China’s manufacturing success was attributed to cheap labour. That perception has now changed completely. Factory wages in China have climbed close to eight dollars per hour, far higher than those in Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and India. By cost logic alone, China should have lost its position as the world’s manufacturing hub. Instead, it continues to dominate global production, contributing nearly 28 percent of worldwide manufacturing output. The reason lies not in wages, but in produc

Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and armed conflicts across multiple regions, China quietly achieved two major economic milestones in 2025, underscoring its continued influence over global manufacturing and trade. Official data released this month shows that the country recorded the largest annual trade surplus in its history while further consolidating its position as the world’s leading automobile producer and seller. These achievements came despite persistent pressures

Nearly 1,000 workers across Illinois are expected to lose their jobs during the first half of the year, according to recent data released through the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act. A spreadsheet published by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shows that employers across several industries issued layoff notices affecting a total of 985 employees during November alone. State officials reported that most of the layoffs are scheduled to begin in

An iconic feature of Newark’s industrial skyline is being dismantled as ownership of the city’s longtime Anheuser-Busch brewery changes hands. Crews arrived at the sprawling factory complex early Friday morning, signaling the start of work to remove the illuminated eagle that has stood above the brewery for decades. The towering sign, visible from surrounding neighborhoods and major roadways, has long been associated with the facility and has become a familiar sight for generations of res

Thailand has defended its military’s decision to remove a Hindu statue located along its border with Cambodia, stating that the action was necessary to establish control over a disputed frontier area. The move, which took place on December 25, has sparked criticism and renewed debate over border management and cultural sensitivity in the region. According to Thai authorities, the statue was situated in an area that remains contested between Thailand and Cambodia. Officials said th

China has strongly criticised a recent Pentagon report, calling it irresponsible, misleading, and an attempt to create divisions between Beijing and New Delhi while exaggerating the so-called China threat narrative. Responding sharply, Chinese officials accused the United States of distorting China’s defence policy and interfering in its internal affairs to justify Washington’s continued military dominance. Speaking at a media briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokes

US President Donald Trump has announced an ambitious plan to revive American naval dominance with the creation of a new class of heavily armed battleships named after himself. The announcement was made from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where he introduced what he called the Golden Fleet, a sweeping initiative aimed at modernising and expanding the US Navy through large-scale shipbuildi

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has issued a clear warning to all companies supplying military platforms and equipment to India, stating that any vendor—domestic or international—will face termination of contracts if they fail to deliver within stipulated deadlines. The announcement comes as delays in defence procurement continue to impact operational planning for the armed forces, including setbacks flagged earlier by Air Force Chief Amar Preet Singh, who acknowledged that delivery

India’s economy recorded a faster pace of expansion in the July–September quarter, with official data showing that gross domestic product rose 8.2% year-on-year. The acceleration reflects a combination of stronger consumer demand, a revival in manufacturing activity, and accelerated production schedules ahead of India’s major festive season. Economists had widely expected the quarter to deliver robust growth, but the latest figure surpassed the projected 7.3% expansion for the period, e

In 2025, as the Indian Navy launches Exercise Trishul off the coast of Gujarat, history echoes across the Arabian Sea. The large-scale tri-services drill, featuring warships, fighter jets, tanks, and helicopters, is designed to test India’s combat readiness along its south-western frontier. This very coastline holds immense historical significance — it was here, sixty years ago, that the Pakistan Navy attempted a bold attack on the temple town of Dwarka during the Indo-Pak War of 1965, an

MARION, Ohio — Whirlpool Corporation announced Wednesday a $300 million investment across two of its key Ohio manufacturing facilities, marking one of the company’s largest expansions in recent years. The investment aims to strengthen Whirlpool’s production capacity for its next generation of washers and dryers, while also creating hundreds of new jobs and supporting thousands more indirectly across the state. According to the Michigan-based appliance manufacturer, the capital

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have launched multiple counter-terrorism operations aimed at neutralising militant threats across the Union Territory. The operations, currently underway in the Rajouri and Udhampur districts, reflect an intensified effort by security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the region amid a recent uptick in infiltration and terror-related incidents. The first major operation began late Tuesday night in the Beeranthub area of Rajouri district

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has introduced a model curriculum for a Minor Degree in Defence Technology, marking a significant move toward strengthening India’s defence education framework. The programme is designed for undergraduate engineering and technology students who wish to pursue careers in defence research, the armed forces, and defence manufacturing industries. This initiative opens new opportunities for young engineers to contribute to the nation’s securit

In a landmark ceremony attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Indian Navy commissioned two Nilgiri-class stealth frigates, INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri, on Tuesday. The warships, built under Project 17 Alpha (P-17A), mark a major milestone in India’s indigenous shipbuilding program with over 75 percent homegrown content. This is the first instance where two major warships from separate premier shipyard

A major coalition representing auto parts suppliers in the United States has issued a stark warning about the looming threat to the automotive supply chain caused by China's recent restrictions on rare earth exports. The group, MEMA – The Vehicle Suppliers Association – called for urgent government intervention, saying the limited access to these critical materials could quickly spiral into a nationwide auto manufacturing disruption. Rare earth elements, essenti

The long-awaited trade deal between India and the United States is expected to materialize in the near future, according to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. Speaking on June 2, 2025, at the eighth edition of the Leadership Summit hosted by the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington, Mr. Lutnick shared insights on the progress of the negotiations, highlighting that India stands to gain favorable tariffs on multiple manufacturing sectors, providing it a competitive advan

A new political tug-of-war has emerged between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh over the expansion of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s leading defence and aerospace manufacturer. The controversy was triggered after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu pitched the idea of setting up a new greenfield HAL facility in Lepakshi, just 70 km from the Karnataka border. This proposal, made during his recent meetings with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, aims to support

In a recent address from Morristown, New Jersey, U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his administration's commitment to using tariffs as a tool to boost domestic manufacturing, particularly in sectors such as military equipment and advanced technology. Speaking before boarding Air Force One, Trump clarified that his tariff agenda is not intended to revive traditional textile production like sneakers and T-shirts, but rather to prioritize manufacturing of tanks, artificial intelligence

In a series of statements that have stirred global business conversations, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Apple, insisting that the tech giant must manufacture iPhones within the United States if it intends to sell them in the American market. Speaking from the Oval Office while signing multiple executive orders aimed at strengthening the U.S. nuclear power sector, Trump said it is acceptable for Apple to go to India to build plants, but under no circumstances