The deal for the twin-engine carrier-based fighters, built for sustained combat operations at sea, is estimated to be worth around ₹50,000 crore. India will begin trade talks with France this week to buy 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for the country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, officials with knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday. … Read more
International tourism increased significantly in the first quarter of 2024, reaching 97% of pre-pandemic levels, with more than 285 million travelers making international trips between January and March 2024. This marked a 20% increase compared to the same period in 2023, indicating an almost complete recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. UN tourism … Read more
India has been ranked 36th out of 119 countries in the recently released World Economic Forum (WEF) Tourism Development Index 2024. The United States of America was ranked 1st while India was ranked highest in South Asia. Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024 The Travel and Tourism Development Index is a biennial report published … Read more
After a global unveiling at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last month, Chinese electronics brand Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra smartphones in India on March 7. Both smartphones boast an imaging system created in collaboration with German optical entity Leica. The Xiaomi 14 will be available for purchase from March … Read more
Saudi Arabia held its inaugural fashion show with swimwear models on Friday, marking a major shift in a country where less than a decade ago women were required to wear body-covering abaya robes. As reported by AFP, the poolside event showcased Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal’s collection, which included mostly one-piece swimwear in shades of red, … Read more
Russia and India are set to boost their tourism ties as they prepare to launch visa-free group tourism exchanges. The first round of consultations between the two nations is scheduled for June with the goal of finalizing a bilateral agreement by the end of the year. Nikita Kondratyev, Director of the Multilateral Economic Cooperation and … Read more
Amid the ongoing Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, the government has imposed a ban on the use of mobile phones within 50 meters of the Kedarnath temple. The decision aims to ensure a hassle-free darshan experience for devotees. Strict enforcement and penalties Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Radha Raturi announced that strict action would be taken against … Read more
Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams is preparing for her third space mission aboard the Starliner spacecraft. It is scheduled to depart on May 7, 2024 and is at least 24 hours late. In an interview with NDTV, Williams said she plans to take a “good luck charm” – an idol of Lord Ganesha – with her … Read more
The Thai cabinet has approved a plan to extend the visa-free program for tourists from India and Taiwan for another six months. The Southeast Asian country aims to increase foreign inflows to boost its stagnant economy. Tourists from India and Taiwan will be able to enter Thailand visa-free until November 11 after the existing exemption … Read more
The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board has partnered with Starscapes, a leading astrotourism company, to introduce Nakshatra Sabha, a new initiative to provide people with a comprehensive astrotourism experience. The campaign will feature a variety of activities, including stargazing, special solar viewing, astrophotography contests, camping under the stars and more. The initiative aims to bring together … Read more