Category: Life & Style

Russia is strategically expanding tourist connections with the Middle East, focussing on important markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. Russia is collaborating with travel industry partners to develop new airline routes, ease visa requirements, and promote bespoke vacation packages to attract affluent Middle Eastern travellers.

Russia has long been a popular tourist destination, owing to its rich cultural legacy and renowned buildings such as the Kremlin and Red Square. However, the recovery from the epidemic has been gradual, pushing the government to focus on courting tourists from economically powerful countries such as the Middle East.

To make travel more accessible, Russia is expanding airline connectivity. Major airlines, like Aeroflot and Gulf Airlines, are starting new direct flights to destinations such as Moscow and St. Petersburg. Furthermore, Russia is increasing visa-free entry, which is already available to UAE citizens, with discussions underway for other Gulf countries.

With the Middle East’s growing thirst for luxury tourism, Russia is an appealing location. Russia hopes to develop itself as a top destination for Middle Eastern travellers seeking cultural, luxury, and winter travel experiences by providing seamless connectivity, streamlined travel procedures, and premium tourism experiences.

According to the Global AI Competitiveness Index published by the International Finance Forum (IFF) and Deep Knowledge Group, the UAE is one of the top ten countries with the most AI companies per million population.

The survey examined over 55,000 AI businesses worldwide, assessing their density, funding, and technological breakthroughs. The UAE’s strong AI enterprise density ranks it alongside prominent innovation hotspots such as Singapore and Hong Kong.

Dmitry Kaminskiy, General Partner of Deep Knowledge Group said, “The UAE’s top ten ranking demonstrates how targeted investments are creating an environment in which AI may thrive.”

The UAE has always proved its commitment to AI. In 2017, it was the first country to appoint an AI Minister. The AI Strategy 2031 seeks to provide USD 91 billion to GDP while reducing operational costs by 50%.

The country has also established the Dubai Future Accelerator Fund, worth USD 2.7 billion, to assist AI-driven projects. The UAE provides a 10-year Golden Visa to AI experts and founded the world’s first AI-focused university.

With world-class digital infrastructure, 5G network coverage surpassing 90%, and advanced AI efforts, the nation is establishing itself as a global leader in AI.

On Thursday, Singapore disclosed its initial set of initiatives designed to improve the country’s equity market. The proposed measures include the implementation of tax incentives that are intended to attract additional listings and investments, thereby solidifying Singapore’s status as a significant financial centre.

The Equities Market Review Group, which was responsible for assessing market development strategies, has verified that these proposals have been submitted to the Finance Ministry and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the nation’s central bank, established the committee in August of the previous year with the objective of identifying strategies to fortify the equities market.

The review group has recommended policies that will promote the launch and expansion of investment funds with a strong emphasis on domestic equities, which are among the main proposals. The objective of these measures is to increase investor confidence and improve liquidity in the Singapore market.

The group announced that a more comprehensive update regarding these initiatives will be published on February 21. Furthermore, additional market-strengthening measures are currently under development and are anticipated to be implemented in the latter half of 2025.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has formally launched the Blue Residency scheme, a long-term visa initiative designed to recognise those who have made substantial contributions to sustainability, environmental protection, and renewable energy. The statement was made at the 2025 World Government Summit, which was held in Dubai from February 11 to 13. According to Emirates News Agency (WAM), the programme aims to attract top worldwide talent in the green industry.

The Blue Residency program provides a 10-year visa to prominent specialists, researchers, innovators, and investors in sustainability-related sectors, both locally and globally. In its initial phase, 20 notable sustainability experts have already received this prestigious resident designation.

This effort is consistent with the UAE’s longstanding commitment to climate action and economic diversification. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security manages the application procedure, which allows candidates to apply through government entities associated with the sustainability sector.

The scheme is aimed at four main groups: scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, and top executives in environmental organisations. Eligible awardees can take advantage of family sponsorship, multi-entry visas, and renewable 10-year residency, establishing the UAE as a premier location for sustainability pioneers.

Singapore has unveiled new AI governance measures designed to improve global AI safety. Recognising AI’s cross-border impact, these projects aim to improve technical testing, ensure multilingual safety, and advance AI governance. The statement was made by Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, during the AI Action Summit (AIAS) in Paris, France, on February 10-11.

The Global AI Assurance Pilot is a testbed for developing best practices for testing Generative AI applications; the Joint Testing Report with Japan evaluates the safety of Large Language Models (LLMs) across multiple languages; and the AI Safety Red Teaming Challenge Evaluation Report analyses AI model performance in diverse cultural contexts. These activities strengthen Singapore’s position in establishing global AI standards.

AIAS expands on prior summits, notably Bletchley Park in November 2023 and Seoul in May 2024, by bringing together governmental, economic, and academic leaders to define AI policy. Minister Teo also took part in critical debates about AI risk monitoring and global AI leadership, emphasising Singapore’s commitment to responsible AI development. The country remains committed to developing international alliances, enhancing AI safety frameworks, and ensuring that AI breakthroughs are transparent and inclusive.

