The United Arab Emirates has approved a unified licensing framework for higher education institutions, introducing a single national system to regulate universities and strengthen governance, quality and accountability across the sector. Approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the framework establishes common standards for universities operating in the UAE and is to be applied to all higher education institutions from 2026. Developed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the framework gives a unified re
The United States has introduced new visa regulations for foreign students and exchange visitors, updating long-standing immigration rules to strengthen oversight while preserving the integrity of temporary visa programmes. Under the revised framework, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has replaced the previous system of indefinite visa admissions with fixed periods of stay for F, J, and I visas, which cover international students, exchange visitors, and foreign media representatives. The changes are aimed at ensuring visa holders complete the purpose of their visit without remaini
African countries have secured US$900 million in new funding commitments to boost clean cooking, marking a major outcome of the Africa Clean Cooking Summit held in Nairobi. The funding forms part of a broader effort to address one of the continent's most pressing development challenges, with more than 923 million people in Africa still relying on traditional cooking methods such as firewood and charcoal. According to summit organisers, these practices contribute to widespread health problems, environmental degradation and economic hardship. The commitments were announced during a high-l
A new study led by Curtin University has found that the risk of type 2 diabetes is influenced not only by body weight but also by muscle health, suggesting that preserving muscle mass could play a key role in diabetes prevention. Published in one of the world's leading diabetes journals, the research analysed health data from nearly 480,000 adults over 14 years, all of whom were diabetic free at the start of the study. Researchers focused on people with sarcopenic obesity, characterised by both excess body fat and reduced muscle mass. The findings showed that people with sarcopeni
Thailand has once again revised its visa policy for Indian travellers, bringing back 30-day visa-free entry after briefly planning to move Indians to the Visa on Arrival (VOA) scheme. The Thai Cabinet approved the revised policy on July 15, allowing Indian passport holders to visit the country without a visa for up to 30 days. The decision reverses an earlier proposal that would have required Indian travellers to obtain a visa on arrival. According to Thai authorities, the change follows a decline in visitor numbers from India after uncertainty surrounding the country's visa policy. Off
Researchers have developed a honeycomb-inspired solar panel design that could significantly improve solar panel efficiency by capturing more sunlight throughout the day. The new approach uses a hexagonal honeycomb geometry, inspired by beehives, to overcome challenges faced by conventional flat solar panels. As the sun moves across the sky, traditional panels often reflect part of the incoming sunlight rather than absorbing it, reducing overall energy generation. According to the researchers, the honeycomb structure creates multiple angled surfaces that cause reflected light to bounce b
Indian music duo Colonial Cousins has returned to the spotlight after presenting their latest vinyl album, Krishna, to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Australia. Comprising legendary singer Hariharan and composer-singer Lesle Lewis, Colonial Cousins is widely regarded as one of India's most influential fusion acts. The duo pioneered the blend of Indian classical music with Western genres such as pop, rock, and jazz, helping popularise Indian fusion music globally. Formed in the 1990s, Colonial Cousins rose to prominence with thei
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Prambanan Temple in Indonesia, one of Southeast Asia's most significant Hindu monuments and a lasting symbol of the shared civilisational ties between India and Indonesia. Located 17 kilometres from Yogyakarta, Prambanan Temple is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 9th century during the Ancient Mataram Kingdom, the complex is dedicated to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva, the holy trinity. The temple complex consisted of nearly 240 structures, with the 47-metre
Canada is emerging as a potential leader in white hydrogen, after scientists confirmed that naturally occurring hydrogen gas beneath the country's ancient rock formations could become a new source of clean energy. Researchers from the University of Toronto found that underground rocks near the historic Timmins mining region in Ontario naturally produce hydrogen over long periods. Their study estimates that nearly 15,000 boreholes at the site could generate more than 140 metric tonnes of hydrogen annually, enough to produce approximately 4.7 million kilowatt-hours of energy each year and po
Students across the UAE have outperformed global averages in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, despite disruptions caused by regional conflict and exam cancellations. According to results released by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO), UAE students recorded an average diploma score of 35.31 points, surpassing the global average of 31 points. The country achieved a 91% pass rate, well above the worldwide average. The strong performance comes after the IB introduced a Non-Exam Contingency Measure (NECM) for selected assessments following disruptions l