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
Thailand plans to replace the existing TM6 paper forms with the new Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) beginning May 1, to improve security and convenience for international travellers. According to immigration officials, the TDAC system will dramatically improve screening for transnational criminals entering the country. Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, chief of Immigration Division 2 at Suvarnabhumi Airport, has stated that the new procedure will apply to all international arrivals by sea, air, or land. Travellers wishing to visit Thailand must submit their applications via the TDAC web
The Indian Navy successfully tested a Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) from an indigenous warship, the INS Surat, in the Arabian Sea. The missile test, undertaken as part of an ongoing operation, was a crucial step towards improving India's air defence capabilities. The Indian Navy announced the successful test with a post on the social media platform X, emphasising the missile's precision in targeting sea-skimming threats. This test comes shortly before the Pakistan Navy's scheduled surface-to-surface missile testing in the same region. The MR-SAM missile system is meant to be
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has authorised the design for the country's first hybrid heliport at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, Zayed Port. This strategic decision marks the start of a new chapter in the UAE's urban air mobility journey. The terminal, a thriving hub that receives over 650,000 cruise tourists each year, was chosen for its prominent location and strong visibility. This project was created through a collaboration between AD Ports Group, Falcon Aviation Services, and Archer Aviation. The heliport is intended to accommodate both conventional helicopters and
The UAE has made a pioneering step by introducing the use of artificial intelligence in law drafting, review, and amendment. This effort, led by Dubai Ruler and UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is the first of its kind in the world and aims to improve the legislative process through the use of cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology. According to the Financial Times, the AI-powered approach is projected to speed up lawmaking by up to 70 percent. The program will be implemented and overseen by the newly constituted government institution, the Regulatory Inte
ISRO, India's space agency, has successfully completed the second satellite docking as part of its ambitious SpaDEX program, marking another significant milestone in the country's expanding proficiency in advanced space operations. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh declared the milestone on Monday via a post on the social media platform X. Dr. Singh expressed pride in the mission's development and highlighted its importance to India's space exploration aspirations. He noted that the SpaDEX mission was launched from Sriharikota on December 30, 2024, using the PSLV-C60 rocket. The first sate
India has successfully tested a homegrown directed energy weapon (DEW) system, which represents a substantial improvement in the country's defence capabilities. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) created the 30-kilowatt laser weapon, which was tested at the National Open Air Range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The demonstration demonstrated its capacity to neutralise fixed-wing drones, swarm drones, surveillance devices, and other threats with high precision. This achievement places India in a small group of countries that own modern laser weapon systems, including the
The UAE Cabinet has approved Google Cloud's establishment of its first Cybersecurity Excellence Centre in Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the country's commitment to digital transformation and cyber resilience. This effort is consistent with the UAE's objective of becoming a global cybersecurity leader and strengthens its strategic investment in new technologies. The new center's goal is to build a safe digital ecosystem that encourages innovation while protecting businesses and institutions from cyber threats. It also underscores the UAE's overarching goal of developing indigenous talent and stren