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Launch costs disparity SpaceX has also made significant gains in controlling costs compared to other nations. A decade ago, the United States and Europe had similar launch costs. Today, according to publicly available data, launch costs in Europe are now three times higher than for comparable payloads in the United States. The researchers estimate that the average cost of sending a kilogram of payload to orbit in the United States is now $3,225, compared to higher costs elsewhere: Japan ($5,287), China ($5,809), Russia ($6,682), and Europe ($9,897). India is higher still at nearly $15,000 a kilogram. Average cost per kg…

Here’s a look back at previous by-elections in the east of England.The Mid Bedfordshire by-election in 2023, won by Labour, drew attention to the lack of infrastructure on new housing developments and the Corby by-election of 2012 put the future of Kettering Hospital into the spotlight.Was it any coincidence that after the Wellingborough by-election in 2024, which thrust the issue of “left-behind communities” into the spotlight, the town became one of the first places to receive Labour’s “Pride in Place” funding?When Clacton’s last by-election took place in 2014, it was triggered when the sitting MP Douglas Carswell quit the Conservatives…

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Friday began offering free hydrocele surgeries to affected residents across the six Area Councils. Teresa Nwachukwu, Director of the FCT Public Health Department, stated that the intervention would enable access to surgical care for those unable to afford treatment. Nwachukwu, represented by Ngozi Ebisike, Head of the Disease Control Division, spoke at the flag-off ceremony at Kubwa General Hospital. She said hydrocele, although medically treatable, could affect mobility, productivity, family life, self-esteem, and social participation. According to her, some patients live with the condition for years, enduring pain, discomfort, stigma, and embarrassment, while…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials arrived at 78 per cent of the 300 polling units being observed by Yiaga Africa in the Osun State governorship election by 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. Yiaga, through its Watching the Vote (WTV) Working Group, said its observers reported the arrival of INEC officials at 251 of the 300 polling units being monitored for the Osun State governorship election. “By 8:30 a.m., INEC officials had arrived at 78% of the 300 polling units where our #WatchingTheVote observers are reporting from,” the organisation said in a statement shared on Saturday. The organisation said the…

Just days from making the first defense of his welterweight championship at UFC 330, one shadow, that of Khabib Nurmagomedov, continues to hang over Islam Makhachev’s career in the mind of many MMA fans.On Saturday, Makhachev will defend the welterweight title he won from Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 against rising contender Ian Machado Garry. Prior to becoming welterweight champion, Makhachev held the lightweight championship, winning the title at UFC 280 and making four successful defenses of the belt.Makhachev trained under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, father of Khabib, and has credited the father and son for helping “make him,” with Abdulmanap…

If there is a note of frustration in her, it surfaces around the question of who gets to write at all. Nyathi wanted to be a writer from childhood, but her parents pushed her towards a more traditional profession.She worked in finance for almost two decades and says her time as an investment analyst taught her to see writing as both a craft and a business. While her financial career paid the bills, writing remained her passion and she wrote The Polygamist in the evenings after she had finished work. She left corporate life at the age of 40 to…

The deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the ongoing Osun State governorship election, Kayode Adereti, celebrated voter turnout after casting his vote on Saturday. Mr Adereti cast his vote at Ward 11, Unit 3, Ilare, in Ife Central Local Government Area of the state. “The turnout is impressive,” he said. He emphasised that voters turned out in large number to exercise their civic responsibility. Mr Adereti, who is the running mate of Bola Oyebimiji, the APC governorship candidate, also said the election has been peaceful and “security perfect.” But reports of chaos and violence disrupting the…

Ngozi Adeleke, the wife of Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke, has expressed confidence that her husband will emerge victorious at the end of Saturday’s governorship election in the state. Mrs Adeleke spoke after she and her husband voted on Saturday at Sagba Abogunde Ward 2, Unit 9, Ede. She said she was happy that reports so far indicated the exercise was going on peacefully. She urged eligible voters across the state to come out and exercise their franchises to ensure Adeleke emerged the winner. She described the voting process at Sagba Abogunde ward 2 unit 9 as peaceful, saying there was…

Funmi Ogundare  A Counselling and Mental Health professional and senior lecturer at the Lagos State University of Education  (LASUED), Epe, Dr. Shade Adeyemi, has urged young people to develop a strong understanding of themselves before making major decisions about their careers and future. Adeyemi, who made this known Thursday, during a live conversation hosted by The Counsel Room themed: ‘Purpose, Career and Making Wise Decisions’,  shared practical insights on purpose discovery, career choices and navigating important life decisions. She stressed that self-awareness remains a critical foundation for making sound and purposeful decisions, noting that individuals who understand their strengths, weaknesses,…

Four Ella Langley songs reach new peaks on different airplay charts published by Billboard. “I Can’t Love You Anymore” earns the singer another No. 1 at country radio. NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JUNE 04: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. Ella Langley performs onstage at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest 2026 day one on June 04, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/WireImage)WireImageSeven different songs by Ella Langley appear on the Billboard charts this week. Three of them fall on every roster where they appear, while none of her tunes live on just a single list.Amazingly, four of Langley’s songs climb to new…