The Nigerian Government has approved the launch of four satellites to aid observation and fight against insecurity in the country.

This was announced by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, at the 22nd National Council on Innovation, Science, and Technology (NCIST) in Abuja.

Diaspora Watch reports that the satellites include three Earth observation satellites and one Radar Aperture Satellite.

According to the Minister, these satellites will enable the military to effectively monitor and respond to security threats without relying on foreign image and data purchases, noting with these satellites, Nigeria will have greater control over its security surveillance.

The minister emphasized the need to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact.

He noted that valuable research conducted in Nigerian universities and institutions has often remained underutilized due to lack of support, financing, and mentorship for young innovators.

The minister called for a new approach, where every “research has a roadmap to industry, and innovation is commercialized for national prosperity”.

The launch of these satellites will not only enhance security but also promote research and development in the country.

It will create opportunities for youths to develop their skills and contribute to the country’s technological advancement.

The 22nd NCIST, which was themed “Research, Development, Innovation, and Commercialization: A Cycle for National Prosperity,” served as a platform for stakeholders to discuss the role of innovation and technology in driving national development.

The launch of the satellites is a significant step towards achieving this goal.

A growing number of WhatsApp users in India are falling prey to hacking, with experts warning of a rising threat to online security. Shantanu Gupta, a noted author and political analyst, recently had his WhatsApp account hacked, highlighting the vulnerability of the popular messaging platform. Gupta’s account was compromised during a routine train journey, with the hacker gaining access to his contacts and sending messages demanding money.

Despite regaining control of his account within hours with the help of the police, Gupta expressed frustration with Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, and his network provider, Airtel, for their lack of support and security measures. “What shocked me was how easily my account was compromised,” Gupta said. “All they needed was my phone number and access to the voice OTP, and they could configure WhatsApp on another device. It’s unsettling that my network provider didn’t even verify or send a warning SMS before allowing such a crucial call to be redirected.

“Gupta’s experience is not an isolated incident. Manish, another WhatsApp user, has been facing a strange issue where his account is taken over every night, with unusual activity occurring, including the creation of WhatsApp groups with unknown numbers. Despite enabling two-factor authentication, Manish has been unable to prevent the hacking.

“I’m at my wit’s end,” Manish said. “Every morning, I have to request a review from WhatsApp and regain access to my account. It’s like someone is playing a game with me, and I don’t know how to stop it. “Experts warn that WhatsApp hacking is a growing threat, with attackers using social engineering, technical exploits, and SIM-based attacks to hijack accounts.

Common hacking methods include OTP phishing, SIM swapping, WhatsApp Web hijacking, and call merging scams. “WhatsApp hacking is a serious concern, and users need to be aware of the risks,” said Gautam Kumawat, a professional hacker and founder of Hacking Flix.

“Attackers are using sophisticated methods to gain access to accounts, and users need to take proactive steps to protect themselves.” To safeguard against these threats, experts recommend enabling two-factor authentication, using a SIM PIN, regularly checking linked devices, and being cautious when receiving unexpected OTPs or calls.

Users should never share their six-digit PIN with anyone, not even friends or family,” said Shiv Raj, Additional Superintendent (ASP), Banda district, a cybercrime expert and PPS officer of Uttar Pradesh Police. “They should also be wary of suspicious links or messages asking for personal information.”

In response to the growing concern, a Meta spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to user safety, advising users to never share their six-digit PIN and to enable two-step verification for added security.

“WhatsApp continues to invest in technology, safety tools, and resources to help users safeguard themselves from online scams,” the spokesperson said. “We advise people to be cautious when receiving un-expected OTPs or calls and to report any suspicious activity to us immediately.”

In a remarkable crew-swap mission, a SpaceX capsule successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, delivering four astronauts and paving the way for the return of two stuck astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, after nine months in orbit.

The Crew-10 astronauts’ SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday at 7:03 p.m. ET and docked at the ISS approximately 29 hours later, at 12:04 a.m. ET (0404 GMT) on Sunday. The seven-member crew of the ISS, including Wilmore and Williams, welcomed the new arrivals.

Wilmore and Williams, veteran NASA astronauts and retired Navy test pilots, have been stranded on the ISS due to problems with Boeing’s Star-liner capsule. Their return to Earth is now imminent, with a scheduled departure on Wednesday at 4 a.m. ET (0800 GMT), alongside NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.

The Crew-10 mission has been marked by controversy, with President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk, also SpaceX’s CEO, urging a quicker launch and claiming that Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, had abandoned Wilmore and Williams on the station for political reasons.

Despite the politics, Wilmore and Williams have continued to conduct scientific research and routine maintenance on the ISS. Williams expressed her excitement about returning home to her family and two dogs, saying, “It’s been a roller coaster for them, probably a little bit more so than for us. “The Crew-10 crew, comprising NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, will spend approximately six months on the ISS.