Wednesday☕️

29 Jan 2025 — 6 min read

Economics & Markets:

Geopolitics & Military Activity:

On January 28, 2025, a Ukrainian drone strike hit an oil depot in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, causing a large fire. Videos shared on social media show thick smoke rising from the facility, but the full extent of the damage and any casualties are still unclear. This attack is part of a growing pattern of Ukrainian strikes deep into Russian territory, targeting key infrastructure like oil depots and refineries. These operations aim to weaken Russia’s supply chains and disrupt its military efforts.

While Ukrainian forces continue to strike deep inside Russia, Russia has maintained its own offensive, launching missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and military positions. The war remains a constant exchange of strikes, with both sides engaged in offensive and defensive battles across the front lines and within each others territories. This latest attack further demonstrates the increasing role of drones and autonomous weapon systems in modern warfare, showing how these technologies are reshaping the battlefield with long-range precision strikes.
Yesterday, an F-35 fighter jet crashed on the flightline at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska, as seen in the video below. The pilot ejected before impact and was transported to Bassett Army Hospital for evaluation but was unharmed. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. With an estimated cost of $81 million per jet, the incident marks a loss as officials work to determine what went wrong.

Environment & Weather:

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued alerts for severe weather from Wednesday night through Friday. A strong low-pressure system will develop northwest of Hawaii, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and possible flash flooding. A flood watch is in effect for all Hawaiian Islands during this time, with heavy rain increasing the risk of flash floods. A high wind watch is also in place, with southwest winds of 20 to 35 mph and gusts up to 55 mph, which could cause downed trees, power outages, and dangerous travel conditions.

Residents should stay updated on weather alerts and take precautions, such as securing loose objects and preparing for possible flash flood warnings. Windward and mountain areas may experience the strongest winds, while urban areas could see significant flooding. The National Weather Service advises everyone to stay cautious and be prepared for changing conditions.

Privacy & Security:

In January 2025, PowerSchool began notifying victims of a major data breach that occurred on December 28, 2024. Hackers accessed its PowerSource customer support portal using stolen credentials, exposing sensitive data from students and teachers, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, medical records, and academic records. The attackers claim to have stolen data from around 62 million students and 9.5 million teachers.

PowerSchool is notifying affected individuals across the U.S. and Canada, offering two years of free credit monitoring for adults and identity protection for minors. The company has reported the breach to regulators and is working with cybersecurity experts to strengthen security. However, concerns remain about how the stolen data could be misused and the risks of storing sensitive student information online.

Space:

Yesterday, on January 28, 2025, at 12:53 UTC, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched a GSLV Mk II rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India. The rocket carried the NVS-02 satellite, a key part of India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system. NavIC is India’s independent satellite navigation system, designed to provide accurate positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services across the country and up to 1,500 km beyond its borders.

The GSLV Mk II (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) is a medium-lift rocket developed by ISRO, designed for placing satellites into geostationary and geosynchronous orbits. It is equipped with an indigenous cryogenic upper stage, which allows it to carry heavier payloads and operate more efficiently. The successful deployment of NVS-02 strengthens India’s satellite-based navigation system, supporting applications such as transportation, disaster management, precision agriculture, and military operations.

Science & Technology:

Yesterday, January 28, 2025, X announced a partnership with Visa to launch XMoney, a new digital payment service. This feature allows users to fund their X Wallet via Visa Direct, link debit cards for peer-to-peer payments, and instantly transfer money to bank accounts. The move is part of X‘s push toward becoming an everything app, integrating financial services alongside social media, commerce, and entertainment.

Superapps, which combine multiple services into a single platform, are becoming a dominant trend in tech. X is leading the way, but other major companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, TikTok, and Uber are also moving in this direction, adding multiple apps and services into one platform. As competition intensifies, the race to build a truly unified digital platform is accelerating, with X and its new financial services playing a central role in this shift.
Yesterday, January 28, 2025, Boom Supersonic‘s XB-1 aircraft broke the sound barrier over the Mojave Desert, reaching Mach 1.1 (about 845 mph). The XB-1 is a test plane designed to help bring back supersonic travel for passengers, something not seen since the Concorde was retired in 2003.

This milestone brings supersonic air travel closer to reality. Boom Supersonic is working on the Overture, a passenger jet that could fly at Mach 1.7, cutting flight times in half like flying from New York to London in just 3.5 hours. Major airlines like American, United, and Japan Airlines have already ordered these jets. As supersonic technology improves, we may soon see much faster flights and new advancements in aircraft technology.

Statistic: