Category: Life & Style

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) has introduced a new regulation allowing retired residents to enjoy long-term residency in the UAE.

Eligibility Criteria for Retired Residents

Expatriate retirees with at least 15 years of work experience, inside or outside the UAE, can apply for this 5-year residency visa. Applicants must meet one of these financial criteria:

1. Own property worth at least Dh1 million
2. Have savings of Dh1 million
3. Earn a monthly income of at least Dh20,000 (or Dh15,000 in Dubai)

A bank statement from the last six months is also required. The visa is renewable if financial requirements remain fulfilled.

Simple Application Process

Applicants can easily apply through the UAEICP smart app or official website. Using UAE Pass, they can update details, pay fees, and receive their residency and ID cards through approved delivery services.

Dubai’s Special Provisions for Retirees

Dubai offers additional flexibility, allowing retirees to qualify with a monthly income of Dh15,000 or investments in property or savings worth Dh1 million. These measures aim to make the UAE an attractive destination for retirees worldwide.

Hanoi on Thursday. The event aims to boost its domestic defence industry and promote military exports.

The fair will feature nearly 250 exhibitors, including top defence companies from the U.S., Europe, Turkey, Israel, Iran, Russia, and Ukraine. Despite being a major importer of Russian weapons, Vietnam has recently focused on strengthening its local defence industry.

The country’s state-owned defence firm Viettel, along with other local companies, will display missile defence systems, drones, air defence radars, armoured vehicles, and artillery. Some of these weapons will be showcased for the first time, according to the defence ministry’s media.

“This marks a key step in Vietnam’s strategy to strengthen its defence industry,” said Nguyen The Phuong, a Vietnam security expert from the University of New South Wales. He highlighted that Vietnam’s approach includes signing deals with foreign arms exporters to produce some components locally.

Promoting exports of military products has become a priority for Vietnam’s defence ministry. This move reflects the nation’s push for greater self-reliance in a region marked by boundary disputes with China in the South China Sea.

Russia has developed an mRNA vaccine to fight cancer, according to TASS. Andrey Kaprin, General Director of the Radiology Medical Research Center, announced that cancer patients will receive the vaccine for free. The vaccine’s public release is expected in early 2025.

The vaccine’s development involved collaboration with several research centers. Pre-clinical trials revealed its ability to suppress tumor growth and prevent possible metastases. Alexander Ginsburg, Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center, shared this update with TASS.

Many are calling this breakthrough the “discovery of the century.” The Russian government’s move to offer the vaccine for free signals its significance in healthcare advancement.

Ginsburg also highlighted the role of AI in personalized cancer vaccines. He mentioned that artificial neural networks could reduce the time to create a personalized vaccine to under an hour. This development could revolutionize how cancer treatments are tailored to individual patients.

With the vaccine set to launch in 2025, cancer patients worldwide are watching closely. Russia’s latest medical innovation could mark a turning point in the global fight against cancer.

Thailand has become the 51st nation to join the Artemis Accords, marking a commitment to safe and responsible space exploration. The signing ceremony took place in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city, on Monday.

“Thailand’s commitment to the Artemis Accords will strengthen its engagement with NASA and the international community,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. He praised Thailand’s leadership in supporting open, responsible, and peaceful space exploration.

Pakorn Apaphant, Executive Director of Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of Thailand. The event also included Thailand’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Supamas Isarabhakdi, and U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec. Nelson contributed a pre-recorded video message for the ceremony’s closing remarks.

“Thailand will enter the golden age of space exploration in full force,” said Apaphant, highlighting the significance of the nation’s decision.

The Artemis Accords, established in 2020 by NASA, the U.S. Department of State, and seven other founding nations, promote the peaceful and beneficial use of space. The principles align with the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements, such as the Registration Convention and the Rescue and Return Agreement. They also support best practices for space exploration, including the public release of scientific data.

Thailand hosted a grand welcome ceremony to celebrate the arrival of its 2,000,000th Indian tourist this year. Key attendees included Mr. Sorawong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports, H.E. Mr. Nagesh Singh, India’s Ambassador to Thailand, and Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor. Also present were Ms. Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing, and executives from Suvarnabhumi Airport and Thai Airways International (THAI).

Minister Sorawong Thienthong expressed his delight, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome the 2,000,000th Indian tourist this year. This milestone reflects Thailand’s growing popularity among Indian travellers and the strong ties between our nations. We look forward to welcoming even more visitors to experience Thailand’s unique attractions.”

India remains one of Thailand’s top tourism markets. In 2019, Thailand received 1.96 million Indian visitors, generating 80 billion Baht in revenue. By 2023, arrivals reached 1.63 million, contributing 61.9 billion Baht.

Indian tourists visit Thailand year-round, exploring destinations like Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, and Chon Buri. Emerging spots like Surat Thani and Kanchanaburi are also gaining popularity. Tourists enjoy Thai cuisine, nightlife, beaches, massages, and historical landmarks.

