India’s power sector witnessed a notable 1% decline in carbon dioxide emissions during the first half of 2025, marking only the second such reduction in nearly five decades. This shift was driven by a combination of record-breaking clean energy capacity additions and unusually mild weather, which collectively curbed electricity demand, according to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). The Helsinki-based think tank attributed 65% of the drop in fossil fuel generation to slower demand growth, 20% to accelerated clean energy expansion, and 15% to increased hydropower output. The analysis, based on official data from various government ministries, revealed that India added 25.1 gigawatts (GW) of non-fossil capacity in the first six months of 2025—a 69% increase from the previous record. This capacity is sufficient to generate nearly 50 terawatt hours (TWh) annually. Additionally, lower temperatures and above-average rainfall between March and May reduced air conditioning usage, while hydropower output surged. Despite a 9TWh rise in total power generation, fossil fuel generation fell by 29TWh. Oil demand growth also stalled, contributing to the broader emissions slowdown. However, emissions from steel and cement production rose sharply due to increased government infrastructure spending. CREA suggested that India’s power-sector emissions could peak before 2030 if clean energy growth continues and demand remains within projections. Historically, the power sector has accounted for half of India’s emissions growth. The country aims to add 500 GW of clean energy by 2030 as part of its broader climate goals.
标签： Asia
亚洲
-
Scammed into scamming
In November 2024, Oly, a 39-year-old IT consultant from East Africa, embarked on what he believed would be a brief vacation in Bangkok, Thailand. However, his journey took a sinister turn when he was abducted and trafficked to a notorious scam center in Myanmar. This incident sheds light on a multibillion-dollar fraud industry thriving in Southeast Asia, fueled by human trafficking and operated by Chinese criminal gangs.
-
Republican lawmaker raises concerns about TikTok divestiture deal
The Republican chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Representative John Moolenaar, has expressed significant concerns regarding a proposed U.S.-China framework deal that would transfer TikTok’s U.S. assets to American ownership. Moolenaar highlighted that the deal might still allow Beijing to exert influence over the app’s users through ByteDance’s algorithm and application. This development comes amidst ongoing debates about national security and data privacy concerns associated with the popular social media platform.
-
Boeing, Honeywell sued by Air India crash victim families
In a tragic incident that shook the aviation world, Air India Flight 171, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025. The disaster claimed the lives of 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 individuals on the ground. Only one passenger survived. The families of four victims have now filed a lawsuit against Boeing and Honeywell, alleging that faulty fuel cutoff switches were responsible for the crash. The lawsuit, filed in Delaware Superior Court, claims that the switches, manufactured by Honeywell, were defectively designed and positioned in a manner that made them susceptible to accidental activation during normal cockpit operations. The plaintiffs cite a 2018 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advisory that recommended inspections of the switches’ locking mechanisms to prevent inadvertent movement. However, Air India reportedly did not conduct these inspections. The preliminary investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) found that the throttle control module, which includes the fuel switches, had been replaced in 2019 and 2023 on the ill-fated aircraft. The report also noted that all applicable airworthiness directives and alert service bulletins had been complied with. Despite this, the lawsuit argues that the switches’ design and placement ‘effectively guaranteed that normal cockpit activity could result in inadvertent fuel cutoff.’ Aviation safety experts, however, have expressed skepticism, stating that the switches’ location and design make accidental activation unlikely. Boeing has declined to comment, and Honeywell has not yet responded to requests for comment. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for the deaths of Kantaben Dhirubhai Paghadal, Naavya Chirag Paghadal, Kuberbhai Patel, and Babiben Patel. Legal experts suggest that targeting manufacturers like Boeing and Honeywell is a strategic move, as they do not enjoy the same liability limits as airlines. Additionally, U.S. courts are perceived as more favorable to plaintiffs compared to many foreign jurisdictions. This case marks the first lawsuit in the United States related to the Air India Flight 171 crash.
-
Controversial church leader denies bribing ex-South Korea first lady
Han Hak-ja, the 82-year-old leader of the controversial Unification Church, has vehemently denied allegations that her organization bribed South Korea’s former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, with luxury gifts in exchange for business favors. The accusations surfaced as Han emerged from a grueling nine-hour interrogation at the prosecutor’s office, where she was questioned about the alleged bribery. Supported by assistants due to her frail health, Han dismissed the claims, stating, ‘No… Why would I do that?’
