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.
Istanbul, Türkiye – October 23, 2024 – The prestigious 7th Edition Burj CEO Awards was successfully held at the luxurious Raffles Istanbul on celebrating exceptional leadership and business excellence across various industries. Hosted and organised by CEO Clubs Network, one of the largest networking organizations in the world. The mega event gathered global leaders and major government dignitaries, fostering an atmosphere rich in networking and collaboration. Guests enjoyed a diverse array of entertainment programs, enhancing the celebratory spirit of the evening. The awards ceremony not only recognized remarkable achievements but also served as an opportunity for sharing insights and forging strategic partnerships among industry leaders globally.
The chief guest of honor was king of meat, Mr. Cuneyt Asan. This year’s awards recognized outstanding figures, including Ayesha Sohaib Mustafa, honored as Burj CEO of the Year, Serenity awarded as Start-up Company of the Year, Mr. Seyit Atik Hofiani of Seyit Hofiani Jewellery LLC received accolades for the Best Stone of Afghanistan, also awarded Turkish Airlines, Serenity, Castelli Milano 1938, and MasterCard. Their recognition reflects our commitment to driving local economic growth, fostering partnerships, and empowering businesses to thrive in the global market.
Dr. Tariq Nizami, Founder & CEO of the CEO Clubs Network, expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the award ceremony in Türkiye, emphasizing the nation’s vibrant culture and strategic significance in the global business landscape. “We are thrilled to bring together esteemed leaders and innovators from around the world to share their knowledge and experiences, resulting collaboration and growth in today’s dynamic market,” he stated.
The 7th Edition of the Burj CEO Awards, under the theme “Bridging Continents, Celebrating Excellence,” recognised nearly 50 leaders and organizations and showcased the importance of extra-ordinary achievers and game changers oin driving progress across industries. This prestigious event underscored the vital role that excellence plays in advancing economic growth and development globally.
The Burj CEO Awards, renowned for recognizing outstanding business leaders and organizations, aligns with the core vision of empowering leaders and boosting economies worldwide. The awards continue to serve as an inspiration for celebrating those who inspire change and lead with innovation. The Burj CEO Awards, known as the “Oscars” of the business world, has recognized nearly 400 business leaders since its inception in 2016, inspiring excellence across the global business community.
The Rajasthan government has signed a significant investment agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Rs 3 lakh crore ($35 billion) to boost renewable energy output in the state. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and UAE Investment Minister Mohammad Hassan Al Suwaidi. The funding would assist solar, wind, and hybrid projects totalling 60 GW in Rajasthan’s western regions.
Chief Minister Sharma emphasised the project’s importance in helping India meet its lofty goal of producing 500 GW of solar energy. He emphasised that Rajasthan needs to add 250 GW of solar capacity to make a meaningful contribution to this target. Sharma described the relationship with the UAE as a critical step towards achieving these renewable energy goals.
Suwaidi, the UAE Minister for Investment, and Ajitabh Sharma, the Principal Secretary of Rajasthan’s Industry Department, both signed the MoU. Rajasthan has developed as a popular location for investors due to its favourable investment policies. The state now ranks #1 in India for renewable energy production and plans to fulfil rising electricity demand over the next decade.
The Chief Minister welcomed Suwaidi to the ‘Rajasthan Global Investment Summit-2024,’ which would take place in Jaipur from December 9 to 11.
UAE citizens from 97 eligible countries will soon be able to apply for an electronic visa on arrival (e-VoA) when visiting Indonesia, according to a new collaboration between the country and VFS Global. This agreement, launched on Wednesday, intends to streamline the visa application process by allowing travellers to apply online before their trip for faster admission.
The e-VoA service will likely launch in December 2024, allowing UAE residents and nationals of other qualified countries to complete their applications online. Travellers can avoid long airport waits by submitting papers and paying the visa price of IDR 500,000 (about Dh120) plus a VFS Global service fee of IDR 230,000 (about Dh50) in advance. Once pre-approved, travellers can enter Indonesia easily via e-gates or immigration counters.
The system also employs advanced technologies, such as Optical Character Recognition (OCR), to decrease errors and accelerate the process. Group bookings for conventions or trips will also be possible, making it perfect for larger groups. VFS Global has partnered with Emirates to ensure that travellers can apply for e-VoA directly through the airline’s website, which adds convenience. The company is also growing its support network, with locations in Dubai, Mumbai, and Shanghai, with customer care available in seven languages.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology will host a four-day mobile cybersecurity awareness expo in Riyadh organised by the National Cybersecurity Authority. This event coincides with Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which is conducted worldwide in October to raise awareness of digital risks and safe online habits.
The exhibition includes six interactive pavilions that educate visitors on key cybersecurity principles and online threat defence techniques. These pavilions feature live simulations of key historical cyberattacks against both individuals and organisations. Visitors are urged to participate in these simulations, which measure their present degree of cybersecurity knowledge using interactive approaches.
