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
Meerut's Sanket Kumar joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as a Scientist at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Tamil Nadu after relying entirely on self-study, YouTube lectures and disciplined preparation, proving that one setback does not define success. Sanket narrowly missed qualifying for JEE Advanced in his first attempt and decided to take a drop year instead of joining a college immediately. He used handwritten notes, watched online lectures and solved previous years' question papers, while focusing on improving his time management and conceptual understanding.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was conferred Slovakia’s highest national honour, the Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class), during a ceremony in Bratislava on Monday. Slovak President Peter Pellegrini presented the award in recognition of Modi’s contributions to strengthening ties between India and Slovakia. The honour marks the 33rd international award received by the Indian Prime Minister. It comes during his historic visit to Slovakia—the first by an Indian Prime Minister since the country gained independence in 1993. Expressing gratitude after receiving the award, Mod
Vietnam has announced ambitious plans to develop between 6,000 MW and 17,000 MW of offshore wind (OSW) power capacity between 2030 and 2035, as the country accelerates its transition toward renewable energy and long-term energy security. The announcement was made during the APAC Wind Energy Summit 2026 in Hanoi, where Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long said the revised Power Development Plan VIII places offshore wind power as the centre of Vietnam’s national energy strategy. Describing the target as highly ambitious, Long said the expansion of offshore
Malaysia and Japan have agreed to cooperate in rare earth supply chains, energy security and advanced technologies following Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s three-day visit to Japan, where he held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. According to a joint statement issued after the summit, countries pledged to strengthen economic security cooperation amid growing concerns over the stability of global supply chains. The discussions emphasised critical minerals and rare earth resources as sectors that have gained strategic importance following China’s restrictions o