India Imposes 12% Safeguard Duty on Steel Imports to Protect Local Industry India, the world’s second-largest producer of crude steel, has imposed a temporary 12% safeguard duty on select steel import to curb rising shipments, mainly from China. The move, announced by the Ministry of Finance on Monday, aims to support domestic manufacturers impacted by the influx of cheaper foreign steel. Duty to Be in Effect for 200 Days The newly introduced tariff will be enforced for 200 days starting Monday, unless revoked or amended earlier. This marks a significant shift in New Delhi’s trade strategy and follows similar actions…
Author: Aishwarya Parikh
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Crewed missions and a space station on the horizon Department of Space of India has outlined an ambitious roadmap for the next two decades. The country plans to send its first astronaut into space in 2025, build its own space station by 2035, and land an Indian on the Moon by 2045. Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology, described these as “cornerstone projects” for India’s growing space programme. The Bhartiya Antariksh Station, first announced in 2019, is expected to host astronauts from India for up to 20 days in orbit at around 400 km above Earth. Chandrayaan-3 reveals…
Vietnam’s Security Ministry to Take Control of Major Internet Provider Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security is set to acquire a majority stake in FPT Telecom, one of the country’s largest internet providers, as part of broader efforts to enhance national cybersecurity. This move underscores the ministry’s growing influence in Vietnam’s digital infrastructure. Strategic Shift Towards State Control According to a document reviewed by Reuters, the ministry plans to take over the 50.17% stake currently held by the State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC). SCIC is a state-owned holding company responsible for managing government investments. The document indicates that the stake will…
Attorney General Says Musk’s Legal Action Lacks Public Benefit The California attorney general’s office has declined to support Elon Musk’s lawsuit against artificial intelligence firm OpenAI. In a letter released on Tuesday, the office said Musk had not shown how the case serves the public interest of the state. Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, is currently locked in a dispute with fellow co-founder and OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman. The legal battle revolves around OpenAI’s proposed structural shift, which includes removing the nonprofit board’s control in favour of equity-driven investor interests. The attorney general’s letter, dated Monday, stated that Musk’s claims…
Zuckerberg Defends Meta in Landmark Meta VS FTC Antitrust Trial Over Instagram and WhatsApp Acquisitions Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared in court on Monday, 14 April, to defend his company against a significant antitrust lawsuit. The trial (meta VS FTC), held in Washington, challenges Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, which US regulators argue were aimed at eliminating competition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TriaXu8J2MQ Meta VS FTC: Push to Restructure Meta’s Holdings The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is urging the court to force Meta to sell either or both platforms. This move aligns with former President Donald Trump’s pledge to take action against…
China Pavilion at Osaka Expo Blends Tradition with Innovation The China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo in Japan has quickly become a standout attraction, drawing large crowds with its striking blend of ancient art and modern technology. A Showcase of Heritage and Sustainability Spanning around 3,500 square metres, the pavilion is one of the largest foreign self-built sites at the event. It is divided into three themed sections: traditional Chinese ecological wisdom, modern green development, and China’s global vision for a sustainable future. At the centre of the pavilion is the multimedia artwork “Harmony Between Humans and Nature,” a mesmerising…
US Grants Tariff Relief for Key Tech Products The US government has decided to ease tariffs on a wide range of technology products, offering relief to major US tech giants like Apple and Dell Technologies. Smartphones, Computers, and Chips Temporarily Excluded US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday that certain electronics — including smartphones, computers, and semiconductors — may be subject to new tariffs in the near future. However, for now, they are excluded from the existing steep tariffs. Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” Lutnick noted that these products will be considered under a separate set of tariffs, which…
A Distant Planet Spiralled Into Its Star in a Fiery End In a remarkable observation, astronomers witnessed a planet being devoured by its host star—marking the first time such an event has ever been seen. Initially, scientists believed the star expanded into a red giant, engulfing the planet in its path. But new data from the James Webb Space Telescope paints a different picture. A Shift in Understanding The James Webb Space Telescope, which became operational in 2022, offered fresh insights into this cosmic event. Instead of the star expanding and swallowing the planet, researchers now believe the planet’s orbit…
India’s E-Waste Reform Faces Resistance from Global Electronics Giants India is pushing to address its growing electronic waste crisis, but leading global electronics manufacturers are pushing back. Companies including Daikin, Hitachi, and Samsung are challenging new recycling rules introduced by the Indian government, claiming that India’s E-waste policies sharply increase compliance costs and threaten their business models. New Recycling Rules Spark Legal and Industry Opposition In September, the Indian government introduced a minimum price that electronics companies must pay to authorised recyclers for processing waste. The aim is to formalise the largely unregulated e-waste sector, improve environmental safety, and encourage…
Rapid growth in Chinese robotics showcases expanding global footprint From smart homes and medical care to food delivery and industrial manufacturing, Chinese robots are finding uses across the globe. At the forefront of this technological surge is Shenzhen, a city rapidly becoming a global centre for robotics research, production, and export. By the end of 2024, China had registered over 450,000 smart robot companies, more than triple the number at the end of 2020, according to the State Administration for Market Regulation. Today, more than half of the world’s humanoid robot companies are based in China, cementing the country’s dominance…