The SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission, led by fintech billionaire Jared Isaacman, is returning to Earth on Sunday, with splashdown scheduled at 3:36 am Eastern Time off the coast of Dry Tortugas, Florida. The mission made history with the first-ever spacewalk by non-government astronauts. The crew reached a peak altitude of 870 miles (1,400 km), three times higher than the International Space Station, marking the furthest human journey since the Apollo missions.

Australia plans to ban social media for children under 16 to protect them from potential harm. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the government will trial age verification technology to enforce this restriction. The government aims to introduce legislation this year to set a minimum age for social media access. However, the specifics of implementing age verification are yet to be disclosed by the authorities.

PTA Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeez Rehman reported that a submarine cable fault is causing internet disruptions in Pakistan. The issue, identified by the submarine consortium, affects one of the seven fiber optic cables serving the country. The malfunctioning cable is expected to be repaired by August 27, restoring normal connectivity. The PTA is closely monitoring the situation to ensure timely repairs.

Pakistan, with over 242 million people, struggles with severe internet disruptions caused by a new firewall, hindering communication and work. The Pakistan Business Council warns of a potential $300 million loss as multinational companies consider relocating. This issue and rising business registrations in Dubai reflect an exodus fueled by economic stagnation and high unemployment, threatening Pakistan’s tech sector and progress.

For nearly a month, users in Pakistan have faced disruptions in social media apps like WhatsApp and Instagram, and slow mobile internet services. Media reports suggest these issues were due to the second trial of a firewall installation on internet service providers. The trial has been completed successfully. Reports claim the slowdowns and outages were intentional to facilitate the firewall’s installation across the country.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is whitelisting VPNs via an automated process to ensure secure IT services and online businesses. This follows PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman’s statement linking the lifting of the X (formerly Twitter) ban to government directives. In a Senate briefing, he confirmed that only selected proxy networks would be available in Pakistan after the whitelisting process.

Boom Supersonic’s XB1 aircraft, showcased at Farnborough, is set for its second test flight, aiming to break the sound barrier. By year-end, it is expected to reach 760 mph. Historically, only the Tupolev Tu-144 and Concorde existed, ceasing in 2003. Boom envisions flights from London to New York in 3.5 hours at over 1,300 mph, marking a significant step towards commercial supersonic travel after decades of anticipation.

The federal government has authorized Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to tap phones for national security and crime prevention. A notification under Section 54 of the Pakistan Telecommunication Act 1996 allows ISI to record any telecommunications system, including mobile and WhatsApp calls, and messages. This authority is granted to Grade 18 ISI officers with the prime minister’s approval.

SpaceX’s Starship rocket survived a fiery, hypersonic return and achieved a breakthrough landing in the Indian Ocean on Thursday, completing a global test mission on its fourth try. 65 minutes after launching from Texas, the controlled plunge marks a major advance in SpaceX’s multibillion-dollar effort to build a reusable satellite launcher and moon lander. Three previous missions ended in explosions.

The James Webb Space Telescope has found a potential record-breaking distant galaxy. NASA revealed Thursday that this exceptionally bright star system originated a mere 290 million years after the Big Bang. Since its launch in 2022, the Webb telescope has ushered in a new era of scientific breakthroughs, peering farther into the universe’s distant reaches and lookingback in time.

Pakistan’s multi-mission communication satellite, PAKSAT-MM1, has been launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China. The satellite will be positioned 36,000 kilometers above Earth’s surface, taking three to four days to reach its orbit. Suparco states that PAKSAT-MM1 has a 15-year lifespan and is equipped with the latest communication technology.

The FDA approved Neuralink’s brain chip implant in another human despite issues with the first recipient, Daily Mail reports. The company addressed problems faced by the initial 29-year- old patient. Neuralink stated in a blog post that many threads retracted from Noland Arbaugh’s brain, according to CNBC. Musk’s venture aims to cure paralysis by enabling people to control technology with their minds through its BCI.