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Decoded: What is Thirty Meter Telescope? Why is it significant for India?

The Thirty Meter Telescope, featuring a 30-meter primary mirror and advanced adaptive optics, aims to explore fundamental questions about the universe

Global electric vehicle sales up 13% in June, decline 7% in Europe

China accounted for over 60 per cent of the total, as rising availability of electric vehicles and strong sales by BYD contributed to an increase

Nato summit was about Ukraine, Prez Joe Biden: All you need to know

NATO leaders met this week to celebrate the alliance's 75th anniversary under the cloud of deep political uncertainty in its most powerful member the United States. But even as questions swirled about President Joe Biden's future and the implications of a possible return to the White House by NATO sceptic Donald Trump, the 32 allies put a brave face on their strength and unity going forward, particularly in relation to Ukraine. Over three days in Washington, Ukraine, Russia, the threat posed by an increasingly aggressive China and NATO's future dominated the formal summit discussions, although all eyes were on Biden. He hoped to use the summit as a symbol of his strength as leader of the free world as he struggles to salvage his reelection campaign. Biden is facing growing calls to withdraw after a poor debate performance against Trump last month. Here are key takeaways from the summit: Biden gets some slack Biden stunned the audience at a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on

China's exports exceed forecasts, declining imports point to more stimulus

The mixed trade data keeps alive calls for further government stimulus as the $18.6 trillion economy struggles to get back on its feet

China hits out at Nato for branding it as 'decisive enabler' of Ukraine war

China on Thursday hit out at NATO for terming it as a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war against Ukraine, lodging a diplomatic protest to the Western alliance for the "provocative" remarks and asking it not to bring the same "chaos" to Asia. The China-related paragraphs in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's Washington summit declaration are "biased, provocative and aimed at vilifying" Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a media briefing here. "We strongly deplore it and firmly oppose it and lodged a serious representation, (diplomatic protest) to NATO," Lin said. He also lashed out at the NATO Asia-Pacific push, saying the organisation is strengthening ties with China's neighbours and US allies trying to seek security at the expense of others and asked it not to bring the same "chaos" to Asia. NATO's Asia Pacific strategy has damaged China's interests, he said and urged it to stop interfering in its internal affairs. China will firmly safeguard its ...

Taiwan, US relationship would only get better: President Lai to US envoy

During his visit to the Presidential Office, Greene stated that the United States would continue to assist Taiwan's attempts to protect itself because cross-strait peace and stability were essential

Global tax deal: Impact analysis done, govt may talk on Pillar 2 in Budget

Experts suggest India is still iffy on Pillar 1 and the equalisation levy may be extended beyond June 30

Nato expresses concern over deepening relationship between Russia, China

The 32-member NATO expressed concerns on Wednesday over the deepening relationship between Russia and China, and the latter's aggressive behaviour. "The People's Republic of China's (PRC) stated ambitions and coercive policies continue to challenge our interests, security and values. The deepening strategic partnership between Russia and the PRC and their mutually-reinforcing attempts to undercut and reshape the rules-based international order are a cause for profound concern," said the Washington Summit Declaration. "We are confronted by hybrid, cyber, space and other threats and malicious activities from state and non-state actors," said the declaration issued by the heads of state and government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) here during which it welcomed Sweden as its 32nd member country. The historic accession of Finland and Sweden makes them safer and the alliance stronger, including in the High North and the Baltic Sea, it ...

China coal generation share at record low in May as renewables hit highs

Increased renewable generation led carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector, which make up some 40 per cent of China's overall emissions, to fall by 3.6 per cent in May

China experiencing dramatic economic slowdown: Indian-American Congressman

Observing that China is experiencing a dramatic slowdown in its economy, an influential Congressman on Wednesday said Beijing has two paths going forward -- continue with its aggression against its neighbours or reform its economy and reduce aggression. "Essentially, China is experiencing a dramatic slowdown in its economy to the point where it might be on the verge of deflation in certain sectors in the economy. Consumer confidence has vanished. You are looking at youth unemployment of upwards of 25 per cent in a country with a one-child policy for decades. That is a very, very bad statistic," Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi told PTI in an interview. "It has racked up tremendous debt, especially at the provincial and local level, and then people's net worth, which is mostly invested in real estate, has fallen significantly. So right now, Xi Jinping, the paramount leader, finds himself in a position where his populist is experiencing severe economic pain," he said. T