In addition to the demos, visitors will receive general consultations and expert tips on preventing cyberattacks, allowing them to better protect their digital surroundings.
The Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s leadership of the event highlights the nation’s dedication to enhancing cybersecurity infrastructure. Abdulhadi Al-Mansouri and Majed Al-Mazyad inked strategic agreements on behalf of the Ministry and the Saudi Information Technology Company. These agreements aim to strengthen the Kingdom’s cybersecurity framework while also aligning with broader national aims such as safeguarding digital platforms and providing citizens with a safer online experience.
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, is on an official visit to the UAE from October 21 to 24, with the goal of strengthening defence cooperation and exploring new avenues of collaboration between the two navies, according to the Ministry of Defence. During his visit, Admiral Tripathi will observe the third edition of the India-UAE bilateral naval exercise, which will further strengthen the nations’ strategic cooperation.
As part of his schedule, Admiral Tripathi will meet with Rear Admiral Pilot Saeed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Commander of the UAE Naval Forces, and other key authorities. This visit highlights the commitment to strengthening defence connections and marine cooperation, in line with the broader Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which encompasses many sectors.
Admiral Tripathi is also scheduled to visit the UAE’s National Defence College, where he will interact with student officers to promote military education and teamwork. Ongoing cooperation engagements between the Indian Navy and UAE Navy include operational exchanges such as port calls, reciprocal visits, and joint naval exercises, as well as the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC), all of which play an important role in improving bilateral maritime security.
Dr. Hisham Aljadhey, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), led Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the 19th Annual International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities (ICDRA) in New Delhi, India, on October 14-18, 2024.
The Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare worked together to organise this high-profile event, which Anupriya Patel, India’s Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, opened. The World Health Organisation (WHO) played an important role in co-hosting the meeting.
ICDRA provides a forum for worldwide regulatory bodies to collaborate, share knowledge, and develop suggestions aimed at improving drug regulatory processes. This year’s subject, “Smart Regulation: Providing Quality-Assured Medical Products for All,” addressed medical product safety, regulatory changes, and the governance of cutting-edge health innovations.
During his remarks, Dr. Aljadhey emphasised the need for international collaboration in maintaining medical product safety. “Our discussions on ‘Smart Regulation’ will drive innovative solutions and strengthen global frameworks, enhancing healthcare outcomes for all,” according to him.
The ICDRA, which has been held biennially since 1980, brings together WHO member states to enhance drug regulation cooperation and public safety through improved regulatory standards.
Singapore has created a voluntary scheme to rate medical devices based on their cybersecurity features. The Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme for Medical Devices, which was implemented on October 16, evaluates devices to verify they fulfil requirements for protecting against data breaches and cyber assaults.
At the Singapore International Cyber Week, Senior Minister Dr Janil Puthucheary emphasised the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures as medical devices become more connected to networks, heightening possible risks. Devices must already comply with Health Sciences Authority (HSA) laws, but this new system, designed in collaboration with the Cyber Security Agency (CSA), Ministry of Health, and Synapxe, provides additional precautions.
The scheme applies to a variety of devices, including pacemakers and ventilators, that handle sensitive patient data. Devices are rated on four levels, with higher levels requiring third-party testing and meeting severe standards. A nine-month experiment tested 47 devices, some receiving Level 1 ratings.
TIIM Healthcare’s aiTriage device, which is not internet-enabled, obtained a Level 1 rating. COO Michael Cheng emphasised the company’s Bluetooth capabilities and the need of cybersecurity in securing patient data. Applications for the labelling program are now open on GoBusiness, with labels valid for three years.
Singapore also signed mutual recognition agreements with South Korea and Germany to strengthen international cybersecurity cooperation.
NASA’s ₹43,700 crore Europa Clipper mission has taken off from the Kennedy Space Centre on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, aiming at exploring whether Jupiter’s ice moon Europa might sustain life.
The spacecraft will travel 1.8 billion miles via Mars and Earth gravity assistance, marking NASA’s first dedicated ocean world exploration beyond Earth. In 2031, it is scheduled to start conducting scientific flybys of Europa, collecting data through 49 close passes.
Europa, which is about the size of the Moon, probably has a huge ocean beneath its frozen surface. Previous expeditions, such as Galileo, suggested the existence of potentially organic molecules and salty water. In order to determine whether Europa is habitable, the nine science instruments aboard the Europa Clipper—which include thermal sensors and an ice-penetrating radar—will examine the icy shell, atmosphere, and ocean interactions.
The mission was hailed as a major milestone in the search for possibly habitable worlds by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. NASA’s Science Mission Directorate’s Nicky Fox highlighted how Europa Clipper will expand on findings from earlier missions such as Voyager and Juno.