The former first lady, wife of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, is accused of accepting two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace, collectively valued at 80 million won ($57,900), from the church. Kim, who was indicted last month on charges including bribery and stock manipulation, denies all allegations. Her arrest marks a historic moment in South Korea, as it is the first time both a former president and first lady have been jailed.
Yoon, detained in January, faces trial over a failed martial law bid last year that plunged the nation into chaos. Meanwhile, Han shifted blame to a former church official, claiming he acted independently in offering the gifts. The official has since been arrested. Han’s appearance followed her refusal to comply with three prior summonses, citing post-heart surgery pain. An ambulance was reportedly on standby during her interrogation.
In a related development, conservative lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly receiving 100 million won in bribes from the church. Kweon, once a close ally of Yoon, denies the charges.
The Unification Church, formally known as The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, was founded in the 1950s by Moon Sun-myung, who declared himself the messiah. The church is infamous for its mass weddings, often involving thousands of couples matched by the organization. Critics have labeled it as ‘cult-like,’ with accusations of coercing members, known as ‘Moonies,’ into donating substantial sums.
The church gained international attention following the assassination of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The alleged assassin blamed the group for his family’s financial ruin and held a grudge against Abe for allegedly promoting the church. The organization is banned in several countries, including Singapore and, more recently, Japan.
-
Air India crash victims’ families sue aerospace firms Boeing and Honeywell
The families of four victims from the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash in June have initiated legal action in the United States against aerospace giants Boeing and Honeywell. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, alleges that negligence on the part of these companies led to the catastrophic incident, which claimed the lives of 260 people. The plaintiffs argue that faulty fuel switches, a critical component of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, were the primary cause of the crash. According to the lawsuit, both Boeing and Honeywell were aware of the design risks but failed to take corrective measures. The preliminary investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed that the fuel switch was inadvertently moved from the ‘run’ to the ‘cut-off’ position, resulting in a sudden loss of thrust. The families claim that this design flaw allowed for the accidental cutoff of fuel supply, leading to the disaster. The lawsuit also accuses the companies of not issuing adequate warnings or providing replacement parts to address the issue. Represented by the Texas-based Lanier Law Firm, the families are seeking accountability for what they describe as a preventable tragedy. A more comprehensive report on the crash is expected in 2026.
-
Groups that have bid for TikTok or expressed interest
In a significant development amidst ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions, President Donald Trump announced a landmark agreement on Tuesday that allows TikTok to continue its operations in the United States. This breakthrough comes after months of negotiations aimed at de-escalating a trade war that has rattled global markets. The deal, reminiscent of earlier discussions this year, mandates the transfer of TikTok’s American assets from China’s ByteDance to U.S. owners, potentially concluding a year-long saga.
President Trump highlighted the interest of several major companies in acquiring TikTok, extending the deadline for the sale or shutdown of the app to December 16. TikTok, boasting approximately 170 million American users, has drawn attention from various potential buyers. The new agreement stipulates that ByteDance will retain a 19.9% stake, just below the 20% threshold, while a consortium including current shareholders Susquehanna International Group, General Atlantic, and KKR will hold the remaining 80%. New investors such as Andreessen Horowitz and Oracle are also expected to participate.
Oracle, with a market value exceeding $871 billion, plays a pivotal role in TikTok’s U.S. operations, providing essential cloud computing services and managing servers hosting American user data. Additionally, investment firm Silver Lake is set to invest under the new deal. Meanwhile, tech giant Amazon, valued at over $2.5 trillion, made a last-minute offer to acquire TikTok’s assets outside of China.
Other notable bids include a late-stage proposal from Tim Stokely, founder of OnlyFans, in partnership with the Hbar Foundation, and a $30 billion all-cash offer from a group led by tech entrepreneur Jesse Tinsley, featuring YouTube personality MrBeast. AI-powered search engine startup Perplexity AI has also proposed acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations, with plans for the U.S. government to own up to 50% of the new entity upon a future IPO.
Entrepreneur Frank McCourt, with the support of Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, has launched ‘The People’s Bid,’ aiming to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations and run the app on technology that empowers users to control their data. Microsoft, previously a top bidder in 2020, remains a potential contender, with President Trump expressing a desire for a competitive bidding process.
This agreement marks a critical juncture in the U.S.-China trade relationship, addressing national security concerns while ensuring the continuity of a widely-used social media platform in America.
