On the occasion of Ram Navami, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's first vertical lift sea bridge, the New Pamban Bridge, on Sunday. Along with the opening, PM Modi also launched the Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) rail service, which will improve regional connectivity. After his three-day state visit to Sri Lanka, the PM travelled to Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. The freshly constructed Pamban Bridge, an engineering marvel, connects Rameswaram to the mainland and provides an uninterrupted rail link. The structure spans 2.08 km and has 99 spans, including a 72.5-meter vertical lift
A UAE-based company has proposed an ambitious high-speed underwater rail link between Mumbai and Dubai, seeking to reduce journey time to two hours. The National Advisor Bureau Limited intends to build a train capable of reaching speeds of 600–1,000 km/h, providing a novel alternative to air travel. The project, first suggested a few years ago, is still being discussed, with no major progress on approvals or construction. In addition to passenger transportation, the rail line is planned to improve the transit of goods, particularly crude oil, thereby improving trade links between India a
Kazakhstan has reported the discovery of the country's largest rare earth metals deposit, which could have a substantial impact on the worldwide supply of these important elements. The deposit, located in the Karaganda region, includes roughly one million tonnes of rare earth elements, including cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and yttrium. These materials are critical to advanced technology, renewable energy solutions, and high-tech enterprises. The country's industry ministry said that the overall resource estimate at the site, known as "New Kazakhstan," might exceed 20 million tonnes wi
Thailand is expected to adopt an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for visa-exempt tourists by June 2025. A trial program will begin in December 2024, allowing travelers and immigration authorities to adapt to the new system. This measure aligns Thailand with nations such as the US, UK, Australia, Canada, India, and Russia, where digital pre-approval is now necessary before admission. Under the new approach, tourists from qualified countries must apply online before traveling. Once granted, they can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, with the opportunity to extend for 30 more days. Wh
The SCES has announced plans to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Aryabhata, India's first satellite, on April 19, 2025. The initiative intends to ignite students' interest in space science and technology by organising a variety of events throughout SCES-managed institutions. Celebrations will be held at all SCES-managed educational institutions, including nine schools. These institutions, spread across Telangana's coal belt region, will actively participate in the golden jubilee celebration. Quiz challenges, essay writing, and drawing contests will be among the interesting activities
International schooling in India was once considered an elite choice, but it is now widely accepted. India now has the world's second-largest number of foreign schools associated with global education boards such as the IB and Cambridge. A decade ago, these schools were uncommon, but now, parents across the country are discussing whether to use Indian boards or foreign curriculums. At the start of the twenty-first century, only eight Indian schools provided the IB programme, and the presence of Cambridge IGCSE was too minor to mention. In 2011-12, there were 197 Cambridge and 99 IB schools
India has approved a major defence procurement, purchasing 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) 'Prachand' from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This momentous transaction, at Rs 62,500 crore, is the highest ever for indigenous defence procurement. The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the order, which included 66 helicopters for the Indian Air Force and 90 for the Indian Army. HAL will build these advanced helicopters at its Bengaluru and Tumkur plants in Karnataka, with deliveries beginning within three years and continuing for the next five years. The 'Prachand' is uniquely capab
During the Holy Month of Ramadan, the UAE Ministry of Finance conducted four humanitarian and social programs to demonstrate its commitment to social responsibility and volunteerism. These activities are consistent with the goals of the "Year of Community 2025," which seeks to enhance social cohesion, provide assistance to vulnerable populations, and improve their quality of life. The four major initiatives—Ramadan Mir, Supporting Humanitarian Cases, Inspired by Zayed's Generosity, and "Eid Gifts on Us"—reflect the ministry's efforts to promote generosity and inclusivity. Undersecretar
Singapore has established a cutting-edge training facility to strengthen maritime cybersecurity defences. This effort intends to provide industry personnel with the necessary capabilities to combat growing digital threats that may disrupt maritime operations. The facility, called the Maritime Testbed of Shipboard Operational Technology (MariOT), is the world's first cyber-physical training platform. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) collaborated on its development. The facility is designed to imitate real-world s
France plans to strengthen its academic and scientific presence in the Asia-Pacific region by attending the 2025 Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) conference in New Delhi. The five-day event, organised by Campus France, will bring together around 35 French higher education institutions from March 24 to 28 at Yashoboomi. The campaign complements France's overarching goal of attracting 30,000 Indian students by 2030. Under the French Pavilion, the conference will accommodate 120 French participants as well as five Asian diplomatic representatives. APAIE, a worldwid