The UAE is speeding its transition to sustainable transport, with plans to deploy over 500 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations by the end of 2025. This extension intends to accommodate increased EV use while dramatically reducing carbon emissions. The project is consistent with the country’s long-term environmental plans.

Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, stated that more than 100 EV charging stations will be installed around the UAE by 2024. The government is working with private sector companies and municipal governments to provide a well-connected charging infrastructure, making EV adoption more feasible and practical.

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority plans to extend the city’s EV charging network by 170%, from 370 to 1,000 public stations by 2025. The new stations will have ultra-fast chargers, which will drastically reduce charging times.

The UAE’s green energy objectives extend beyond electric vehicles. The government plans to increase its renewable energy capacity to 14 gigawatts by 2030. With EV demand expected to expand at a 30% annual pace, the UAE is making great progress towards sustainable mobility, strengthening its commitment to clean energy and carbon reduction.

At the AI Action Summit in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the revolutionary promise of artificial intelligence (AI) and called for global collaboration to develop ethical and legal frameworks. Addressing politicians, researchers, and industry leaders, he said AI is “writing the code for humanity in this century.”

He emphasised the significance of international cooperation in mitigating AI-related dangers like cybersecurity threats, deepfakes, and misinformation. “AI is advancing at an unprecedented rate and expanding worldwide. Its challenges are also universal. We need collective action to develop governance models that maintain trust, security, and fairness,” he stated.

He emphasised AI’s significance in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals, citing its promise in healthcare, education, and agriculture.

PM advocated for energy-efficient AI models and open-source platforms that promote transparency. Addressing job displacement fears, he stated that AI reshapes the industry rather than eliminating jobs. “Technology alters jobs, but history demonstrates that work never disappears. “Skilling and reskilling are critical for the AI era,” he stated.

He praised India’s leadership in AI and digital infrastructure, stating, “India has built one of the largest AI talent pools and a cost-effective digital ecosystem for 1.4 billion people.”

Thailand had an impressive start to 2025, with 3.709 million foreign tourists in January. This represents a huge 22.2% increase over the same period last year, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry. The spike demonstrates Thailand’s growing popularity as a global tourism destination.

China was the biggest source country, with 662,779 visitors, followed by Malaysia (443,015) and Russia (255,920). South Korea contributed 209,065 tourists, while India had 185,809 arrivals. Other notable contributors were the United Kingdom (121,529 visits) and the United States (118,038).

Tourist arrivals in January topped the monthly average of 3.33 million, compared to the government’s annual target of 40 million tourists. Encouraged by the high statistics, the government raised its 2025 tourism objective from 39 million to 40 million visitors. Officials predict that overseas tourists will produce approximately 3.5 trillion baht in revenue this year.

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong also stated that 2025 will be known as the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year.” This program is aimed to attract more international visitors and strengthen Thailand’s standing as a top global vacation destination.

The latest Henley Passport Index rankings confirm Singapore’s status as the world’s most powerful passport. Singapore citizens can now travel visa-free to 195 of 227 global destinations. This is a comeback to the top rank, confirming its supremacy in international mobility.

Japan is a close second, with visa-free entry to 193 places. The country’s ranking improved after China eliminated post-pandemic restrictions, allowing Japanese nationals to travel without a visa.

A group of European Union nations—France, Germany, Italy, and Spain—now share third place with South Korea and Finland, with visa-free travel to 192 destinations. These countries’ rankings have dropped slightly over the last year.

Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway rank fourth, having visa-free travel to 191 destinations. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Portugal, New Zealand, and Switzerland rank fifth, providing visa-free travel to 190 countries.

The Henley Passport Index, which is based on International Air Transport Association (IATA) data, evaluates global passports based on the number of visa-free places they can visit. The most recent rankings illustrate the ongoing changes in travel flexibility and global mobility patterns.

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan has approved Therme Dubai, the world’s tallest wellness resort, which will be created in collaboration with Therme Group, a global pioneer in wellness innovation. This unique idea aspires to combine leisure, healthcare, and entertainment in one cutting-edge getaway.

The resort will be located in Zabeel Park, one of Dubai’s most prominent green spaces, and will span 45 football fields. The park already houses the Dubai Frame, a popular tourist attraction. Therme Dubai is expected to open in 2028, cementing Dubai’s position as a worldwide wellness tourism destination.

Designed by famous architecture firm DS+R (Diller Scofidio + Renfro), the 500,000-square-foot resort will soar 100 meters high and accommodate up to 1.7 million people every year. The facility will include three zones: a Play Zone with exhilarating water slides, a Relax Zone with indoor and outdoor thermal pools, and a Restore Zone with saunas, steam rooms, and mineral baths.

Therme Dubai will also have three 18-meter waterfalls, 15 water slides, immersive art displays, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. A key attraction will be the world’s largest indoor botanical garden, which will promote urban biodiversity and sustainability.