India’s passport ranking stands at 80th in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, giving Indian passport holders access to 56 destinations without obtaining a traditional visa before travel. The ranking, current as of Friday, July 3, 2026, places India alongside Mauritania and Senegal. Henley’s index covers 199 passports and 227 travel destinations and is updated monthly using International Air Transport Association data. India

Huawei has launched the Huawei Band 11 series in India, with prices starting at Rs 3,999 under market operating price. The new fitness band lineup includes Huawei Band 11, Huawei Band 11 Metal and Huawei Band 11 Pro, offering a brighter AMOLED display, health tracking features and up to 14 days of battery life. Huawei Band 11 Price In India

Two strong earthquakes struck Venezuela in quick succession on June 24, triggering large-scale destruction across multiple regions. The back-to-back tremors caused buildings to collapse, roads to fracture, and essential services to fail in several urban zones. The disaster has left authorities struggling to stabilise affected areas as the death toll continues to rise. Cities struggle with severe structural damage Major urban centres, including parts of Caracas and La Guaira, have been heavily impacted. Entire residential blocks were reduced to rubble, trapping residents and blocking access routes for emergency teams. The destruction has slowed rescue movement, with heavy debris and unstable structures making operations dangerous and time-consuming. Rescue teams race against time in difficult conditions Search and rescue crews are continuing operations in severely damaged districts, often working with limited equipment and unstable conditions. Hospitals in nearby regions are under pressure as injured survivors arrive continuously. Temporary shelters have been set up, but shortages of clean water, electricity, and medical supplies are complicating relief efforts. Government coordination under pressure Authorities led by interim leadership have confirmed a rising death toll, now reported at 2,595, while acknowledging that many individuals remain unaccounted for. Officials have denied claims of improper handling of victims and stated that identification procedures are being followed. Emergency coordination efforts are ongoing across multiple agencies. Uncertainty grows as recovery continues The full scale of the disaster is still unfolding. Rescue teams warn that numbers may change as deeper layers of collapsed structures are cleared. With communication lines disrupted and many zones still inaccessible, officials say the priority remains locating survivors and preventing further loss of life. Long recovery ahead for affected regions Beyond immediate rescue work, Venezuela now faces a long rebuilding process. Restoring housing, infrastructure, and basic services will take significant time, while displaced families continue to rely on temporary shelters and aid support. The focus remains on survival, recovery, and restoring stability in affected regions.

A nearby world strengthens the search for habitability Astronomers have identified a promising super-Earth, GJ 3378b, located just 25 light-years from Earth, placing it among the closest potentially habitable exoplanets discovered to date. Its proximity offers rare opportunities for future atmospheric study, making it a key target in the ongoing search for environments

Survivor pulled alive after eight days under rubble Rescue teams in Venezuela have pulled a man alive from the rubble of a collapsed nine-story structure in La Guaira, eight days after a series of powerful earthquakes devastated large parts of the country. The survivor’s rescue has been described by emergency officials as a rare moment of hope amid widespread destructio

India has launched an e-OCI card for more than 5 million Overseas Citizen of India cardholders, giving them a digital credential for immigration and airline verification while keeping existing physical OCI cards valid. Readers unfamiliar with the program can review our explainer on what an OCI

The UAE Green Visa gives qualifying skilled workers, freelancers, self-employed professionals, investors and business partners five years of residency without sponsorship from a single employer. Introduced in 2022, it also permits family sponsorship and provides a grace period of up to six months after cancellation. UAE Green Visa eligibility requirements Skilled workers Applicants must have a valid employment contract and ei

Thailand’s 60-day visa-free entry for Indian travelers remains in effect despite Thailand’s approval of wider immigration changes. The Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi states that Indian ordinary passport holders may continue entering Thailand without a visa for tourism and short-term business stays of up to 60 days until a further announcement. and visa-free entry for Indians remains active

Vijay’s Tender Formula Creates Buzz Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay’s new approach to public tenders has become one of the most talked-about moves in state politics. Within weeks of introducing a more transparent tender system, the government is claiming major savings in civic works, while old contractors are reportedly struggling to adjust to the new rules of the game. For years, public works contracts were surr

Trump revisits Panama Canal transfer decision President Donald Trump has stated that the United States should never have transferred control of the Panama Canal to Panama, arguing that the decision has led to rising transit fees and potential geopolitical risks. Speaking at the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, he criticised the 1977 agreement that eventually led to the full handover of the canal in 1999.

A dramatic turnaround in Seattle Belgium produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the World Cup 2026 as they defeated Senegal in a tense Round of 32 clash that swung wildly until the final moments. Trailing 2-0 deep into the second half, Belgium looked on the verge of elimination before a stunning late revival changed the course of the match entirely.

