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Today, Russia made history with the successful launch of its heavy-lift rocket, Angara A5, from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur region. This is a significant milestone for Russia’s space program as it seeks to modernize and keep pace with the rest of the world.

The Angara A5 rocket stands at an impressive 179 feet tall and weighs over 4 million pounds. It was first launched in December 2014, and today’s launch marks its fourth flight. The mission was a success, with the rocket delivering a test payload to low Earth orbit as planned.

The Angara A5 is an important addition to Russia’s space program, as it is designed to replace the long-used Proton M rocket. The Proton M has been in use since the 1960s and is nearing the end of its life cycle. The Angara A5 is a more modern and environmentally friendly alternative, using non-toxic fuel components.

This launch is a significant step towards kickstarting “flight development tests of the Amur space rocket complex with Angara heavy-class launch vehicles at Vostochny,” according to Roscosmos, the Russian space agency. The Angara A5 is pivotal in replacing the Proton M and solidifying Russia’s place in the global space race.

The rocket is built entirely from Russian components and can lift 23 metric tons to low Earth orbit and 5.4 metric tons to geosynchronous Earth orbit. The second stage, called Orion, separated from the first stage 12 minutes into today’s mission, followed by the third stage reaching its target orbit and releasing its payload.

This launch is not just significant for Russia but also for the global space industry. As the International Space Station (ISS) is set to retire in 2030, the Angara A5 is expected to play a pivotal role in delivering modules for Russia’s upcoming space station.

The success of today’s launch marks an important step forward for Russia’s space program and cements its place in the global space race. With the retirement of the Proton M and the introduction of the Angara A5, Russia is poised to take a leading role in space exploration and development.

For more information on spaceflight and the latest launches, be sure to follow us on X and bookmark Gizmodo’s dedicated Spaceflight page for all the latest updates.

The X-Men franchise has been making waves in the world of comics and now, it seems, in the world of movies and television as well. With the recent announcements of upcoming projects such as Deadpool & Wolverine and X-Men ’97, fans are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the mutant saga. But, let’s not forget about one of the greatest runs on X-Men in the book’s long history – Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s New X-Men.

New X-Men, which ran from mid-2001 to the end of 2003, added much to the legacy of Marvel mutantdom. The series explored unique aspects of mutant culture, codified the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning as an actual educational facility, and introduced one of the most chilling mutant antagonists in the X-Men’s entire history – Cassandra Nova.

Cassandra Nova, a parasitic, bodiless psionic reflection of Charles Xavier, is a villain that wins. She manipulates the descendant of Bolivar Trask to activate the Wild Sentinels that would enact the Genoshan Genocide, slaughtering 16 million mutants. Her impact is immediate and horrifying, and the ramifications of her actions are still being dealt with in recent comics.

Cassandra Nova represents the kind of ultimate foe that tests every aspect and legacy of the Xavier dream. She is an unstoppable, vindictive force who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Even without her personal link to Charles, Cassandra Nova shadows the rest of the series, pressing on not just Charles but all of the X-Men – and even further beyond.

The impact of New X-Men and Cassandra Nova cannot be overstated. The series explored the destruction of Genosha, brought an end to the first attempt at mutant statehood, and introduced secondary mutation. It also asked how far Charles’ beliefs can go in a modern, scared world and confronted with acts of horror so profoundly devastating they warrant a response in kind.

With Marvel Studios making its way back into the world of the mutants, it will be interesting to see how they handle Cassandra Nova and the legacy of New X-Men. Will we see her in Deadpool & Wolverine or X-Men ’97? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain – the impact of New X-Men and Cassandra Nova on the X-Men franchise will be felt for a long time to come.

Western Digital’s Upcoming 4TB SD Card: A Game-Changer for Professional Creators?

In a move that could revolutionize the world of digital media, Western Digital has announced plans to release a 4TB SD card next year. The news was revealed in a statement released on Thursday, and it has generated significant excitement among professional creators who rely on high-capacity storage solutions.

