Asia Briefs: A telescope the size of 30 football fields

A telescope the size of 30 football fields

BEIJING • China has started assembling the world's largest radio telescope, which will have a dish the size of 30 football pitches when completed, state media reported as Beijing steps up its ambitions in outer space.

The 500m Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope nestles in a bowl-shaped valley between hills in the south-western province of Guizhou, images posted online show.

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Ex-Maldives leader's jail term commuted

COLOMBO • Former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed has had his 13-year prison sentence commuted to a term under house arrest, his international lawyer Jared Genser said yesterday.

The lawyer's comments came hours after the Maldives' prosecutor-general said he would appeal against Nasheed's conviction for terrorism in March which drew heavy international criticism. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

No heavy schoolbags for Maharashtra kids MUMBAI • Children struggling under the weight of an oversized schoolbag are a common sight the world over, but now one Indian state has ordered parents to ensure children lighten their load.

The government of Maharashtra has passed a resolution saying no child must carry to school a backpack that exceeds 10 per cent of his body weight.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 25, 2015, with the headline Asia Briefs: A telescope the size of 30 football fields. Subscribe