-
US wins release of Wells Fargo banker barred from leaving China, sources say
Chenyue Mao, a senior executive at Wells Fargo, has been permitted to leave China after months of being barred from exiting the country. The lifting of the exit ban follows high-level negotiations between U.S. and Chinese officials, marking a significant development in the ongoing efforts to ease tensions between the two economic powerhouses. Mao, who leads Wells Fargo’s international factoring and cross-border strategies, has already returned to the United States, according to sources familiar with the matter. The resolution of Mao’s case coincides with a broader agreement reached in Madrid, where the U.S. and China agreed to transfer ownership of TikTok to U.S.-controlled entities, a move aimed at de-escalating the trade war that has rattled global markets. The Chinese Foreign Ministry had previously cited Mao’s involvement in a criminal investigation as the reason for the exit ban, emphasizing that the decision was made in accordance with Chinese law. Wells Fargo, the White House, and the U.S. Embassy in Beijing have not commented on the matter. The U.S. State Department reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of American citizens but provided no further details. Mao’s case has reignited concerns among foreign businesses about the risks of operating in China, where several executives have faced similar restrictions in recent years. Wells Fargo’s presence in China is notably smaller than that of its Wall Street peers, with its Shanghai and Beijing branches employing around 63 staff as of 2024. The bank had suspended all travel to China following Mao’s exit ban, a policy that remains in effect. Other major banks, however, have continued their operations in the country without interruption. The U.S.-China Business Council, representing 270 American companies, recently concluded a visit to Beijing to strengthen bilateral commercial ties, underscoring the complex dynamics of U.S.-China relations.
-
Battling a rare brain-eating disease in an Indian state
On the eve of Onam, Kerala’s most celebrated festival, 45-year-old Sobhana lay unconscious in an ambulance, her life slipping away as her family rushed her to a hospital. Just days earlier, the fruit juice bottler from Malappuram district had complained of dizziness and high blood pressure. Doctors prescribed medication, but her condition deteriorated rapidly, culminating in her death on September 5. The cause? Naegleria fowleri, the brain-eating amoeba, a rare but deadly pathogen that enters the body through the nose during freshwater activities.
This year, Kerala has reported over 70 cases of Naegleria fowleri infections, with 19 fatalities. The victims range from a three-month-old infant to a 92-year-old man. The amoeba, which thrives in warm freshwater, causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a near-fatal brain infection. Since 2016, Kerala has seen a gradual increase in cases, though global numbers remain low, with only 488 reported since 1962, primarily in the US, Pakistan, and Australia. The disease has a staggering 95% fatality rate.
Despite the grim statistics, Kerala has made strides in combating the infection. Improved detection methods and early diagnosis have reduced the fatality rate from 23% last year to 24.5% this year. ‘Aggressive testing and customised treatment with antimicrobials and steroids have saved lives,’ says Dr. Aravind Reghukumar, head of infectious diseases at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College.
Kerala’s heavy reliance on groundwater and natural water bodies makes it particularly vulnerable. Contaminated ponds and wells have become conduits for the amoeba, with some cases linked to risky practices like vaping boiled cannabis mixed with pond water. Public health campaigns have chlorinated 2.7 million wells and posted warnings around ponds, but enforcing these measures across the state’s 5.5 million wells and 55,000 ponds remains a challenge.
Scientists warn that climate change exacerbates the risk, with warmer waters and rising temperatures creating ideal conditions for the amoeba. ‘Even a 1°C rise can trigger its spread,’ says epidemiologist Prof. Anish TS. Despite Kerala’s progress, the global implications are clear: climate change may be reshaping the map of disease, turning rare pathogens into growing threats.
-
Sabalenka withdraws from China Open due to injury
Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has announced her withdrawal from the upcoming China Open, citing an injury sustained during her triumphant run at the U.S. Open. The announcement was made by tournament organizers on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Sabalenka, who recently claimed her second consecutive U.S. Open title and fourth Grand Slam victory by defeating American Amanda Anisimova, expressed her disappointment in a statement. ‘I am sad to announce my withdrawal from the China Open this year after sustaining a small injury after the U.S. Open,’ Sabalenka said. She added that her focus will now be on recovering fully to ensure she is in peak condition for the remainder of the season. The China Open, set to take place at the National Tennis Centre in Beijing from September 24 to October 5, will now proceed without the reigning U.S. Open champion. American Coco Gauff, the defending champion, will aim to retain her title in Sabalenka’s absence. Sabalenka had reached the quarter-finals of the WTA 1000 event in Beijing last year, showcasing her prowess on the international stage.