It's issue #246 of DNT Weekly and as per usual the week has been eventful. Here's what we've been reading of late.
As Boom breaks the sound barrier, founder Blake Scholl says supersonic travel is around the corner. - Read more about it here.
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China's DeepSeek AI on US national security radar
The White House is looking into whether China's apparent AI breakthrough affects US national security.
Alibaba releases AI model it says surpasses DeepSeek
Chinese tech company Alibaba (9988.HK), opens new tab on Wednesday released a new version of its Qwen 2.5 artificial intelligence model that it claimed surpassed the highly-acclaimed DeepSeek-V3.
China’s DeepSeek faces scrutiny over bold claims after upending global tech
Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey are among tech leaders to cast doubts on the Chinese startup’s claimed budget and chip use.
NASA to preview sky-mapping space telescope ahead of launch
NASA will host a news conference at 12 p.m. EST Friday, Jan. 31, to discuss a new telescope that will improve our understanding of how the universe evolved and search for key ingredients for life in our galaxy.
India successfully conducts historic space-docking test
The technology is essential for the country's future ambition to build an Indian space station and put a person on the Moon.
Chinese launch startup secures early funding for fully reusable rocket plan
One of China’s latest commercial launch companies has secured early funding as it aims to develop a launcher featuring first and second stage reuse.
✨ Product find of the week
TabBoo - Add random jumpscares to sites you're trying to avoid
A Chrome extension designed to help users break addictive browsing habits. By adding random jumpscares to websites they frequently visit, it uses a technique called aversive conditioning to help avoid endlessly loading the same sites.
📰 In other news
“TikTok refugees” drove a global Xiaohongshu boom
Italy sends first data watchdog request to DeepSeek: ‘The data of millions of Italians is at risk’
The secret sauce of Chinese social media apps
Sunita Williams, stuck in space for 237 days, tried to 'remember what it is like to walk'
Special mentions this week
Why is Netflix betting big on WWE LIVE events?
Google pushes global agenda to educate workers, lawmakers on AI
Trump's 'Gulf of America' Order Has Mapmakers Completely Lost
And that's the lot! Thanks for checking out what we had to share with you this week, we shall catch up with you next Wednesday. Incase you aren't subscribed to the newsletter, you could subscribe here.
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