Tsunami alert activated for Greece after magnitude 6 earthquake
An earthquake of magnitude 6.0 struck off the coast of Crete in Greece. As per the German Research Center for Geosciences, the earthquake has now triggered a tsunami evaluation for the European nation.
As per GFZ, the earthquake struck at a depth of 77km.
As per ESMC, a tsunami risk is under evaluation. "Depending on earthquake-coastline distance, tsunamis can be local (<100km), regional (<1000km), or distant (>1000km)," stated the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre.
This is a developing story...
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Macron challenges Europe to rival US, China in space
By Tim Hepher, Giulia Segreti, Makini Brice PARIS: President Emmanuel Macron threw France's backing behind plans for a European satellite manufacturing champion and called for accelerated deployment of Starlink-type satellites as he declared space the new theatre for world power competition. Speaking at the Paris Airshow on Friday, after France moved to take control of Starlink competitor Eutelsat , Macron called for an energetic push spanning launchers to manufacturing and services as he set out a strategy to counter the sprawling rocket-to-telecoms interests of U.S. billionaire Elon Musk. Staged amid the conflict between Israel and Iran, the world's largest aerospace event has mostly been dominated by geopolitical and trade tensions and fragile supply chains, rather than the usual glittering jetliner order announcements. On Friday, attention turned from defence displays to space. "At the intersection of all these public and private questions, as well as civil, military, scientific and industrial ones, space has in some way become a gauge of international power," Macron said in a speech to delegates. Europe has taken a lead in Earth observation but has struggled for years to keep up with the United States and China in a domain now considered as strategic as the planet's oceans. It lost independent access to orbit for more than a year in 2023 following technical problems, delays and a breakdown of ties with Russia over Ukraine that halted use of Soyuz rockets. Despite Europe being the world's largest exporter of satellites, its two main manufacturers - Airbus and a tie-up between Thales and Italy's Leonardo - have struggled to make money and want to pool those activities. "They have our full support and confidence. I want us to build this new champion as soon as possible," Macron said. "This is what will allow us, as Europeans, to have the scale to improve competitiveness and volume. It's a sector consolidation." Under pressure from Musk's cheaper low Earth-orbit Starlink satellites and a shift away from bespoke satellites in higher orbit, Airbus, Thales and Leonardo have said they are discussing plans code-named Project Bromo to forge a combined venture. Previous efforts to pool satellite-making have been thwarted by competition concerns. DEFENCE SPENDING In a third battleground, the importance of satellite services and connectivity has been highlighted by Ukraine. On Thursday, France agreed to inject $1.55 billion into debt-laden Eutelsat, sending its shares soaring. U.S. and Chinese spending on space dwarfs European budgets and insiders say industrial squabbling has curbed co-operation. The European Space Agency says the U.S. accounted for nearly two-thirds of the global space budget in 2023; Europe just 11%. Space budgets may get a lift from defence funds flowing into the sector. But fiscal room for Macron's new agenda is tight. "Partnership between public and private capital will be needed and this requires a considerable effort", said Jean-Pierre Darnis, associate fellow at the Foundation for Strategic Research. France is struggling to get public finances under control after spending spiralled higher last year. Europe is already hiking defence spending after U.S. President Donald Trump's team made clear that the United States was no longer willing to be the main guarantor of Europe's security. "The big story of this show is sovereignty in the wake of some of the statements by (Trump) questioning U.S. commitment to Europe and to NATO," said Vago Muradian, founder of the Defense & Aerospace Report. Macron flew into Le Bourget days before a NATO summit on a French Air Force A400M transport plane - itself a symbol of Europe's shifting priorities after years of battles over costs. The future of Europe's troop plane had been under threat after some of its European NATO sponsor nations including France and Spain slowed the pace of deliveries or cut their orders. Exports have also fallen short of expectations. But Airbus signed an agreement with procurement agency OCCAR at the show to stabilise production until 2029. Weapons makers and buyers are increasingly touting the label "ITAR-free" to avoid getting caught up in U.S. export controls for certain components, a senior European industry official said. ITAR stands for International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Some U.S. suppliers are scoping out ways of offering ITAR-free product lines to avoid being left out by the European spending wave, analysts said. The commercial side of the show fell silent on Friday after being overshadowed by last week's crash of an Air India Boeing 787 jet in India. Boeing sat out any announcements as Airbus and Embraer rolled out deals earlier in the week. Some airlines are shunning such shows to announce purchases in Washington or other capitals as aircraft become a currency of choice in a new style of transactional politics, delegates said. Organisers said the show nonetheless had record attendance.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Time of India
