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 expect
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.
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 m
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 Chu
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) disc
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 opponen
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
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
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 e
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