Category: Life & Style

Cyprus will get free portable desalination units from the UAE this summer to help alleviate the country’s rising water issue. With reservoir levels at dangerous lows and a surge in demand owing to peak tourist season, this assistance comes at an important time. Agriculture and Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou said that the UAE will provide desalination plants capable of producing a total of 15,000 cubic meters of potable water daily. The units are offered at no cost.

Although no specific delivery date has been announced, Panayiotou highlighted that UAE officials appreciate the need. The arrangement was reached after months of quiet discussions. The shortfall worsened after a fire damaged one of Cyprus’ five permanent desalination plants, resulting in agricultural water shortages. The damaged facility, which typically supplies 235,000 cubic meters of water per day, is expected to be operational again by August.

The UAE’s portable units will temporarily fill the gap. Authorities are presently analyzing the best places for the mobile plants.

In the long run, Cyprus plans to invest in four more mobile desalination plants and two new static ones. The government intends to fund private desalination installations in hotels to protect the country’s tourism-dependent economy.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has sent a combat-ready contingent to the UAE for Exercise Desert Flag-10, a major multinational air warfare exercise. The UAE Air Force will host the event from April 21 to May 8, 2025, with participation from 11 other countries, including France, Australia, Germany, Bahrain, and Qatar. The exercise intends to emulate advanced fighter operations while encouraging coalition forces to share tactical expertise and develop in real time.

The IAF has sent MiG-29 and Jaguar aircraft for this mission. The MiG-29 is renowned for its versatility in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. It can carry short- and medium-range missiles, rockets, and large bombs, as well as a built-in 30mm gun. The Jaguar, a specialist ground-attack aircraft, can achieve speeds of up to 1,699 km/h and has a combat radius of 908 km.

These drills improve combined operational capabilities and promote long-term defence cooperation. India’s involvement demonstrates its sustained commitment to strategic engagement. According to the Ministry of Defence, such engagement strengthens India’s cooperation with friendly countries.

Notably, this achievement follows the signing of major defence procurement agreements, including 156 Prachand helicopters, which strengthen India’s defence capability across domains.

In a huge step forward for defence and construction technology, IIT Hyderabad and the Indian Army, in collaboration with Simpliforge Creations, successfully constructed the world’s tallest 3d-printed bunker at 11,000 feet near Leh, Ladakh. The revolutionary military building, part of Project PRABAL, was built with specialised technology suited for high-altitude, low-oxygen (HALO) conditions.

The team, led by Prof. K V L Subramaniam, created a robotic printer system that took less than 24 hours to set up and 14 hours to print. The structure was built with locally obtained materials, assuring sustainability and adaptation to adverse weather.

The achievement of this project signals an important turning point in quick, deployable infrastructure for defence forces working in harsh terrains. Simpliforge CEO Dhruv Gandhi emphasised operational problems such as limited oxygen affecting machines and material quality, despite the structure being completed in just five days.

Prof. Subramaniam emphasised the importance of material engineering, as the concrete mix was specifically engineered to survive extreme UV exposure, low humidity, and significant heat fluctuations.

Arun Krishnan of the Indian Army emphasised the collaboration’s unparalleled synergy, while Simpliforge’s MD, Hari Krishna Jeedipalli, hinted at potential possibilities, including extraterrestrial colonies.

In a spectacular act of diplomacy and kindness, Japan has given India its first two high-speed bullet trains for free. Each train, estimated at Rs 300 crore, raises the total worth of this gesture to Rs 600 crore, or approximately 10 billion yen. These cutting-edge trains, built using Japan’s world-renowned Shinkansen E5 Series technology, represent a growing relationship between the two countries.

The trains are headed to India’s ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project. This 508-kilometre corridor will be the country’s first step into bullet train infrastructure. Japan has long backed the project, with the Japan International Cooperation Agency providing 81% of the money through a 50-year soft credit at a nominal interest rate of 0.1%.

The newly gifted trains, stationed at Gujarat’s Sabarmati Depot, will be used to train crew, undertake technical trials, and fine-tune safety protocols before public operations begin. They can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h and will also play an important role in familiarising Indian engineers with the Shinkansen ecosystem.

Trial runs over a 50-kilometer length are expected by the middle of 2026. With almost 250 km of pillars currently in place, the full corridor is expected to be completed by 2028.

Georgia has made an impressive debut in the global real estate market with the inauguration of Ambassadori Island Batumi, the Black Sea’s first artificial island. The ambitious project was officially unveiled during a major international property exhibition in Dubai, attracting interest from investors, developers, and global audiences.

The island, located just off the coast of Batumi, is planned to be a flourishing coastal hub that combines resort-style luxury with modern urban living. The project plan comprises five-star hotels, luxury-branded apartments, private villas, and high-end recreational facilities. Yacht marinas and heliports add to Batumi’s unique appeal, establishing it as a growing destination for affluent tourists and real estate investment.

Ambassadori Island promises more than just scenic beauty; it hopes to create over 20,000 jobs, boosting both tourist and long-term regional development. International interest is further driven by Georgia’s attractive investment climate, which includes expedited registration procedures and no property tax for individuals.

