The Economic Times

Thai nationals can now receive a free 30-day e-Tourist visa with double entry. This special arrangement is available through the official Indian visa portal online. The gratis visa facility will remain in effect until the end of December 2027. This initiative aims to boost tourism and strengthen people-to-people connections. India continues its efforts to enhance ties with Southeast Asian nations.

For NRIs earning in stronger foreign currencies such as dollars, pounds or dirhams, investing in India can offer greater rupee purchasing power. However, experts caution that currency strength alone does not make someone a better investor.

A Department of Homeland Security advertisement featuring Mr Singh has ignited controversy. Advocacy groups have labeled the campaign as racist and anti-American profiling. The department used AI-generated imagery and Transformers characters in its posts. This campaign targets unlicensed commercial drivers and foreign nationals. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi also condemned the government's demonizing message.

For NRIs, establishing or converting an existing bank account is vital upon confirming non-residence status. An NRO account facilitates the efficient management of deposits and income generated in India.

Everyone is excited and motivated to play against us, Luis Enrique said on Tuesday. We have to accept it and step out of our comfort zone. Im ready to show that you have to reinvent yourself every day. PSG is not in the best possible form, taking just two points from three games in Ligue 1 and conceding six goals already.

Departing flights faced disruptions across Britain due to a technical issue. Air traffic control provider NATS experienced a problem which affected departures. Arriving flights were not impacted by the technical difficulties at this time. Heathrow Airport stated they are supporting NATS to resolve the issue quickly. Passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest flight information.

...After the law firm a team of dentists moved in, and then the house was rented to a travel magazine that folded in less than two years. The house was beautiful and comfortable and in remarkably good condition considering how old it was, but by then no one, or very few people, wanted to settle in that neighbourhood.

Rishi Madlani, a British Indian, is a candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras parliamentary seat. He hopes to leverage his extensive local experience and commitment to public service. Madlani's candidacy is supported by prominent British Indian diaspora groups. He aims to address affordable housing and climate change issues. The by-election is anticipated to be a significant electoral contest.

Non-resident Indians should note that leaving the UK doesn't automatically terminate tax residency. Retaining connections might keep your tax status intact even after relocating. Income and capital gains sourced from the UK could still be liable for UK tax post-departure. Additionally, Indian tax residents are required to report foreign assets and income. Seeking professional advice is essential for a smooth financial adjustment when returning to India.

A Qantas flight from Queenstown to Sydney diverted to Christchurch after a suspected engine issue. Footage showed flames appearing from the aircraft's left engine shortly after take-off. Pilots managed the situation effectively, and the aircraft landed safely in Christchurch. Passengers experienced a distressing event and are receiving support and accommodation. The exact cause of the incident remains under investigation by authorities.

Paris Saint-Germain faces its worst league start in nineteen years after a recent home loss. The team remains winless in three Ligue 1 matches, a concerning statistic. Coach Luis Enrique received a contract extension until 2030 despite the current struggles. He expressed confidence that the team will recover and make up the deficit. PSG now prepares for their Champions League title defense beginning this Wednesday.

Denmark and four EU nations agreed on return hubs in non-EU countries. These facilities aim to send rejected asylum seekers to third nations. The plan hopes to begin sending migrants to these hubs as early as 2027. Human rights groups have criticized these deportation plans for migrants. European ministers emphasised the hubs would abide by international law.

NRI entrepreneur Aniruddha Anjana says three businesses he launched in India after returning from 10 years in the US failed amid unpaid customer dues, a stalled government drone survey project and alleged corruption and blackmail in his restaurant venture. Despite the setbacks, his US business remains profitable, and he says he currently has no plans to start another venture in India.

A Brazilian mother and daughter collected over 8,000 discarded bottles from beaches in 2020. These bottles were then incorporated into the walls of their seven-bedroom home. Sunlight passing through the glass creates a striking glow at sunrise. This project demonstrates sustainability and creativity in construction. The house serves as a functional dwelling and an educational space.

After relocating to India, an ex-NRI prefers to travel by auto-rickshaw for her short commutes. Concerned about the hazardous paths and fast-moving traffic, she opts to spend around one hundred rupees daily to sidestep the stress associated with her return. This decision showcases her sensible method of dealing with urban life's hurdles, prioritizing safety over discomfort.

