News
Russia to quit International Space Station
Russia’s space agency Roscosmos has announced it will end its participation in the International Space Station program by 2024
Roscosmos chief Yuri Borisov said that Russia would fulfil its obligations to its partners on the ISS before leaving the project.
Russia had previously said it would end its contributions to the joint multinational space endeavour until sanctions were lifted by western nations.
After 2024 Russia wants to focus on its own Russian space orbital platform.
The ISS is one of the few examples where, until now, science largely trumped geopolitics and the international condemnation of Russia and its invasion of Ukraine.
The space station is jointly run by the space agencies of Russia, the U.S., Europe, Japan and Canada.
The station has been orbiting earth since 1998 when the first piece was put in place.
Since then it’s had a human presence on board for nearly 22 years with US astronauts and Russian cosmonauts working side by side.
Earlier this month, Russia and the USA signed an agreement to allow Russian cosmonauts to travel to the station on US spacecraft and vice versa.
Dr Leroy Chiao, a former ISS commander and retired astronaut says Russia might be bluffing.
“I think this is posturing by the Russians. They don’t have the money to build their own station and it would take several years to do it. They’ve got nothing else if they go this route”
Dr Leroy Chiao, former ISS commander and retired US astronaut – to the BBC
He said in an interview with the BBC that he thinks Russia will ultimately decide not to leave the project.
The ISS is used to conduct scientific research in zero gravity and test out equipment for future space journeys.
It was designed with the deliberate intention of making US and Russian space operations on the orbital platform largely dependent on each other.
The news that Russia wants to end its collaboration with an international space program is not entirely without precedent.
The European Space Agency and Roscosmos ended their cooperation on the ExoMars Mission some weeks ago.
The ExoMars mission would have scouted for sings of life on Mars using a European rover.
News
FBI hunts assassin who shot Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University
Charlie Kirk, conservative influencer, shot dead at 31 during speech at Utah Valley University, prompting ongoing manhunt for suspect
Charlie Kirk, conservative influencer, shot dead at 31 during speech at Utah Valley University, prompting ongoing manhunt for suspect
– Federal authorities are investigating the shooting of Charlie Kirk, who was killed at Utah Valley University.
– A manhunt for the actual shooter is underway; two men have been questioned and released without charges.
During the aftermath, two men, one of whom claimed to have fired the shot, were taken into custody but later released without charges. A manhunt is ongoing for the actual shooter.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated that those responsible will be held accountable, outlining the state’s commitment to justice.
President Donald Trump condemned the political climate surrounding Kirk’s death, blaming extreme rhetoric and violence.
In a statement, he remembered Kirk as a patriot who advocated for open debate. Following the incident, vigils were held nationwide, and classes at the university have been cancelled.
Ongoing Investigation
As investigations continue, American flags will fly at half-staff until Sunday in honour of Kirk.
“I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination,” Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican, told a news conference.
“And I just want to remind people that we still have the death penalty here in the state of Utah.
The Utah Department of Public Safety said that its State Crime Lab was “working with multiple active crime scenes”.
“These were identified based on where the victim was shot, as well as the locations where the suspect and victim travelled,” a department statement said.
“The shooting is believed to be a targeted attack. The shooter is believed to have fired from the roof of a building down to the location of the public event in the student courtyard.”
Eyewitness account
Attendee Tiana Lao said the shooting came as a shock in what otherwise felt like an= normal event.
“We didn’t realise it was real at first and then everyone began rushing out, shouting to get down in panic and distress,” she told ABC News.
“People were excited. There were some opponents like there usually are at these events … but they were peaceful, so this was a total shock.”
News
Who was Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk?
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk assassinated at Utah university, leaving a significant void in U.S. conservative politics. #BreakingNews
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk assassinated at Utah university, leaving a significant void in U.S. conservative politics. #BreakingNews
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been assassinated while speaking at a Utah university, sparking shock and grief across America.
Known as the founder of Turning Point USA, Kirk became a leading voice in the MAGA movement, shaping conservative youth politics and energising Donald Trump’s base.
His sudden death leaves a major void in the U.S. conservative landscape.
#CharlieKirk #TurningPointUSA #USPolitics #BreakingNews #TickerNews
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