Sustainability is important to the island’s infrastructure. Solar-powered lights, rainwater reuse, and app-based smart living technology demonstrate a forward-thinking design. A nine-hectare woodland park, as well as 3.2 km of scenic walking and cycling trails, contribute to the area’s environmentally conscious culture.

The United Arab Emirates plans to replace physical ID cards with modern biometric identification technology. These new systems, which use facial recognition and other biometric technology, have already been designed and tested, and they might be fully operational within a year, according to Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs.

The project, led by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), complements the UAE’s larger push for digital transformation. The government is actively pursuing strategic partnerships to integrate biometric ID systems into public service platforms, thereby increasing efficiency and security.

Banking, government services, telecommunications, healthcare, insurance, and hospitality are likely to rely heavily on the biometric system for secure identification. Adnan Al Hammadi, a Federal National Council member, emphasised the vital necessity for fast and reliable identity verification technologies in these businesses.

This is not the UAE’s first effort towards biometric authentication. The Emirates ID was improved in 2021 to include facial recognition, which may be accessed through the UAE Pass application. Last year, the ICP collaborated with Idemia to implement a biometric Smart Travel system at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport.

PM Modi chaired a high-level conference to discuss measures for cleaning the Yamuna River and enhancing Delhi’s water supply. The meeting, held at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The PM reviewed agency-specific action plans for the river’s cleanup, which included short-term, medium-term, and long-term operations such as sewage management, industrial waste disposal, and wastewater treatment deficiencies.

The PM underlined the importance of adopting advanced technologies to collect real-time data for monitoring sewage treatment plants and assessing drain flows. This information would be critical for planning future infrastructure developments and ensuring the efficacy of current systems. The panel also highlighted the need for interceptor sewers for the Najafgarh and Shahdara drains, a project that began in 2010 but has yet to be completely operational.

Furthermore, the Delhi government was advised to build a new pipeline at the Coronation Pillar STP in Jahangirpuri to divert treated water into the Yamuna, avoiding the Jahangirpuri drain. The PM emphasised the urgent need to upgrade Delhi’s water supply and eliminate leakage. A new Urban River Management Plan will be incorporated into the city’s master plan. 

Beginning May 1, all foreign travellers entering Thailand will be required to produce a digital arrival card before entering the country. This change officially replaces the existing paper-based system.

The new Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) must be filled out at least three days before arrival using the official website.. The system applies to all travellers who arrive by land, sea, or air. According to Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura, this digital platform marks a significant technological innovation that improves Thailand’s travel procedures by providing a safer, faster, and more modern electronic interface.

The TDAC form requests passport information, trip arrangements, housing details, and a health status declaration by Public Health Ministry requirements. While the TDAC is not a visa, it is required and adheres to international entrance norms. Travellers arriving in Thailand on May 1 can start completing their applications on April 28.

The government hopes that this approach will minimise congestion at immigration desks, increase data accuracy, and aid in public health initiatives. Soon, the platform will also be available as an application.

Thai Airways International (THAI) has advised all incoming passengers to complete the TDAC in advance to avoid excessive delays or processing complications at the airport.

A rare diamond from India’s royal past is poised to enchant collectors worldwide. The stunning 23.24-carat bright blue diamond known as the Golconda Blue will be auctioned for the first time on May 14 at Christie’s ‘Magnificent Jewels’ sale in Geneva. The diamond, once owned by the Maharajas of Indore and Baroda, is estimated to sell for $35-50 million, or around ₹300-₹430 crore.

This magnificent diamond is placed in a modern ring designed by Parisian jeweller JAR, emphasising its timeless appeal. Christie’s has previously handled numerous renowned Golconda diamonds, but the Golconda Blue stands out for its regal provenance and remarkable colour.

The diamond comes from the renowned Golconda mines in present-day Telangana, famous for producing the Koh-i-Noor and the Hope Diamond. Its voyage began in 1923, when Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II commissioned Chaumet to put it in a bracelet. It was later featured in a grand necklace by Mauboussin and famously painted in a portrait of the Maharani of Indore.

In 1947, it was purchased by Harry Winston in the US and eventually returned to Indian royalty.

Currently, the Oppenheimer Blue is the most expensive blue diamond ever auctioned, fetching $57.5 million in 2016.

On Monday, six women launched into space aboard a Blue Origin rocket, making history as the first all-female civilian spaceflight. Pop star Katy Perry joined the high-profile mission alongside Lauren Sanchez, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, and Kerianne Flynn. The crew took off from Blue Origin’s West Texas facility at 9:31 a.m. ET, briefly experiencing weightlessness before returning to Earth in 11 minutes.

Blue Origin broadcast the suborbital flight live, showcasing the New Shepard vehicle’s capabilities. The rocket, designed by Jeff Bezos’ company, emphasises reusability and goals for space travel. The team donned specially made suits that represented both safety and style.

Katy Perry, carrying a flower in memory of her daughter, sang “What a Wonderful World” during her comeback. Oprah Winfrey, visibly emotional, was among the celebrities witnessing the event, joined by Kris Jenner and Khloe Kardashian.

This is the first all-female flight since Valentina Tereshkova’s 1963 solo expedition. While ticket prices are unknown, estimations imply expenses of up to half a million dollars per seat.

Despite Blue Origin’s attempts to increase access to space, experts feel economic viability is still a long way off. However, this mission represents a significant milestone in civilian and female-led space exploration.