Which IITs made it to the QS World University Rankings 2026? A comparative analysis of their performance this year
India makes biggest leap in QS World Rankings 2026, IIT Delhi leads at 123rd. (Getty Images) The QS World University Rankings 2026, released on June 18, 2025, by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), have once again showcased the competitive landscape of higher education worldwide. This year's edition assessed over 1,500 universities from 106 locations, making it the most comprehensive ranking to date. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has maintained its place at the summit of global academia, securing the number one position with a perfect overall score of 100. Following MIT, Imperial College London and Stanford University secured the second and third spots respectively, marking a strong presence of North American and European universities in the global top ten. India has also made significant strides, with 54 universities featured in the QS rankings. Leading this contingent are the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), and Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), ranking 123rd, 129th, and 180th globally respectively. This marked progress reflects India's expanding footprint on the global academic map and underscores the continuing rise of its premier institutions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Funding Food Innovation—Apply Now Zayed Sustainability Prize Apply Now Undo The legacy and strengths of IITs in India The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) form the cornerstone of India's technological education and research since their inception. The first IIT was established in 1951 at Kharagpur, and over the decades, the network has grown to encompass 23 institutes across the country. Each IIT boasts distinct strengths, but all share a commitment to excellence in engineering, technology, and science education. IIT Delhi, established in 1961, is often regarded as the flagship institute of the IIT system. Its reputation is bolstered by a robust employer reputation score of 95 and an academic reputation score of 67.9 in the QS rankings 2026. It is renowned for its strong industry linkages and research output, producing graduates who are highly sought after worldwide. IIT Bombay, founded in 1958, combines academic rigour with a vibrant campus culture and close industry collaborations. It ranks just behind IIT Delhi with a high employer reputation score of 97 and academic reputation of 73.3. This institution has consistently been a pioneer in research innovation and entrepreneurship. IIT Madras, set up in 1959, is noted for its rigorous academic programmes and strong research focus, especially in engineering and technology. It recorded an overall score of 58.4 in QS 2026 and has made significant improvements, rising from 227th to 180th in the rankings, indicating its growing global stature. IIT Kharagpur, the first IIT established in 1951, remains a pivotal centre for research and education with a wide range of academic disciplines. With an overall score of 54.5, it continues to build on its legacy of producing top-tier engineers and researchers. Other established IITs like Kanpur (est. 1959), Guwahati (est. 1994), and Roorkee (est. 1847 as Thomason College, later IIT from 2001) hold steady rankings in the mid-200s and 300s, reflecting steady performance and regional academic leadership. Newer IITs such as Indore (2009), BHU Varanasi (2012 merger), Hyderabad (2008), Gandhinagar (2008), and Bhubaneswar (2008) have rapidly gained recognition. Their focus on interdisciplinary research and innovation is reflected in their QS rankings and overall scores, albeit lower than the older IITs, yet demonstrating upward momentum. IITs in QS World University Rankings 2026: Detailed data S. No. Institution Rank (2026) Previous Rank (2025) Overall Score Academic Reputation Employer Reputation Employment Outcomes 1 Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) 123 150 65.5 67.9 95 51 2 Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) 129 118 64.8 73 97 72.6 3 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) 180 227 58.4 57 86 46 4 Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IITKGP) 215 222 54.5 43 79 48 5 Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore 219 211 54.2 56.6 46.4 15 6 Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) 222 263 54 49.4 82.7 47.6 7 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) 334 344 42.3 25.4 62 8.7 8 Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR) 339 335 42.2 26.8 52 20 9 Indian Institute of Technology Indore 556 477 30 8 17 5 10 Indian Institute of Technology BHU Varanasi 566 531 29.3 9.3 19 10 11 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) 664 681-690 26.4 10.3 15 6.5 12 Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) 801-850 -- n/a 7 9 2 13 Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar (IIT BBS) 951-1000 951-1000 n/a 5 12 2 Comparative analysis of IITs in QS 2026 The rankings clearly indicate that IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay maintain their dominance in both academic and employer reputation, highlighting their status as India's premier technological institutions. IIT Delhi edges ahead with a slightly higher overall score, despite IIT Bombay's marginally higher employer reputation. IIT Madras's remarkable rise in rank from 227 to 180 is a testament to its expanding research capabilities and internationalisation efforts. The middle-tier IITs—Kharagpur and Kanpur—display stable performance with overall scores in the mid-50s. These institutes show room for improvement, especially in enhancing their employer reputation and employment outcomes to boost their rankings further. IIT Guwahati and Roorkee, while ranking lower, continue to solidify their roles as key academic centres in their respective regions. Their relatively lower scores in employment outcomes point to potential areas for development, particularly in strengthening industry collaborations and graduate placements. The newer IITs, such as Indore, BHU Varanasi, Hyderabad, Gandhinagar, and Bhubaneswar, are gradually carving their niche. Although their overall scores and reputations are currently modest, these institutions' focus on innovative curricula and research promises future growth. Notably, IIT Gandhinagar and IIT Bhubaneswar, despite lower scores, benefit from strategic academic plans that emphasise interdisciplinary learning and entrepreneurship. This spectrum of rankings across the IIT system reflects India's multifaceted approach to expanding quality higher education and research. As established IITs continue to excel, the newer institutes are progressing steadily, collectively raising India's profile on the global academic stage. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Trump's $175 billion ‘Golden Dome' missile shield plan sparks skepticism, warnings of arms race
US President Donald Trump's ambitious plan to build a space-based missile defense system called the 'Golden Dome' is drawing sharp criticism from defense analysts, scientists, and global powers, who warn the $175 billion project could be a technical dead-end and trigger a new nuclear arms race. Trump unveiled the plan last month, vowing that the United States would deploy an orbiting shield to intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) from adversaries like China, Russia, or North Korea by the end of his proposed second term in 2029. The system, inspired by Israel's Iron Dome, would be far more complex, designed to shoot down much larger, faster threats from across the globe. 'Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world,' Trump claimed. But defense experts are deeply skeptical. 'I'm not holding my breath,' said Thomas Withington, associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). 'The challenges are so significant at this stage that they may simply be unrealistic within the timeframes that the Trump administration envisages.' Space lasers and satellite swarms The proposed system would rely on detecting missiles during their 'boost phase' — the initial minutes after launch when the rocket is most visible from space. But to successfully intercept a single ICBM during this window, hundreds of interceptor satellites would need to be in constant orbit. 'It would take about 950 interceptors in orbit to ensure at least one is always in range,' said Todd Harrison from the American Enterprise Institute. 'To counter a salvo of 10 missiles, you'd need nearly 9,500 interceptors.' The US Congressional Budget Office has estimated that even a limited version of the system, designed to stop just one or two ICBMs, would cost between $161 billion and $542 billion. The plan also includes space-based lasers to destroy missiles without generating debris. But European defense contractors say such capabilities are 'still beyond what even the Americans are capable of doing.' 'It's just an excellent way to give the US defense industry substantial funding,' one anonymous contractor told reporters, 'without necessarily aiming for actual deployment.' Risk of a global arms race Critics also warn of geopolitical fallout. Analysts say the system could threaten the principle of mutually assured destruction, which underpins global nuclear stability. 'If Washington is perceived to be developing a shield that could one day neutralize a retaliatory nuclear strike, it risks triggering a dangerous global arms race,' said Julia Cournoyer, a research associate at Chatham House. China, Russia, and North Korea have already condemned the plan. Beijing and Moscow called it 'deeply destabilizing,' while Pyongyang labelled it 'very dangerous.' The concept echoes Ronald Reagan's 1980s Strategic Defense Initiative, which also envisioned satellite interceptors but was ultimately scrapped due to cost and feasibility concerns. Still, some speculate Trump may be using the proposal as a bargaining chip in future arms control talks. 'It may be that the Trump administration hopes to bring China and Russia to the table to negotiate nuclear reductions or revive arms control dialogue,' said Withington.