The new SD card, which will be marketed under Western Digital’s SanDisk brand, is expected to be showcased at the National Association of Broadcasters’ annual event next week in Las Vegas. The event is a premier platform for broadcast and media professionals, making it an ideal setting for the unveiling of this cutting-edge storage solution.

The 4TB SD card will use the Ultra High Speed-1 (UHS-1) bus interface, supporting maximum theoretical transfer rates of up to 104MB per second. It will also feature minimum write speeds of 10 MB/s and minimum sequential write speeds of 30MB/s, making it an ideal choice for storage-hungry video formats like 8K.

The announcement comes six years after the SD Association, which sets standards for SD cards, announced the Secure Digital Ultra Capacity (SDUC) standard that bumped the max possible capacity for SD cards from 2TB to 128TB. While 4TB may not seem like a significant jump from the current highest capacity of 1TB, it represents a substantial increase in storage potential and paves the way for even higher capacities in the future.

However, Western Digital’s announcement also comes at a time when SanDisk’s reputation for reliable storage is being questioned by professional and long-time customers. There have been multiple lawsuits about SanDisk Extreme portable SSDs reportedly failing unexpectedly, which could cause some professionals to hesitate before adopting the new 4TB SD card.

Despite these concerns, the 4TB SD card represents an exciting development for professionals working with high-resolution video and other demanding media formats. With its advanced capabilities and targeted audience, it is likely to have premium pricing, but the increased storage potential could open up new creative possibilities and make working with high-res media easier.

As the industry inches closer to the maximum potential of SD cards, Western Digital’s announcement signals a promising future for digital media professionals. While 8K content may still be far from mainstream, having more technology at their disposal could make it easier to work with high-res media and create new possibilities.

In conclusion, the upcoming release of the 4TB SD card represents a significant step forward in storage technology and could have a profound impact on the world of digital media. While concerns about SanDisk’s reliability may cause some professionals to hesitate, the potential benefits of this new storage solution cannot be ignored. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how this technology shapes the future of media creation and consumption.

Zero-Day Vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks Firewalls Under Active Exploitation

Security researchers have discovered a highly dangerous zero-day vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks firewalls that has been under active exploitation for the last two weeks. The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-3400, allows hackers to gain root privileges on affected devices with no authentication required, making it a highly critical issue.

The zero-day vulnerability affects PAN-OS 10.2, PAN-OS 11.0, and/or PAN-OS 11.1 firewalls when they are configured to use both the GlobalProtect gateway and device telemetry. Palo Alto Networks has yet to patch the vulnerability but is urging affected customers to follow a workaround and mitigation guidance provided by the company.

The vulnerability was discovered by Volexity, a security firm that found evidence of ongoing attacks targeting firewalls, VPNs, and file-transfer appliances. These devices are popular targets due to their wealth of vulnerabilities and direct pipeline into the most sensitive parts of a network. The zero-day is being actively exploited by a single threat group tracked as UTA0218, but Volexity warns that other groups may also discover the vulnerability and begin exploiting it soon.

The attacks were first observed on March 26, with the attackers placing zero-byte files on firewall devices to validate exploitability. On April 7, the researchers observed the group attempting to install a backdoor on a customer’s firewall, and three days later, the group successfully deployed malicious payloads. The backdoor allows the attackers to use specially crafted network requests to execute additional commands on hacked devices.

Volexity warns that as with previous public disclosures of vulnerabilities in these kinds of devices, a spike in exploitation is likely to be observed over the next few days by UTA0218 and potentially other threat actors who may develop exploits for this vulnerability. It is therefore imperative that organizations act quickly to deploy recommended mitigations and perform compromise reviews of their devices to check whether further internal investigation of their networks is required.

