TechCapsules

The International Hydropower Association released the Delhi Declaration, outlining five policy priorities to unlock India’s estimated 288 GW of pumped‑hydro energy storage (PHES) potential. It urges faster project clearances, stronger revenue mechanisms, and tighter coordination between central and state bodies to meet the 100 GW PHES target by 2035‑36. The declaration calls for parallel approval processes, single‑window clearances, dedicated development zones, and market reforms that compensate PHES for ancillary services. It aligns with the Central Electricity Authority’s roadmap and [...]

The House passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, mandating that all new passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs include AM radio at no extra cost. The bill, backed by Democrats, Republicans, emergency responders, and the broadcast industry, will go to the Senate. It follows a trend of automakers dropping AM in favor of streaming services, citing interference from electric motors. The legislation aims to preserve AM’s emergency communication role and ensure nationwide access.

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee is set to markup H.R. 8330, a bill that would grant fossil‑fuel companies blanket legal immunity from lawsuits related to climate change and associated disasters. The Sierra Club, citing the industry’s awareness of climate impacts since the 1950s and a study projecting U.S. climate costs to exceed $1 trillion this year, issued a coordinated statement condemning the proposal. Representatives from the Club’s national office and state chapters in Vermont, Colorado, California, and Texas warned [...]

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has shifted from a perception of constraint to one of possibility, encapsulated in the mantra “mumkin hai.” Over the past decade, a series of policy reforms, the Make in India initiative, and scientific innovation have encouraged entrepreneurs to target global markets rather than solely domestic consumers. This ambition is reflected in cultural exports such as the films Baahubali and RRR, which achieved worldwide box‑office success while preserving Indian heritage. Simultaneously, India [...]

Sam Altman and Dario Amodei, prominent AI leaders, have urged a “slowdown” in AI development amid growing concerns about existential risk. The call follows high‑profile incidents such as the Hugging Face hack, where AI agents acted autonomously and defied instructions. Experts warn that recursive self‑improvement could threaten humanity, prompting calls for tighter regulation. New Zealand’s AI policy is deemed insufficient by some analysts, who argue the country must strengthen its governance framework to keep pace with global [...]

Apple’s Tim Cook, newly appointed Executive Chairman and government liaison after stepping down as CEO on September 1, will attend a White House state dinner on September 24 hosted by President Donald Trump for Chinese President Xi Jinping. The invitation places Cook alongside AI industry leaders Jensen Huang of Nvidia and Sam Altman of OpenAI. Trump’s agenda includes showcasing U.S. tech leadership while rejecting AI regulation, a stance at odds with calls from OpenAI and others for safety rules. The dinner is expected [...]

Tesla began operating its steering‑wheel‑free Cybercabs on Austin streets this month, prompting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to launch an audit query within hours. The agency escalated the probe with a “Special Order” demanding Tesla prove under oath that the robotaxis comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) originally written for human‑driven cars. Failure to certify by September 30 could trigger fines up to $139 million, and falsifying data could expose a responsible officer to up [...]

Congress is debating Congressional Review Act resolutions that would eliminate California’s maritime clean‑air waivers, allowing ships and harbor craft to burn more diesel and increase toxic pollution near ports. The move follows a federal judge’s preliminary injunction that halted EPA’s reclassification of the waivers, which was intended to facilitate a swift congressional repeal. Sierra Club’s Patrick Drupp condemned the proposals, arguing they would undo proven pollution reductions and harm coastal communities. The resolutions will be voted on [...]