African rhino populations are on a rise despite poaching and habitat loss, according to the new figures from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The new figures, released on September %%, highlight that protection and biological management initiatives across the continent have resulted in black rhino populations rising by 4.2% to a population of 6,487, and white rhino populations rising by 5.6% to a population of 16,803. It is the first time since 2012 that there has been an increase in the white rhino population, the species classified as ‘near threatened’ on
Starting in 2024, Singapore’s Changi Airport will introduce automated immigration clearance, which will allow passengers to depart the city-state without passports, using only biometric data, say officials. Biometric technology, along with facial recognition software, is already in use to some extent at the famous airport’s automated lanes at immigration checkpoints. The upcoming changes will “reduce the need for passengers to repeatedly present their travel documents at touch points and allow for more seamless and convenient processing,” Communications Minister Josephine Teo said
Haryana’s Sunil Kumar, a 32-year-old banker by profession, successfully scaled Mt Manaslu in Nepal on September 21, achieving the feat of being the first Indian climber to summit the world’s eighth highest mountain peak in this season. Kumar reached the peak of Mt Manaslu, with the height of 8,163 metres above sea level, at 5.25 am local time. He was accompanied by a Nepalese climber Sangita Kumari Rokaya and two mountain guides, Lakpa Gyaljen Sherpa and Chhangba Sherpa. The team climbed the mountain situated on the northern side of central Nepal in Gorkha district.
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, is setting his sights on Indian tourists to boost tourism in the country. He said that he would make a trip to India this year with plans to meet his counterpart Narendra Modi and discuss increasing flight frequency between the two countries, including more services by flag carrier Thai Airways International Pcl. In a media interview on September 18, Srettha Thavisin pointed out that there are not that many incoming flights from India yet due to internal politics, and he hopes to visit India before the end of the year to negotiate on the issue
Norway Climate Minister Espen Barth Eide said that there is ingenuity which is being seen in Indian science, business and academics, which is really important for the country to partner with. The minister was speaking at the 3rd International Climate Summit 2023 organised on September 14 and 15, 2023 in New Delhi. “There’s simply no way that we can solve the climate crisis...without a strong engagement from India,” he said, adding, “It is important for the rest of us because of India’s size and population.” The 3rd International Climate Summit 2023 built on the momentum crea
Dubai’s real estate market experienced a staggering surge in apartment prices in August 2023, marking the most significant increase in nearly ten years. This surge continues to fuel the city’s transformation into one of the world's most dynamic and competitive housing markets. The recent housing boom in Dubai, primarily driven by larger single-family homes until now, is now extending its influence to apartment prices. Apartments constitute approximately 85% of the available housing supply in this bustling Middle East hub for business and tourism. Prices for apartments rose 20% on av
Delhi Metro has increased the operational speed of Metro trains on the Airport Express Line to 120 kmph starting September 18. With this, the total journey from New Delhi station to newly-built Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 station will take about 21 minutes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a metro ride to reach the new station at Dwarka Sector-25. The train he travelled in moved at 120 kmph, leading to the formal start of services with enhanced speed on the Airport Express Line. PM Modi on September 18 also inaugurated the first phase of YashoBhoomi, the India International Convention an
OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman has become the first person to get Indonesia’s Golden Visa. The ChatGPT creator would now enjoy priority security screening at Indonesian airports, longer stay periods in the country, and easier entry and exit processes, among other perks. Indonesiahas launched the golden visa program to attract foreign investment. The 10-year visa has been issued to Altman as he has an international reputation and may bring benefits to the country, said the country’s immigration office. Introduced on September 2 to boost economic development, the new visa a
As wildfires raged across the state of Louisiana in August, a remarkable meteorological phenomenon was captured on camera in Sabine Parish, a firenado. This event occurred amidst the ongoing wildfires in Northwest Louisiana on August 25. A firenado is short for fire tornado. It is a rare weather occurrence caused by the combination of scorching air from a wildfire and swirling wind gusts moving in different directions. As statewide fires continued to burn Louisiana, the video footage of Sabine Parish's wildfires showing a rare weather phenomenon surfaced. Officials of the Louisiana Depa
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has set up the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) as a federal authority to introduce a world-leading regulatory framework for a national lottery and commercial gaming. Globally respected regulator Kevin Mullally has been appointed as CEO. He has over 30 years of experience in national and international gaming regulation to the GCGRA. The GCGRA is led by a team of internationally credentialed leaders, all with proven track records and a deep understanding of global best practices in regulating and maintaining an effective, safe, and respon