Cosmic Origins Written in Ice Scientists have identified direct physical traces of stardust preserved in Antarctic ice, offering rare confirmation that material forged in supernova explosions has reached Earth in measurable quantities. The discovery provides new insight into how elements created in distant stellar deaths are distributed across interstellar space and eventually incorporated into planetary environments. Supernova Dust and th

A Planet That Should Not Exist in This Orbit Astronomers have long believed that planets orbiting close to a star cannot survive its transformation into a red giant and eventual collapse into a white dwarf. However, the discovery of WD 1856b has challenged that assumption. The Jupiter-sized planet orbits its dead star at an extremely close distance, completing a full orbit in just over a day, defying traditional models of stellar evolution and planetary survival.

Sharran Srivatsaa’s janitor-to-CEO story highlights how he used free Tony Robbins audio tapes to improve his communication while working nights in the United States. The Indian entrepreneur, now described as the U.S.-based CEO of Acquisition, said criticism of his accent became an early obstacle as he tried to build a career. Sharran Srivatsaa’s Janitor-to-CEO Journey Srivatsaa shared the account in a post on X after entrepreneur and author

Illinois drivers will not face the scheduled 1.3-cent motor fuel tax increase in 2026. The Illinois gas tax will remain at 48.3 cents per gallon through Thursday, December 31, 2026, before rising to 49.6 cents on Friday, January 1, 2027. Illinois Gas Tax Increase Delayed for Six Months The scheduled increase was suspended beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The temporary pause does not reduce the existing gasoline tax. It postpones only the inflation-link

A rare handwritten copy of the Sikh sacred scripture linked to Punjab’s royal-era history has been identified in long-held academic archives in Scotland. The document, preserved for decades without public attention, is believed to date back roughly three centuries and is associated with collections once connected to Sikh aristocratic custodianship during the pre-colonial and colonial transition period. From forgotten record to verified heritage object Researchers examining archival holdings in Edinburgh traced the manuscript during a wider study of South Asian religious texts preserved in British institutions. Initial catalog entries did not clearly reflect its significance, but further examination confirmed it as a complete or near-complete handwritten version of the revered Sikh scripture. This reassessment changed its status from overlooked archival material to a culturally significant heritage object. Careful restoration and preservation process Specialist conservators in Scotland undertook detailed restoration work to stabilize the fragile pages and ink. Centuries of storage had weakened the manuscript, making handling risky. Preservation efforts focused on ensuring structural stability while maintaining original integrity, allowing the text to be viewed without causing further deterioration. The process took an extended period due to the delicate condition of the material. Journey across continents and historical custody Historical records suggest the manuscript left Punjab during a turbulent period when royal and religious collections were dispersed under colonial administration. Over time, it entered institutional custody in Britain, eventually becoming part of academic archives. Its journey reflects a broader pattern of cultural objects from South Asia being relocated and stored in European collections, often with limited documentation of their origins. Public darshan at Glasgow gurdwara The restored manuscript has now been placed for controlled public viewing at a Sikh place of worship in Glasgow. Devotees are being allowed to observe the scripture under strict preservation guidelines that balance respect for religious practice with conservation requirements. The arrangement enables spiritual engagement while ensuring the artifact remains protected. Community response and cultural significance Members of the Sikh community in Scotland have described the display as emotionally meaningful, viewing it as a reconnection with historical identity and heritage. The presence of the manuscript has also sparked interest among researchers and visitors, highlighting the importance of rediscovering and reassessing archival collections that may hold significant cultural and religious value.

Region under severe strain after twin quakes La Guaira is facing mounting pressure after successive earthquakes caused widespread disruption across coastal communities. Entire neighborhoods have been damaged, leaving thousands without stable housing. Emergency services are stretched thin as access roads remain partially blocked and essential infrastructure continues

NASA Accelerates Lunar Base Development Strategy NASA has moved forward with an accelerated timeline for establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon, marking a significant step in its long-term lunar exploration strategy. The US space agency has awarded nearly $600 million in new contracts to three commercial partners to support upcoming lunar missions aimed a

Anthropic, OpenAI and Nvidia increased their use of the H-1B program during the second quarter of U.S. fiscal year 2026, even as several larger technology companies reduced certified labor applications. The shift illustrates how aggressively leading artificial intelligence companies are competing for specialized engineers, researchers and infrastructure workers from the global talent pool. AI Companies Increase H-1B Hiring Anthropic recorded 59

Anthropic H-1B jobs carried base salaries ranging from $112,778 to $1.38 million, according to newly disclosed federal filings covering nearly 80 certified positions during the first half of U.S. fiscal year 2026. The records show that the artificial intelligence company sponsored workers across technical, research, product and business functions. The figures represent fixed annual base pay and do not include bonuses, stock awards or other benefits. Anthropic H-1B