2025- 2034 to be decade to combat sand storms from Africa to China: UN

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday declared 2025 to 2034 the United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms extreme weather events that are increasing and threatening health and economies from central Africa to northern China. Uganda's UN Ambassador Godfrey Kwoba, who introduced the resolution on behalf of the Group of 77, a powerful UN group of 134 developing countries and China, told the 193-member assembly the initiative aims to halt and mitigate the negative effects of sand and dust storms through international and regional cooperation. The assembly adopted the resolution by consensus and a bang of the gavel by assembly president Dennis Francis. In a 2022 report, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification said sand and dust storms have increased dramatically in frequency in recent years. It said storms can exacerbate respiratory illnesses, kill crops and livestock, and increase desertification, though documentation of their impact is limited. The ...

China launches 'tit-for-tat' investigation in response to EU trade barriers

At the center of those strains with the EU are China's electric car exports, which Europe is worried threaten jobs in its own autos sector

Nato condemns China's Russia support, backs full Ukraine integration

The alliance is also concerned by developments in China's space capabilities and activities and urges Beijing to engage in strategic risk reduction discussions, the draft said

New US envoy to Taiwan vows to help with self-defence amid China threats

The United States' new top envoy to Taiwan promised Wednesday that Washington will help the self-ruled island defend itself as China ramps up its military threats. Raymond Greene, who assumed his new role as director of the American Institute in Taiwan on Monday, met with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. First of all, and the most important thing, the U.S. will strongly support Taiwan's self-defense capabilities, Greene said. We both have common and long-term interests in peace and stability over the Taiwan Strait. Lai said Taiwan will strive to maintain the status quo with Beijing, which claims the island democracy of 23 million people as its own territory, to be reclaimed by force if necessary. Taiwan's Defense Ministry also said Wednesday it detected 36 Chinese military jets, including J-16 fighters and H-6 bombers, flying south and southeast of the island and headed into the Western Pacific to carry out drills with China's Shandong aircraft carrier. The U.S., like most countr

China's June consumer inflation misses expectations amid weak demand

Beijing has sought to revive consumption after a stuttering post-Covid recovery, but concerns are lingering over more fundamental issues including a protracted housing downturn

India races to build hydropower plants in region claimed by China: Report

Under the scheme, about Rs 9,000 core will likely be allotted for the 12 hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh, said the sources, who have direct knowledge of the matter

Hungary PM meets Xi during surprise China visit; Russia-Ukraine on agenda

In a video he posted from a Beijing airport tarmac on Monday on X, Orban hailed China as the only world power "clearly committed to peace''

As China-Russia come closer, Nato deepens relations with Asian partners

In the third year of the war in Ukraine, NATO is set to deepen relations with its four Indo-Pacific partners, which, although not part of the military alliance, are gaining prominence as Russia and China forge closer ties to counter the United States and the two Koreas support opposing sides of the conflict in Europe. The leaders of New Zealand, Japan and South Korea for the third year in a row will attend the NATO summit, which starts Tuesday in Washington, DC, while Australia will send its deputy prime minister. China will be following the summit closely, worried by the alliance's growing interest beyond Europe and the Western Hemisphere. "Increasingly, partners in Europe see challenges halfway around the world in Asia as being relevant to them, just as partners in Asia see challenges halfway around the world in Europe as being relevant to them," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week at the Brookings Institution. America's top diplomat said the US has been working to ..

Japan, Philippines sign defense pact in face of shared alarm over China

Japan and the Philippines signed a key defence pact on Monday allowing the deployment of Japanese forces for joint drills in the Southeast Asian nation that came under brutal Japanese occupation in World War II but is now building an alliance with Tokyo as both face an increasingly assertive China. The Reciprocal Access Agreement, which similarly allows Filipino forces to enter Japan for joint combat training, was signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa in a Manila ceremony witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. It would take effect after ratification by the countries' legislatures, Philippine and Japanese officials said. Kamikawa called the signing a groundbreaking achievement" that should further boost defence cooperation between the countries. The Japanese and Philippine officials expressed serious concern over the dangerous and escalatory actions by China in Second Thomas Shoal, the scene of a recent confrontation

China's car sales slide in June, falling for third straight month

June sales of so-called new energy vehicles including pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids accounted for a record 48.1 per cent of domestic car sales