To mitigate the vulnerability, Palo Alto Networks recommends enabling Threat ID 95187 for those with subscriptions to the company’s Threat Prevention service and ensuring vulnerability protection has been applied to their GlobalProtect interface. Additionally, customers should temporarily disable telemetry until a patch is available.

In conclusion, the zero-day vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks firewalls under active exploitation highlights the importance of staying vigilant against cyber threats. Organizations must prioritize patching and mitigation to protect their networks from highly capable hackers and nation-state backed attacks. With the likelihood of mass exploitation looming, prompt action is essential to prevent internal investigation of their networks and potential data breaches.

Benj Edwards, AI news writer, discusses the latest developments in the field of large language models (LLMs). Three notable LLM releases occurred within a 24-hour period starting on Tuesday, April 12th, 2024. Google released Gemini 1.5 Pro, OpenAI released GPT-4 Turbo, and Mistral released Mixtral 8x22B. These models have various features such as native audio input processing, multimodal capabilities, and improved writing and math abilities. The launches were met with excitement and confusion, with some people reporting improvements in capabilities and others expressing frustration with the vague nature of the announcements. The article also mentions other AI news, including the rising performance of open-source models like Cohere’s Command R+ and the fierce competition among LLMs.

The writer notes that this week has seen a whirlwind of activity in the LLM field, with several models competing with GPT-4 for leadership. The article concludes by highlighting the rumored release of GPT-5 later this year, which could potentially restore OpenAI’s technological lead.

Overall, the article provides an overview of the recent developments in the LLM field and highlights the excitement and competition surrounding these models.

According to recent reports, a prominent transplant surgeon in Texas is under investigation for falsifying patient data in a government transplant waiting list. The surgeon, identified as Dr. Steve Bynon, oversaw both the liver and kidney transplant programs at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.

The hospital halted its liver transplant program on April 3 after finding “irregularities” with donor acceptance criteria, which may have prevented patients from receiving lifesaving liver transplants. The hospital also halted its kidney transplant program, citing the need to evaluate a new physician leadership structure.

According to media reports and hospital statements, Bynon allegedly changed patient records to make it appear as though certain patients were not eligible for transplants. These changes may have been made to prevent his own patients from receiving transplants, which could have resulted in their deaths or poor outcomes.

Officials at Memorial Hermann told the New York Times that a doctor in its liver transplant program had admitted to changing patient records, and that doctor was identified as Bynon. However, when reporters for the Times reached Bynon by phone, he did not confirm the allegations and referred further questions to UTHealth Houston, where he is also a surgical transplant director.

In response to the allegations, UTHealth Houston released a statement defending Bynon, saying that he is “an exceptionally talented and caring physician” with survival rates and outcomes for his transplant patients that are among the best in the country. However, officials at Memorial Hermann told the Times that the data allegedly manipulated involved criteria for organ donors, which were set to impossible conditions such as a patient only accepting organs from a toddler who weighed 300 pounds.

The allegations have raised questions about what motivated Bynon to alter the data and whether other patients may have been affected. The hospital has not addressed when its transplant programs will resume, but it is working to “make the necessary changes that will allow for the quick reactivation of the kidney transplant program under a different physician leadership structure.”

The case highlights the importance of ethical behavior in the medical field and the potential consequences of falsifying patient data. It also underscores the need for transparency and accountability in ensuring that patients receive the best possible care and outcomes.

Epic Games’ Proposed Injunction Against Google: A Bold Move to Open Up Android App Distribution

In a bold move to open up the Android app distribution market, Epic Games has filed a proposed injunction against Google, seeking to limit the tech giant’s control over the Android app ecosystem. The proposal, if accepted by the court, would greatly benefit both mobile developers and users, according to Epic’s argument.

Background on the Legal Dispute

Epic Games filed a lawsuit against Google in 2020, alleging that the search giant had an illegal monopoly in the market for Android app distribution. In December 2023, a jury found in favor of Epic, ruling that Google had violated antitrust laws by requiring developers to use its Play Store and payment processing systems. Google agreed to pay $700 million in settlements to consumers and states, but the legal battle is far from over.

