GISEC Global 2025, hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre, saw India and the UAE strengthen their bilateral cybersecurity engagement. The Data Security Council of India (DSCI), in collaboration with CIO Klub, held the second edition of the Indo-UAE Cybersecurity Exchange, which aimed to encourage strategic engagement between the two countries in the digital domain. Participants included top-tier cybersecurity professionals, legislators, and technology executives from India and the UAE. DSCI brought up a dedicated India Pavilion, which showcased over 15 Indian cybersecurity startups. These
India aims to considerably improve its space-based defence infrastructure by launching 52 surveillance satellites over the next five years. Pawan Kumar Goenka, Chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), verified the development during the Global Space Exploration Conference-2025. The ambitious program intends to improve real-time monitoring and surveillance capabilities for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Goenka stated that, while the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has historically overseen such initiatives, private-sector involvem
The inaugural Governance of Emerging Technologies Summit (GETS 2025) was held in Abu Dhabi, and it was hosted by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. The Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) organised the event in collaboration with the UAE Public Prosecution, which was a regional first in technology governance. The conference brought together policymakers, legal experts, technology developers, and youth leaders to discuss frameworks for the ethical use of modern technologies. Day one drew ove
India has put forward a "zero-for-zero" tariff proposal to the United States, seeking to eliminate import duties on steel, auto parts, and pharmaceutical products up to a certain amount. The idea is part of broader trade negotiations that aim to reach a bilateral deal between the two countries by the fall of 2025. The concept was apparently suggested by Indian officials during their late-April visit to Washington. The duty-free agreement would only apply to certain import quantities. Any volume above the agreed-upon threshold would still be subject to India's usual tariff charges. This ste
Hong Kong has launched a new drive to encourage additional listings from technology and biotechnology companies. The move is part of the city's overall plan to strengthen its position as a global financial hub and capitalise on Chinese enterprises' growing interest in raising funds overseas. The new framework, known as the "technology enterprises channel," was announced on Tuesday and is intended to make the listing process more efficient. It will make it easier for specialist IT firms and biotech enterprises to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The strategy is supported by the exchang
Thailand has taken a significant step towards strengthening its national cybersecurity framework by completing the second phase of its large-scale training program. Over 100,000 people across the country have now been taught critical cybersecurity skills. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society leads this program, known as the "Intensive Cybersecurity Capacity Building Program II," which is carried out by the National Cybersecurity Agency. Deputy Prime Minister and DE Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong presided over the programme's conclusion ceremony, emphasising its significance in bu
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a vast global nuclear fusion endeavour, has reached a significant milestone by assembling the world's most powerful magnet. Located in southern France and backed by over 30 countries, including the U.S., China, EU nations, Russia, and Japan, ITER attempts to reproduce the sun’s energy by fusing atomic nuclei at extremely high temperatures. Central to this process is a magnetic system that confines the heated plasma in a regulated region, and the final piece—called the central solenoid—has now been developed and tested in the U
In a decisive move to encourage greener transportation and enhance its electric vehicle industry, Thailand's Cabinet has authorized a significant modification to the excise duty structure for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The modification, announced on Tuesday, will take effect on January 1, 2026. The newly adopted regulation lowers the excise tax rate to 5% for PHEVs that can travel at least 80 km exclusively on electricity. This represents a shift from the old system, in which many criteria influenced taxation. The electric driving range will now be the sole basis for computi
Tamil Nadu has become the first Indian state to establish a dedicated Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, intending to increase its presence in the national electronics landscape. The plan, launched by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, aims to supplement the Union government's incentives and attract ₹30,000 crore in investments. It is estimated to generate more than 60,000 jobs, considerably bolstering the state's electronics manufacturing sector. The new policy provides matching payments to eligible component makers through the Centre's system. It places Tamil Nadu as a key location
The UAE continues to make significant progress in building the digital future, driven by strategic investments in artificial intelligence and cutting-edge infrastructure. Since launching the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in 2017, the country has prioritised sectors such as healthcare, education, renewable energy, transportation, and the environment, with the goal of being the world's leading AI investor by 2031. The UAE has been recognised as a leader in AI and blockchain usage. It has topped the globe in fibre-to-the-home network coverage for nine years in a row, now covering 9