Category: Life & Style

Axiom Space, a U.S.-based space firm, is now looking into the potential use of Indian launch vehicles for their journey to the International Space Station. This project is in line with Axiom’s larger objective of building a private space station that might eventually take the place of the International Space Station, which NASA plans to retire around 2030.

While no contracts have been signed, Pearly Pandya, director of international government business at Axiom, stated that discussions are ongoing with the ISRO and private Indian launch companies to determine the most appropriate partnerships and diversify the company’s supply chain.

Pandya suggested that Indian rockets may be utilised to transport raw materials required for the development of Axiom’s space station. The corporation is also looking into agreements with European countries to increase its supply chain choices. This strategic move comes after India and the US inked the Space Flight Agreement in August.

India’s private space sector has grown significantly after the government opened it up to private operators and established a $119 million fund to promote businesses. Private companies such as Skyroot and Agnikul are currently developing rockets, while investment in the Indian space industry has increased, reaching $126 million by 2023.

Singaporean parents have reason to celebrate as the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) announced a proposal to add 40,000 new infant and childcare slots over the next five years. This plan, which is set to run from 2025 to 2029, would provide relief to many urban parents looking for dependable childcare options.

The ECDA, which was founded on April 1, 2013, functions independently under the supervision of Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). According to CNA, ECDA will cooperate with five anchor operators to build these new childcare spaces around Singapore to increase access to affordable, high-quality preschool facilities.

Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development, stated that the expansion will improve government-funded preschool availability from 65% to 80% in the medium term, making child care more accessible to Singaporean families.

In addition to expanding places, the Singapore government will cap full-day childcare rates at SGD 640 and SGD 680 per month for anchor and partner operators beginning January 1, 2025. Low-income households will also receive increased subsidies, spending only 2% of their monthly household income on anchor-run institutions.

Archaeologists have discovered a 4,000-year-old fortified town in northwest Saudi Arabia’s Khaybar Oasis, providing new insights into the historic shift from nomadic to urban life. The ancient settlement of al-Natah, located in the arid Khaybar oasis, exemplifies early social organisation and intricate urban planning. The study’s findings, published in PLOS One, show that the town could support up to 500 people and was divided into various zones for residential living, governance, and burial, emphasising its historical significance in the region.

Led by French archaeologist Guillaume Charloux, the study team unearthed a 14.5-kilometre wall that encircled the settlement, emphasising al-Natah’s ordered form. The village, estimated to have been founded between 2400 and 2000 BCE and occupied until 1500 or 1300 BCE, played an important role in encouraging contacts between pastoral nomadic communities. Researchers propose a region-specific “slow urbanism” process in which pastoral settlements progressively converted into settled life, linked by fortified oases.

The Royal Commission for AlUla conducted this study in partnership with the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AFALULA) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), highlighting the town’s effect on early social and architectural developments in northwest Arabia.

In response to escalating climate problems, Dubai is undergoing major infrastructure construction to increase rainfall drainage capacity, with the goal of greatly reducing future flood hazards. This preemptive attempt follows April’s record rainfall, when Dubai received a year’s worth of rain in a single day, resulting in significant holdups.

In June, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved the Dh30 billion ‘Tasreef’ project. The Tasreef project, which aims to increase drainage capacity by 700%, is expected to be completed by 2033. Meanwhile, the Dubai Municipality has been improving its existing drainage systems to better handle severe rainfall.

Dr. Tamer Al Hafez, a senior drainage project specialist, stated that the Tasreef tunnel would function on gravity, decreasing the need for pumps and maintenance expenditures. The tunnel will connect multiple drainage networks, directing runoff into the sea. Unlike past drainage systems, this project will span throughout Dubai, including Deira and Bur Dubai.

To address flood hazards before Tasreef is completed, the municipality is expanding drainage networks throughout the city, ensuring smoother water movement during future intense weather occurrences.

Thailand is expanding its tourism reach by boosting cross-border linkages with Malaysia, to increase regional visitation. While Malaysia slid from Thailand’s top source market in 2023 to second place this year, Malaysian visitor numbers are expected to exceed last year’s record of 4.4 million visitors.

From January 1 to October 23, 2024, more than 4 million Malaysians visited Thailand, with hopes of exceeding 5 million by the end of the year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects THB 3.5 trillion ($103 billion) in tourism earnings and 36.7 million international tourists in 2024.

Thailand has launched a Self-Drive Tourism Fun Map for Malaysian visitors, which provides route information and local recommendations for a seamless journey across both countries. A cross-border caravan route also connects Sadao Checkpoint in Thailand to Bukit Kayu Hitam in Malaysia, making it more convenient for road travellers. Expanding rail connectivity, such as the link connecting Kuala Lumpur and Hat Yai in Songkhla, reinforces this cross-border ambition and aligns with ASEAN’s aim for regional travel.

Festivals such as “Thailand’s Grand Invitation” and the Loi Krathong Festival highlight Thailand’s invitation to Malaysians to enjoy cultural experiences in the country’s southern provinces, indicating an improvement in Thailand-Malaysia tourism relations.