Proposed Injunction: A Bold Move to Open Up Android App Distribution

Epic’s proposed injunction aims to open up the Android app distribution market by requiring Google to grant equal access to the Android operating system and platform features to all developers, not just those distributing apps through the Google Play Store. This would allow third-party app stores to become the app update owner, updating any apps downloaded from their stores as seamlessly as Google Play updates apps.

Under Epic’s terms, any app downloaded from anywhere would operate identically to apps downloaded from Google Play, without Google imposing any unnecessary distribution fees. Developers would also be able to provide their own in-app purchasing options and inform users of out-of-app purchasing options, without having to use Google’s APIs or paying additional fees.

Anti-Retaliation Measures: Protecting Epic from Further Retaliation

The proposed injunction includes an “anti-retaliation” section specifically aimed at protecting Epic from any further retaliation by Google. If Donato accepts the terms, Google would be violating the injunction order if it fails to prove that it is not treating Epic differently than other developers by making it disproportionately difficult or costly for Epic to develop, update, and market its apps on Android.

Impact on iOS and Android: A Multi-Platform Store for Games

Epic’s proposed injunction comes at an interesting time, as the company recently announced plans to launch an Epic Games Store on iOS and Android later this year. According to Inc, Epic told Game Developers Conference attendees that its app-distribution platform will be the “first ever game-focused, multiplatform store,” working across Android, iOS, PC, and macOS.

If Donato accepts the proposed injunction, it could have significant implications for the future of mobile app distribution and the gaming industry as a whole. By opening up the Android app distribution market, Epic’s proposal could lead to increased competition, more choices for consumers, and better terms for developers. Only time will tell if the court will accept Epic’s proposal, but one thing is certain: this bold move by Epic Games is a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between the two tech giants.

As technology advances, the world is producing more and more electronic waste (e-waste), and recycling it has become a growing concern. While most people imagine electronics recycling as a straightforward process, the reality is much more complex. In fact, less than 20% of e-waste actually makes it to recycling facilities, with the rest ending up in shredders for raw metal extraction. However, one company, Garner Products, has developed a machine called the DiskMantler that can process 500 hard drives per day and separate them into useful components.

The DiskMantler uses shock, harmonics, and vibration to shake hard drives apart, leaving circuit boards, drive assemblies, actuators, and rare-earth magnets intact. This process was made possible by the work of German scientist Gerhard Junker, who explored the power of vibrations to loosen screws and fasteners. The device was originally designed to extract circuit boards from hard drives with proprietary screw heads, but it can now handle any type of hard drive.

The potential for rare-earth magnet recycling is particularly exciting. Most rare-earth magnet recycling involves breaking them down into rare earth elements and reinserted into the magnet production stream, which is energy-intensive and not very cost-effective. However, HyProMag, a Canadian firm, is using robotics to find and extract hard drive permanent magnets, creating new sources that don’t require extraction and aren’t as globally concentrated.

The technology is still developing, but it’s clear that the future of electronics recycling will involve more sophisticated methods of recovering valuable materials from discarded devices. As the world produces more e-waste, finding innovative solutions to recycle and reuse these materials will become increasingly important for sustainability and environmental protection.

In conclusion, while traditional hard drives may seem like a small, insignificant piece of e-waste, they are in fact a valuable resource that can be recovered and reused in innovative ways. The DiskMantler and HyProMag technologies offer promising solutions for the future of electronics recycling and could potentially lead to more sustainable practices throughout the industry. As technology continues to evolve, it’s important to consider the environmental impact of our actions and find ways to minimize waste and maximize resource recovery.