Thailand’s visa exemption policy allows Indian tourists to stay for up to 60 days, making travel easier. Targeted marketing initiatives and partnerships with travel operators further boost Thailand’s appeal as a top destination for Indian travellers.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been crowned Europe’s most powerful person for 2024 by Politico. The annual list highlights key figures shaping European politics, with Meloni’s rise reflecting the growing influence of right-wing populism.

As the leader of Italy’s right-wing Brothers of Italy party, Meloni has become a dominant force in European politics. Since taking office in 2022, she’s shifted from being seen as an ultranationalist to a leader respected by Brussels and Washington.

Politico calls her a “straight-talking alpha” known for outsmarting opponents with her sharp intellect and commanding presence. Her leadership has positioned her as a crucial figure in the EU, balancing nationalism with pragmatic governance.

Meloni’s government is now seen as one of Italy’s most stable administrations in recent years. Her approach to issues like migration and LGBTQ+ rights, once expected to trigger backlash from the EU, has instead received mixed responses — from indifference to approval.

Her leadership style, political savvy, and ability to maintain a steady government have cemented her as a formidable player on the European stage.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will introduce a four-day workweek for its employees starting April 2024. The initiative aims to tackle Japan’s record-low fertility rates and support young families.

“Flexibility in work styles is crucial,” said Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike in her policy speech. “This ensures no one has to quit their career due to childbirth or childcare.”

Under this policy, employees can opt for three days off per week. Parents with elementary school children will also have the option to reduce working hours with a slight salary reduction.

Addressing Japan’s Falling Birth Rate
Japan’s fertility rate dropped to 1.2 children per woman last year, far below the 2.1 needed for population stability, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. Despite government efforts, the country recorded only 727,277 births last year.

Governor Koike emphasized the urgency of the move, saying, “Now is the time for Tokyo to lead in improving lives, livelihoods, and the economy.”Work Culture and Gender Gap
Experts believe Japan’s long working hours discourage women from balancing careers and family life. According to the World Bank, only 55% of women participate in the workforce compared to 72% of men.

Paris has been named the world’s most attractive city for the fourth consecutive year. The French capital topped the Top 100 City Destinations Index 2024 by Euromonitor International, a global data analytics company.

This achievement comes just four months after Paris successfully hosted the Olympic Games. However, it also coincides with political uncertainty following the resignation of France’s minority government on Thursday.

The Top 100 City Destinations Index ranks 100 cities using 55 metrics across six key pillars. These pillars include:

• Economic and business performance
• Tourism performance
• Tourism infrastructure
• Tourism policy and attractiveness
• Health and safety
• Sustainability

The report, created by Euromonitor International in partnership with data company Lighthouse, highlighted that European cities continue to dominate. Six of the top 10 cities are from Europe, but non-European cities are also rising in the ranks.

Top 5 Cities in 2024:
1️⃣ Paris
2️⃣ Madrid
3️⃣ Tokyo
4️⃣ Rome
5️⃣ Milan

Tokyo and Singapore (ranked 9th) were the only Asian cities in the top 10. European cities maintain strong positions due to their well-developed tourism infrastructure.The Index also revealed a 19% increase in global international arrivals in 2024, driven by strong tourism demand. Europe remained the most popular region, recording 793 million international trips that year.

The Thailand Embassy in New Delhi announced that Indian passport holders can apply for an e-visa starting January 1, 2025. Applicants will need to pay the visa fee through offline payment methods, according to the embassy’s statement, as reported by ANI.

The 60-day visa exemption for tourism and short business trips will continue until further notice, the embassy confirmed. It added, “Applicants must pay a visa fee, and details on offline payment options will be provided by the Embassy and Consulate-Generals. Please note that visa fees are non-refundable under all circumstances.”

More information on the e-visa system will be shared soon. Currently, Indian travelers can also use the visa-on-arrival option when visiting Thailand.

Thailand Offers Debt Relief for 1.9 Million Borrowers Amid Rising Household Debt

The Thai government, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has introduced new debt relief measures to support citizens. The initiative targets 1.9 million borrowers with a combined debt of 890 billion baht ($26 billion) from housing, auto loans, and small business financing.

Borrowers will get a three-year break from interest payments. Officials from the Finance Ministry and Bank of Thailand said, “Reduced principal payments will also be offered to help ease the debt burden.”

Sanjay Malhotra, a seasoned civil servant known for keeping a low profile, has been appointed as the new Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), succeeding Shaktikanta Das after his six-year term.

The 56-year-old Princeton-educated Malhotra will take charge at a time when India faces slowing economic growth and stubborn inflation. His appointment is seen as a move to align fiscal and monetary policies more closely, as Malhotra is currently serving as India’s revenue secretary. He is set to hold the position for a three-year term.

“Under Das’ leadership, we had forecast that repo rate cuts would only begin in April,” said Shilan Shah of Capital Economics. “But given the announcement, we are now forecasting the first 25 basis point cut at Malhotra’s first meeting in charge in February.”

Dhiraj Nim, an economist at ANZ Research, emphasized the point, saying, “The appointment will ensure cohesion and coordination between monetary and fiscal policies.”

While Malhotra hasn’t made any public statements on inflation or growth so far, his leadership is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the RBI’s policy direction. With rate cuts now on the horizon, all eyes are on his first policy review in February.