in Q1, it looked like Aprilia Racing’s Marco Bezzecchi and reigning Champion Jorge Martin would be the duo heading through, in that order, after a couple of moments in Friday Practice kept the two from automatic places in Q2. Enter Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3).

    The ‘Beast’ put in a late flying lap to top the session and demote Bezzecchi to second, and Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) then pipped Martin too – so Bastianini and Bezzechi joined Q2 as Marini takes P13 on the grid and Martin P14.

    Q2 – BEZZECCHI STRIKES BACK, MARQUEZ STRIKES OUT

    The yellow flags were out early as Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) crashed, rider ok, and it didn’t cause too much drama for the rest.

    The next drama was for Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). He was fourth at the time behind Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez and Bagnaia. But the #37 didn’t crash, he either had a technical issue or was low on fuel and had to get himself and the bike back. After a few pushes to get going, Acosta was able to roll back down towards the paddock, through the entrance, and drive his RC-16 in through the back door of his box. Unconventional but effective.

    As the second runs began, Bagnaia was first to set another quick lap and took over on top. But this time round Bezzecchi was right behind him and the #72 picked Pecco’s pocket to take over on top. Alex Marquez split the two before Bastianini then made a play for pole, but the #23 lost out in the final sector and slotted into fifth. Then Marc Marquez crashed.

    Down at the chicane, the #93 was perfectly ok and able to rejoin – but the push for pole looked unlikely. He did get going again but there wasn’t another fast one in the locker, and neither could anyone else improve, leaving the final threat to Acosta.

    Up in the first two sectors by a good margin, it was down to hundredths in sector three. Could he hold it to the line? He was pushing on, but a huge moment in the final sector saw a few tenths go begging, forcing him to settle for seventh.

    AUSTRIAN GP GRID

    Bezzecchi takes pole for the first time since India in 2023, with Alex Marquez looking to bounce back from Brno in second on the grid. He also, however, has a Long Lap penalty to serve. Bagnaia, undefeated at the Red Bull Ring since 2022, starts third.

    Fourth is where Marc Marquez launches from as he aims to stand on the top step in Spielberg for the first time, with Bastianini alongside in P5 and rookie Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) locking out Row 2. Acosta starts seventh ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing MotoGP), with Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) completing the top ten.

    Check out the full results from qualifying at the Red Bull Ring HERE.

    COMING UP ON SUPER SATURDAY: TISSOT SPRINT

    Aprilia haven’t won here. Bagnaia hasn’t been beaten here since he was still a rider looking for his first MotoGP World Championship. Marc Marquez has always been beaten here. There’s plenty on the line in Spielberg and the points are first in play at 15:00 (UTC +2), so don’t miss it!

     

    Marc Marquez, Ducati Lenovo Team, BWIN Grand Prix of Austria

    Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing, BWIN Grand Prix of Austria

    Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Lenovo Team, BWIN Grand Prix of Austria

    Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Lenovo Team, BWIN Grand Prix of Austria

    Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing, BWIN Grand Prix of Austria

    Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing, BWIN Grand Prix of Austria

    Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing, BWIN Grand Prix of Austria

    Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing, BWIN Grand Prix of Austria

    Alex Marquez, BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP™, BWIN Grand Prix of Austria

    Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing, BWIN Grand Prix of Austria

    Marco Bezzecchi, Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing, BWIN Grand Prix of Austria

    Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Lenovo Team, BWIN Grand Prix of Austria

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  • Gear News of the Week: A New Privacy Phone Arrives, and Samsung Has a $30K 115-Inch Micro RGB TV – WIRED

    Gear News of the Week: A New Privacy Phone Arrives, and Samsung Has a $30K 115-Inch Micro RGB TV – WIRED

    1. Gear News of the Week: A New Privacy Phone Arrives, and Samsung Has a $30K 115-Inch Micro RGB TV  WIRED
    2. Privacy-focused smartphone maker Unplugged to start US assembly in Nevada  MSN
    3. Unplugged Relaunches UP Phone under New CEO with a Powerful Privacy System and All-New Experience  WV News
    4. “They’re building it here, not hiking the price”: Unplugged’s UP Phone Aims to Be Affordable, Private, and Assembled in the U.S.  Rude Baguette
    5. Blackwater’s founder would like to sell you a privacy phone made in the USA  The Verge

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  • The iPhone 17’s Screen Could Get a Long-Awaited Feature You’ll Notice Every Day

    The iPhone 17’s Screen Could Get a Long-Awaited Feature You’ll Notice Every Day

    We are likely just weeks away from Apple’s iPhone 17 event. While an official release date hasn’t been announced, the company typically holds the event in early September. As we get closer to the big day, rumors and leaks about the iPhone 17 are pouring in. We’ve seen reports of a new selfie camera, faster MagSafe charging and a new purple (or green) color.

    But when the iPhone 16 debuted, there was criticism aimed at its screen. The phone starts at $829 and still has a 60Hz display, despite most phones from competitors having high-refresh-rate screens topping off at 90Hz or 120Hz, which gives a smoother scrolling effect that just looks premium. Given that Pro models have had higher screen refresh rates for years, it’s been frustrating to see Apple not bring the feature to lower-end models.

    At a time when Apple is under pressure from a US Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit; facing criticism from shareholders and media about being “behind in the AI race” with Apple Intelligence; and dealing with threats from President Donald Trump about adding a tariff to the iPhone if manufacturing isn’t relocated to the US, the company’s next iPhone launch will be a pivotal moment. 