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SpaceX is redefining what is routine in the space industry with its rapid-fire launch rate. The company has been launching rockets almost every day, and this pace means that SpaceX is continually breaking records, mostly its own. On Friday night, the company will break another one of those records when it launches a Falcon 9 rocket for the 20th time. This particular rocket, designated B1062, has flown 19 times since its first flight in November 2020, making it the first in SpaceX’s inventory to go for a 20th flight.

The Falcon 9 rocket will carry 23 more Starlink Internet satellites into orbit, bringing the total number of spacecraft in low-Earth orbit to over 5,800. The launch is scheduled to take place at 9:22 pm EDT on Friday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Forecasters from the US Space Force predict excellent weather for the primetime launch.

This milestone mission will see the Falcon 9 rocket blaze a familiar trail into space, following the same profile as dozens of past Starlink missions. The first-stage booster will shut off its nine kerosene-fueled Merlin engines about two-and-a-half minutes into the flight, reaching a top speed of over 5,000 mph. The first stage will detach from the Falcon 9’s upper stage, which will continue firing into orbit. The rocket’s first stage will then follow an arcing trajectory before braking for a vertical landing on a drone ship floating in the Atlantic Ocean near the Bahamas.

This launch will be the sixth Falcon 9 launch in less than eight days, more flights than SpaceX’s main US rival, United Launch Alliance, has launched in 17 months. It will also be the 38th Falcon 9 launch of the year and the 111th flight of a Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy rocket—the 114th launch by SpaceX overall—in the last 365 days. More than a third of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy missions, a number that will stand at 332 after Friday night’s flight, have launched in the past year.

SpaceX has been able to achieve such a rapid launch rate due to its ability to quickly refurbish and reuse its rockets. This particular rocket, B1062, has not undergone any extended maintenance or long-term grounding. It has flown an average of once every two months since debuting three-and-a-half years ago. So the 20-flight milestone SpaceX will achieve Friday night means this rocket has doubled its original design life and continues to prove that reusable rockets are a viable option for space exploration.

In addition to breaking records, SpaceX is also pushing the boundaries of technology with its drone ships. The company uses two drone ships based in Florida and one in California to catch its Falcon 9 rockets after launch. In order to meet the appetite for Falcon 9 flights, SpaceX is getting rockets back to port and re-deploying drone ships back to sea at a faster rate.

Overall, SpaceX’s rapid launch rate and ability to reuse its rockets are changing the game when it comes to space exploration. The company’s commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of technology is making strides in the industry and setting new standards for what is possible.

Google One VPN Shutting Down: Another Dead Product from the Tech Giant

In another blow to its already struggling reputation, Google has announced the shutdown of its Google One VPN service. The news comes just a week after we complained about the lackluster service, and it seems that not many people were using it either, as Google cites “low usage” as the reason for the shutdown.

The Google One VPN was launched in 2020 as a bonus feature for paying Google One subscribers. It offered a flexible and widely supported platform, with clients available for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. However, with its shutdown, Google will be ending VPN support for Windows and Mac, leaving only the Pixel and Fi VPNs, which are exclusive to their respective platforms.

According to a statement from a Google spokesperson, the shutdown is due to “low usage,” and the Windows client was also known to be super buggy. It’s easier for Google to shut down the service rather than investing time and resources into fixing these issues. The shutdown is expected to happen later in 2024, but there is no specific date set yet.

This latest move by Google only adds to their growing list of dead products, which include the Google Plus social network, the Google Allo messaging app, and the Google Hangouts video conferencing tool. It seems that Google is struggling to keep up with the ever-changing technology landscape and is constantly reevaluating its offerings.

The shutdown of the Google One VPN represents a significant loss for users who relied on the service for their online privacy and security. The Pixel and Fi VPNs may continue to run, but it’s unclear how long they will be supported or if they too will eventually be discontinued.

In conclusion, Google’s decision to shut down the Google One VPN is a disappointing one, especially for those who were hoping for a more comprehensive and widely supported VPN service from the tech giant. With its demise, users must now look elsewhere for their online privacy and security needs.