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NeurIPS Reverses Ban on Sanctioned Entities After China Backlash

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NeurIPS, one of the world’s leading artificial intelligence conferences, has reversed a controversial policy that would have banned research papers from entities under U.S. sanctions, following strong backlash from China.

The policy, initially introduced earlier in the week, aimed to expand restrictions beyond the U.S. Treasury’s sanctions list. It triggered immediate criticism, particularly from China Association for Science and Technology, which announced a boycott and halted funding support for members planning to attend the conference.

NeurIPS later stated that the broader restriction had been issued in error due to a miscommunication with its legal team. The organization clarified that submission limits would apply only to entities listed under the U.S. Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, not all sanctioned organizations.

The conference issued a public apology, acknowledging the disruption caused within the global research community. The incident underscores growing tensions between the United States and China in the field of artificial intelligence, where academic collaboration is increasingly influenced by geopolitical factors.

NeurIPS remains a key global platform where researchers, companies and experts present peer-reviewed AI research and discuss technological advances each year.

Bellatrix Aerospace Raises $20M to Scale Satellite Propulsion

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Bellatrix Aerospace has secured $20 million in a pre-Series B funding round, aiming to expand production of its satellite propulsion systems amid rising global demand.

The round was led by Cactus Partners, with participation from several new and existing investors. The Bengaluru-based company plans to use the funds to scale manufacturing capacity and accelerate delivery timelines for both domestic and international clients.

CEO Rohan Ganapathy stated that the investment will enable a significant increase in annual production, particularly as satellite constellations continue to expand worldwide.

Founded in 2015, Bellatrix focuses on advanced propulsion technologies for satellites and has established operations in the United States. The company is positioning itself to benefit from growing demand in the commercial space sector.

The funding comes as India continues to open its space industry to private players beyond Indian Space Research Organisation, alongside government initiatives to support startups through dedicated funding programs.

Indonesia Set to Enforce Social Media Curbs for Under-16s

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Indonesia is preparing to implement new restrictions on social media use for users under 16, but uncertainty remains over how the rules will be enforced.

The regulation targets platforms deemed “high-risk,” including Roblox, Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube, TikTok and X. These services may be required to deactivate accounts belonging to underage users or restrict access based on risk criteria such as exposure to strangers, addictive algorithms and psychological harm.

Officials say the policy is designed to reduce cyberbullying and digital addiction among children. However, key implementation details—such as verification systems and enforcement mechanisms—remain unclear just as the rules are set to take effect.

Authorities indicated that account deactivations will begin gradually, with some platforms already outlining initial compliance steps. Roblox, for example, is expected to introduce stricter controls for younger users, while TikTok and X have signaled readiness to enforce minimum age requirements.

Despite these measures, experts question the effectiveness of the policy, noting that enforcement could be technically complex and that children may still find ways to bypass restrictions.

The move reflects a broader global trend of tightening social media regulations for minors, as governments respond to increasing concerns over mental health, online safety and platform design.