    The burden is on Apple to deliver an exciting iPhone 17 lineup that includes big changes to the iPhone Pro models as well as a new iPhone Air version. But the “regular” base iPhone is due for some TLC, especially its display. Fortunately, there are three rumors circulating that point to the iPhone 17’s screen coming with a sizable update. Taken together, they suggest the screen on the iPhone 17 could be one of the largest updates to a base iPhone display in a long time.

    Apple hasn’t announced anything yet or confirmed any of these rumors. And we won’t know what’s what for certain until the next iPhone is officially released. For more leaks, check out CNET’s iPhone 17 rumor roundup.

    The iPhone 17’s high-refresh-rate display (120Hz)

    Someone playing a game on the Razer Phone

    The Razer Phone had a screen that was ideal for gaming and that ended up being the de facto standard on most phones today.

    Josh Miller/CNET

    In 2018, the Razer Phone debuted with the first-ever high-refresh-rate display. Other phones at the time had screens locked at a static 60Hz. The Razer Phone was aimed at gamers, and having a screen with a high refresh rate made gameplay look more immersive. It also made mundane things, like system animations or scrolling a social or news feed, look smooth and dynamic.

    In 2025, nearly every major phone, including cheap ones costing less than $300, has a 90Hz or 120Hz screen — well, except the iPhone. Apple first added Pro Motion displays (its name for a high-refresh-rate screen) in 2021, to the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. But non-Pro models still have a static 60Hz display to this day. That should change soon.

    The iPhone 17 will have a high-refresh-rate screen, according to a report from 9to5Mac. The story cites an X post from Young that’s since been taken down. It’s unclear if the screen will be identical to the one on the iPhone 16 Pro or if it’ll be something different. But if the iPhone 17 gets an LTPO screen with an adaptive refresh rate (with 1 to 120Hz), that could also mean the “regular” base iPhone 17 will get support for an always-on display. That latter feature debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, and is absent from the base iPhone 15 and iPhone 16.

    The iPhone 17’s 6.3-inch display

    Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max

    The iPhone 16 Pro has a 6.3-inch display.

    James Martin/CNET

    The regular iPhone, dating back to the iPhone 12, has had a 6.1-inch screen. The iPhone 16 has one despite the iPhone 16 Pro rocking a 6.3-inch display. But the iPhone 17 will get a similar 6.3-inch display, according to a post on X from supply-chain analyst Ross Young. This is bad news for small-phone fans, though 6.1 inches was already well beyond the 5.4-inch screen found on the iPhone 12 Mini and 13 Mini.

    If the increased screen real estate comes from shrinking the bezels around the display, like Apple did with the iPhone 16 Pro, it should mean that the iPhone 17 itself will be relatively the same size as the iPhone 16.

    The iPhone 17’s new Ceramic Shield

    An iPhone 15 Pro Max next to an iPhone 16 Pro

    Both photos were taken after seven months of use. The scratches on the iPhone 15 Pro Max (left) really show on the display. The iPhone 16 Pro has a few scratches but has held up much better.

    Celso Bulgatti/CNET

    One of the sleeper additions on the iPhone 16 Pro was that it got an updated Ceramic Shield (the 16 and 16 Plus didn’t). Just as a reminder, Ceramic Shield isn’t just glass in that it’s composed of nano ceramic crystals embedded in a glass matrix. In my long-term review for the 16 Pro, I found that the updated Ceramic Shield was nearly unscathed after seven months of use, especially compared with my iPhone 15 Pro Max, which had the original version of Ceramic Shield and was covered in scratches after the same amount of time.

    The iPhone 17 could get a more scratch resistant display, according to a post from Weibo user Instant Digital. It sounds like this might be different from Ceramic Shield in that it could also have an antireflective coating, similar to the one on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. MacRumors first reported on the rumor and also hedged it, saying the new coating may’ve been scrapped because it proved too complicated to apply at scale.

    I doubt the iPhone 17 will get an antireflective screen, but I’d love if it did. I can still hope, though, that its screen comes with a more durable display.


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  • Brooklyn Beckham breaks silence after Nicola Peltz blamed for snubbing David, Victoria

    Brooklyn Beckham breaks silence after Nicola Peltz blamed for snubbing David, Victoria

    Brooklyn Beckham defends Nicola Peltz after family feud explodes

    Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz’s longstanding feud with David Beckham and Victoria continues.

    However, the tensions have intensified after the young couple’s decision to reportedly not invite Brooklyn’s parents in their vow renewal ceremony.

    Now, insiders have claimed that Brooklyn is heartbroken as his wife Nicola is being painted as “viper” within their family feud.

    An insider told The Mirror, “It’s so rooted in misogyny that all of the heat for his parents not being invited is on Nicola.”

    “Everyone seems to forget that Brooklyn is an adult man and fully capable of speaking out. Nicola would have respected all that he chose,” the source added.

    They went on to add, “It breaks Brooklyn’s heart to see his wife being painted as this vixen and viper.”

    It is worth mentioning that Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz renewed their vows in an intimate ceremony on August 2, 2025.

    While the actress and filmmaker’s family attended the ceremony, David Beckham and Victoria were notably absent.

    Later, sources claimed that the famous Hollywood couple was heartbroken after the snub.

    “She found out about the vow renewal through the press, just like everyone else, and it was like a punch to the stomach,” the source told Closer Magazine of Victoria.


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