A newly identified asteroid, 2024 YR4, has drawn attention from astronomers and space agencies as calculations reveal a small but notable chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. Initially, the probability of impact was placed at 1.2%, but with updated observational data, the likelihood has increased to 2.3% (approximately 1 in 43). While this still represents a relatively low risk, the potential threat is significant enough for experts to continue closely t

In February 2025, US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 30-day pause on tariffs against Mexico and Canada brought a brief sense of relief to global markets. The decision helped prevent a potential escalation of a full-blown trade war, with US equity futures and international markets responding positively. However, concerns linger about the long-term effects of tariffs on industries such as automotive, semiconductor, consumer goods, e-commerce, and green energy.  

Sunita Williams Breaks Spacewalking Record While Stranded on the ISS NASA astronaut Sunita "Suni" Williams has set a new record for total spacewalking time by a female astronaut, surpassing Peggy Whitson's previous record of 60 hours and 21 minutes. Williams achieved this milestone during her ninth spacewalk on January 30, 2025, as she worked outside the International Space Station

Overview of China’s Technological Progress and India’s Struggles In the first paragraph, Nithin Kamath highlights the significant technological progress made by China, particularly in AI with startups like DeepSeek. Kamath draws a historical comparison between China and India’s development, noting that both countries had similar per-capita GDP in the 1960s and 7

India and China recently concluded a two-day foreign secretary-level meeting where several important decisions were made, marking a step toward stabilizing and rebuilding bilateral relations. The most significant outcome was the agreement to resume the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra during the summer, which has been suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resumption of this sacred pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar lake in Tibet is expected to ease tensions and foster people-

Impact of China’s Export Restrictions on Indian Manufacturing: India’s manufacturing industry is facing significant disruptions due to China’s export restrictions, which are part of the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China. These curbs primarily affect industries in India that rely on raw materials, machinery, and components from China, such as the solar po

Overview of ISRO's START 2025 Program: ISRO Chairman S Somanath delivered a keynote speech at the launch of the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START 2025) program, emphasizing the role of space science beyond the excitement of becoming astronomers. He explained that space science involves rigorous and time-consuming work that requires years of persistent effort and expertise. He shared that this year’s program will involve 20,000 students from more than 560

Expansion of China's Trade-In Scheme China is extending its consumer trade-in program, originally launched in March 2024, to help stimulate demand in the struggling household sector. The scheme now includes additional home appliances such as microwave ovens, dishwashers, and rice cookers. In an effort to boost the digital goods market, subsidies are also being offered for products like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Consumers who trade in old products can receive subsidies

Renowned rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert V. Narayanan is set to take over as the next Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), succeeding S. Somanath. His appointment comes at a pivotal time for India's space sector, which is undergoing significant reforms, with numerous ambitious projects on the horizon, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight, Chandrayaan-4, and the development of India’s own space station.

During his two-day visit to India, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced that the United States is taking steps to remove long-standing regulatory barriers preventing effective civil nuclear cooperation between India and the US. This move is expected to breathe new life into a landmark deal that has been in the works for over a decade. Sullivan revealed that the US is finalizing steps to enable cooperation between India’s nuclear agencies and US companies. The c

On December 13, 2024, the United States and China signed a bilateral science and technology agreement, revising a 45-year-old pact. However, this new agreement limits research collaboration and narrows the scope of topics allowed for joint study, reflecting heightened concerns over international research security. Governments worldwide, including the U.S., European Union, Canada, and Japan, have introduced stricter measures to safeguard sensitive scientific data from foreign interference, esp

India's government is investigating rising steel imports, particularly in two categories of flat-rolled steel products (HS 7208 and 7210), which account for over 75% of the surge in imports. Instead of implementing global safeguards, experts suggest that India should focus on Free Trade Agreement (FTA)-specific safeguards and measures targeting China. Many imports come duty-free under FTAs with coun

2024 has been officially declared the hottest year in China’s history, with the national average temperature reaching 10.92°C (51.66°F), according to the China Meteorological Administration. This marks the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking heat in the country. The year witnessed the hottest month, July, along with the warmest August and autumn season on record. Global temperature records were also shattered, with the United Nations confirming that 2024 was set to be the

The number of sunrises seen by the crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is determined by the station’s rapid orbiting of Earth. As of January 1, 2025, U.S. astronaut Sunita Williams, currently stationed on the ISS, is set to witness 16 sunrises as the world enters the New Year. Williams, the commander of the “Expedition 72” mission, is joined by her fellow flight engineers: Alexey Ovchini

India is gearing up to launch a massive American communications satellite that will enable phone calls using direct connectivity from space. This innovative approach to satellite telephony is a first for India, which has previously only launched small satellites made by American entities.   The satellite, operated by AST SpaceMobile, a Texas-based company, will allow users to make voice calls u

In his New Year's Eve address, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his stance on Taiwan, declaring that "no one can stop the reunification" of Taiwan with mainland China. This declaration comes amidst heightened tensions, as Beijing has intensified military pressure on the island through numerous air force and naval drills in recent years. Taiwan, a democratic nation, stands in contrast to China’s communist government, with Beijing viewing Taiwan as an integral part of

The US Treasury Department confirmed that a China state-sponsored actor was responsible for a recent cyber breach, compromising its workstations and some unclassified documents. The incident occurred earlier this month when the actor gained access through a third-party cybersecurity provider, BeyondTrust. Once the breach was detected, Treasury swiftly contacted the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and began working with law enforcement to investigate the incident and assess

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh): ISRO is preparing for a major milestone as it plans the 100th launch from the Sriharikota spaceport, scheduled for January. This milestone will be achieved with a Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) mission, according to ISRO Chairman S. Somanath. The 99th launch from Sriharikota took place on Monday, with the successful PSLV-C60

What Is a Black Moon and How to Experience This Rare Phenomenon? Skywatchers are in for a treat as 2024 concludes with a rare astronomical event called the "black moon." This fascinating term refers to the second new moon occurring within a single calendar month. While not officially recognized in astronomy, the phenomenon has gained popularity among amateur astronomers and stargazers over the years. According to the US Naval Observatory, the black moon will oc

India has started a probe into the alleged dumping of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel tanks from China, following a complaint by domestic company Inox India Ltd. The company has requested the imposition of anti-dumping duties, claiming that the influx of cheap imports is negatively affecting the profit margins of the domestic industry. These LNG fuel tanks are used for transporting methane gas in vehicles like trucks. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), which handles