India's private space sector is poised for a significant advancement this Saturday. Skyroot Aerospace will launch the Vikram-1, its first orbital-class rocket. This historic mission, named Mission Aagaman, will lift off from Sriharikota. The rocket carries technology demonstration payloads and unique artwork into space. This launch marks a major milestone for India's burgeoning private space industry.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday announced a "drone deal" with Ukraine to boost joint production of the key battlefield technology. Ukraine has already signed similar deals with some individual EU countries and Gulf nations looking to tap into the expertise Kyiv has developed during more than four years of war with Russia. FRANCE 24's EU correspondent Dave Keating has more.

US stock markets saw gains on Wednesday, driven by strong corporate earnings reports. Investors also reacted positively to recent inflation data, which showed a notable slowdown. This easing inflation reduced expectations for an imminent interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve. However, ongoing Middle East tensions kept global energy supply concerns elevated. Asian and European markets also posted gains, with technology shares leading the advance.

The India-UK trade deal commenced, reflecting significant trust and cooperation between nations. This agreement is expected to boost both economies and enhance bilateral trade relations. Discussions also addressed national security and the extradition of financial fugitives. The pact aims to strengthen ties in defense, technology, and climate initiatives. Both countries anticipate increased GDP and financial trade following this landmark agreement.

Microsoft and other tech giants are implementing frequent workforce reductions. These companies are simultaneously increasing investments in artificial intelligence technology. Many firms are reorganizing operations to adapt to the evolving technological landscape. This trend reflects a broader industry shift towards continuous workforce adjustments. Employees face uncertainty as businesses navigate AI integration and productivity demands.

Ocado Group Plc Chief Executive Officer Tim Steiner said he remains committed to leading the British grocery delivery company, as it announced another weak performance from its key technology division.

Microsoft President Brad Smith criticizes the US government's recent AI model crackdowns. He stated the administration regulated advanced technology without necessary transparency or proper rules. The Commerce Department initially restricted Anthropic and OpenAI AI models citing cybersecurity risks. While the government's concern was legitimate, Smith argued the approach lacked appropriate regulatory tools. He hopes for a more balanced and effective future regulatory conversation.

Wei Junqing, CEO at Chinese autonomous freight technology firm KargoBot, says he expects the company to be profitable in around two and a half years. He speaks exclusively on "Bloomberg: The China Show." (Source: Bloomberg)

MiniMax Group Inc. is joining a rush by Chinese technology companies to tap markets for funding aimed at the artificial intelligence buildout, looking to raise as much as $2 billion from selling new shares and convertible bonds.

<p>Staggered release of ChatGPT 5.6 follows similar restrictions on rival firm Anthropic’s latest AI models</p><p>OpenAI released its latest advanced AI model, called <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/chatgpt">ChatGPT</a> 5.6, on Thursday after earlier delaying the public rollout over US government concerns about cybersecurity. The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/trump-administration">Trump administration</a> had requested last month that <a href="https://www.theguar