The construction of the Ayodhya Ram temple is nearly finished, with just the installation of the trust's logo at the top of the Purn Smriti Stambh pending. This last detail is expected to be completed shortly. Additionally, upcoming meetings will focus on the development and operations of the Ram Katha Sangrahalaya, with prepared scripts for museum galleries set to be transformed into video presentations.

The Reserve Bank of India shortened its zero-cost FX swap facility for banks. This action followed substantial foreign deposit inflows from non-resident Indians. Policymakers also considered domestic liquidity effects and fundraising costs. The overseas fundraising supported the rupee, which had reached record lows earlier. These measures have bolstered foreign exchange reserves significantly.

An Indian NRI has shared his financial journey on social media, detailing how his career progressed from a Rs 10 lakh annual salary to a net worth of around Rs 7.5 crore at 37. After moving to the Middle East, he said he accumulated substantial savings, cleared a home loan and bought two additional properties, taking his total Mumbai homes to three.

Bank deposits saw their fastest growth in nearly ten years by July. Overseas Indians deposited about $37 billion in foreign currency accounts. Bank credit growth also accelerated to its fastest pace since June 2024. This surge was driven by corporate demand and MSME lending programs. India garnered nearly $41 billion in total inflows by July 31.

Indian MSMEs in the secondary steel sector can reduce power bills significantly. Switching to renewable energy offers substantial annual savings for these businesses. This transition also helps slash greenhouse gas emissions from steel production. A cluster-based approach makes renewable energy procurement more feasible for MSMEs. Adopting renewables lowers costs and carbon footprints simultaneously for producers.

Based on transaction data for April 2025 to March 2026, the report highlighted an increasingly diversified forex market driven by rising outbound travel, overseas education, corporate mobility and changing payment preferences. Tier 1 cities, including metros, account for 47 per cent of forex demand, while Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities contribute 41 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively.

India and the Southern African Customs Union signed terms to start trade negotiations. This move revives talks after previous rounds stalled between 2002 and 2010. New Delhi seeks tariff relief for key export sectors like automobiles and pharmaceuticals. The union comprises South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini. These renewed discussions aim to boost bilateral trade and economic ties.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham appointed Gautam Rangarajan as Expert Adviser. Rangarajan brings extensive experience in corporate strategy and transformation to his new role. Burnham is implementing a vision to do things differently across the country. He has realigned government departments and established a new Office for the PM. Rangarajan is expected to be instrumental in this governmental transformation.

In a working paper titled An Investigation Into Corporate Profits and Investment, co-authored by Prof S Mahendra Dev, chairman of EAC-PM, joint directors of EAC-PM Dr Sri Vatsa Sehra and Dr KK Tripathy and deputy director of EAC-PM Kamil KPS Bhullar, EAC-PM called for policy support to encourage innovation, enahnce R&D spending and promote industry-academia linkage to pave the way for establishment and growth of innovative firms.

India will pursue preferential trade agreements with developing economies like South Africa. This approach opens select product categories instead of deep market access. India is also negotiating preferential trade agreements with Mercosur and exploring options with Mexico. The government emphasizes inclusive stakeholder consultations for all trade pacts. This consultative style contrasts with previous trade negotiation practices.

Perseid meteor shower 2026 peak time: Perseid meteor shower peaks on the night of 12 August into the early hours of 13 August 2026, with viewing conditions described as ideal this year due to a new moon keeping skies dark. At its peak, the shower can produce up to 100 meteors per hour, with the best views coming from locations away from city lights.

Mithilesh Desai, a farmer and entrepreneur from Maharashtra, caught attention after a video showed him speaking with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Revati Sules wedding reception in Delhi. Desai is known as Indias Jackfruit King for his work on jackfruit cultivation, research and processing.

The Indian and Australian navies held discussions in Sydney during the 17th Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks from August 11-12 to boost maritime cooperation and interoperability. This follows the Indian Air Force's participation alongside 21 nations in Exercise Pitch Black 26 and PM Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Australia in July.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal will visit Chile this month for trade talks. India and Chile are negotiating to expand their existing trade agreement. This new pact aims to cover digital services and critical minerals. Chile is India's fifth-largest trading partner in the Latin American region. India also pursues trade agreements with Mercosur, Mexico, and Kenya.