US President Joe Biden hosted a lively Diwali event at the White House on Monday, gathering nearly 600 prominent Indian Americans to commemorate the festival of lights. During his speech, Biden expressed pleasure in leading an inclusive administration and emphasised the role of South Asian Americans in building the United States.

“As President, I have been honoured to host the largest Diwali celebrations ever at the White House,” he said. “As a senator, vice president, and now president, I’ve had South Asian Americans play important roles on my teams. From Kamala Harris to Dr. Murthy, so many of you here today are important to our country,” he added, addressing a varied crowd of Indian American congress members, officials, and business executives.

The ceremony opened with Indian American youth activist Shrusti Amula introducing Biden, followed by remarks from Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy, the US Surgeon General, and a special video greeting from NASA astronaut Sunita Williams broadcast from the International Space Station.

Biden lit the traditional diya in the Blue Room and applauded the South Asian American community for its contributions to US democracy, stating, “Diwali is now openly celebrated, reminding us of our collective journey towards light and unity.”

India has extended its energy partnership with Sri Lanka by providing rooftop solar systems to various religious sites across the island nation. This initiative is part of India’s broader $17 million solar project, which seeks to install 25 MW solar rooftop systems across 5,000 religious institutions.

According to reports, representatives from the Indian High Commission, Ceylon Electricity Board, and Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority jointly handed over solar panels and materials to several locations, including a Buddhist temple in Hokandara, Sri Aanjaneyar Temple, St. Anthony’s Church, and Mutwal Jumma Mosque.

The project, spread across all nine provinces and 25 districts, aims to alleviate energy costs for religious institutions while bolstering Sri Lanka’s transition to renewable energy. It is expected to generate 37 million units annually, aiding Sri Lanka’s “people-centric energy transition” goals.

This solar initiative aligns with India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, fostering cooperation on Sri Lankan priorities. Additionally, India is supporting the electrification of 9,000 Buddhist temples and Pirivenas with a $10 million grant and hybrid renewable energy and LNG projects, enhancing the energy landscape in Sri Lanka’s Jaffna region.

Indian tourist visits in Singapore increased by 13% in the first nine months of 2024, to 898,180 people, according to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on October 25. This increase in numbers strengthens India’s position as Singapore’s third-largest source of tourists, after only Indonesia and China, as the city-state prepares for its renowned year-end festivities along Orchard Road.

Singapore received more than one million tourists from India in 2023, highlighting the country’s growing reputation as a top destination for Indian travellers. The Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) disclosed the data at the introduction of the year-end festive calendar, showing Singapore’s emphasis on attracting international travellers throughout the holiday season.

This year’s festive celebrations will thank migrant workers in Singapore, notably those from India, Bangladesh, and China, for their important role in the city’s development. ORBA has scheduled special open-top bus journeys down Orchard Road to allow these personnel to appreciate the vibrant decorations and joyful lighting. ORBA, in collaboration with agencies and NGOs, hopes to include healthcare workers and people from underprivileged backgrounds as honoured guests. 

From November 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, the festival is planned to bring between four and five million people to Orchard Road.

Rachel Gupta, a twenty-year-old from Jalandhar, became the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International (MGI) title on October 25, 2024, at the MGI Headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand. Miss Grand International is one of the world’s most popular beauty pageants, with over five million fans. 

Rachel’s quest to win the title began in August when she was crowned Miss Grand India at a national pageant in Jaipur. Her achievements on the international stage highlight her dedication and tenacity, having previously been named Miss Super Talent of the World in 2022.

Rachel defeated opponents from over 70 countries, displaying outstanding grace and skill to earn her spot as a top contender throughout the competition. She also got the Grand Pageants Choice Award for 2024, highlighting her popularity and impact with over a million Instagram followers.

Her victory places her alongside Lara Dutta for the most international pageant crowns won by an Indian. Speaking about her incredible feat, Tejasvi Minhas, a family member, expressed the pride and delight felt by her loved ones and the city. Rachel’s return is scheduled for later this year, when she begins her work as MGI’s global ambassador, pushing for peace and stability worldwide.

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is planning a revolutionary program to boost local tourism. The initiative, which is part of the impending stimulus package, seeks to expand the local tourism subsidy to 50%, increasing domestic travel and stimulating the economy.

A crucial component of the strategy is a change of legislation for online travel agencies (OTAs), which would require them to register in Thailand in order to avoid income loss to overseas corporations.

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong disclosed that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is designing a new co-payment program to subsidise local travel expenses. The scheme is predicted to have a 5-10% higher economic impact than past subsidies, which generated an amazing 58.6 billion THB (1.7 billion USD). The new program is expected to commence during the low season, which runs from May to October next year, while an earlier start date of early 2025 is being examined.

Minister Sorawong emphasised the need to balance the roles of international OTAs and domestic firms. Previous initiatives had recognised foreign OTAs as official platforms, resulting in large commissions of up to 30% flowing abroad.