India's exports saw a 15 percent increase during the first four months of this fiscal year. The Commerce Minister expressed optimism about reaching the $1 trillion export target by 2026-27. Nine free trade agreements have been concluded in the past four years. These agreements have opened many new possibilities for domestic industries.

India's fencing team achieved significant success on day three of the championship. They secured three gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in various events. Kanaglakshmi won gold in women's foil, and Rajendran Shanthimol Sherjin took gold in men's epee. Singh Karan Singh clinched another gold medal in the men's sabre competition. This performance brought India's total medal count to twenty-nine at the event.

India is considering sweeping health insurance reforms to standardise treatment rates, coverage and billing, while expanding a nationwide claims exchange, sources said. A regulatory panel is expected to submit recommendations by year-end as authorities seek to curb medical inflation, reduce fraudulent claims and encourage greater insurance coverage across the country.

Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala is launching nineteen LHB broad gauge passenger coaches for Bangladesh Railway. These custom-designed coaches feature advanced amenities and crashworthy design meeting European standards. The rake includes AC sleeper, AC chair, and Non-AC chair coaches along with power cars. This initiative builds upon a successful cooperation that began in 2015-16.

India has recently enhanced its maritime relations with Seychelles by providing five laser radial boats aimed at improving seamanship training for personnel in the Seychelles Defence Forces. This handover coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's June visit to the country and underscores Indias ongoing dedication to strengthening defense cooperation and capabilities within this vital island partner.

FanCode has secured exclusive digital rights to stream India's upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan. The three-match series will be played in Delhi on September 13, 15, and 17. This acquisition significantly strengthens FanCode's expanding cricket coverage and digital offerings. Fans can watch the matches live on the FanCode app and through various distribution partners. Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO expressed pleasure in extending the partnership for this landmark series.

India's Global Capability Centres are becoming AI hubs, but leadership AI literacy remains low. Most leaders are confident India will lead globally through 2030. However, less than 30% of leaders possess sufficient AI literacy for strategic decisions. GCCs must reskill over 40% of their workforce for this AI transformation.

Kunal Ganjawala, the well-known singer, has shed light on the interesting legacy behind his surname, which relates to his family's historical involvement in marijuana cultivation for medicinal purposes. During the British colonial era, they supplied this crop to the government until the practice ceased around the time of the Quit India Movement. His surname often sparks intrigue and humor, while his family was recognized as licensed pharmacists in those times.

Claude watermark explained What Indian users need to know

Afghanistan will host India for three Twenty20 Internationals in September. The series will take place at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium. Afghanistan has largely played home matches in the UAE due to security concerns. The Afghanistan Cricket Board believes India provides an excellent setting for this event. Indian cricket officials expressed commitment to supporting Afghanistan's cricket growth.

Today's Indian consumers are transforming their financial habits, with a declining focus on food expenditure within their budgets. The trend of premiumization is apparent in sectors like automobiles and consumer goods. A noteworthy increase in spending on travel and experiences is also observed. Meanwhile, financial aspirations have transitioned from just securing stability to actively generating wealth through investments, driven by a vibrant middle class across various cities.

India-US Tariff row: PM Modi-Trump will work it out

In celebration of International Youth Day, we acknowledge the significant role played by young individuals in society, alongside their health vulnerabilities. Increased awareness of health issues enables early detection of chronic diseases. Preventative screenings prove critical, empowering youth to identify potential problems ahead of time. Embracing regular health check-ups and cultivating healthy lifestyles is key to ensuring enduring well-being for this generation.

Surya Grahan kab lagega 2026, 12 August Solar Eclipse date, time, sutak kaal: The traditional rule is that Sutak is observed only when an eclipse is visible at the concerned location. As the August 12 solar eclipse will not be visible in Delhi or other checked Indian locations, Sutak is not applicable in India under the visibility-based traditional rule, including for children, elderly people and those who are unwell.

SA20 Season 5 will feature star players like Mitchell Marsh and Sam Curran. Joe Root and Phil Salt are also returning to their respective franchises. Several big names were released before the upcoming player auction on October 7. Defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape will face Pretoria Capitals in the opener. The tournament begins January 17 and concludes February 21.