News

Chennai’s bioluminescent waves spark wonder

Recently, a rare and captivating sight appeared at the East Coast Road (ECR) beach in Chennai—blue bioluminescent waves. Videos of the glowing waves crashing onto the beach quickly gained attention on social media. Rajya Sabha MP Anbumani Ramadoss shared a video of the phenomenon, expressing his amazement. Have you ever had the chance to witness this phenomenon? These occurrences of bioluminescence are unpredictable and rely heavily on specific environmental factors. The most crucial factors include water temperature, salinity levels, and the presence of bioluminescent microorganisms, The microorganisms emit light, creating a glowing effect in the water, particularly when disturbed by waves, currents, or even footsteps along the shore. This ethereal glow can be fleeting, as even slight changes in temperature or water quality can impact the visibility of the phenomenon, making it a rare and elusive sight for those hoping to catch a glimpse.

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Bengaluru Airport's Terminal 2 Redefines Travel With Exceptional Dining Options

Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport has redefined the airport experience with the launch of its upgraded Terminal 2. Known as the 'Terminal in a Garden,' T2 seamlessly integrates nature with cutting-edge architecture. Upon entering, passengers are greeted by lush greenery and sustainable interiors, creating an atmosphere more akin to a serene retreat than a bustling travel hub. However, the real highlight of T2 is its extraordinary dining options. Whether you prefer traditional dishes or global favourites, the terminal is nothing short of a culinary haven, offering a wide range of options that include well-known brands and outlets making their debut in India. One of the key attractions is the award-winning 080 Lounge, where travellers can relax and enjoy a menu curated by celebrity chef Ranveer Brar. For those seeking a more casual setting, Radio Station offers a bar-style atmosphere, serving drinks and dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Coffee aficionados will appreciate Kodagu Cafe's authentic South Indian filter coffee. Additionally, the Business Class Lounge - Qila offers an impressive menu featuring dishes like Paneer Butter Masala and Kozhi Ghee Roast, alongside desserts such as Saffron and Pista Gulab Jamun, all prepared with ingredients sourced within a 50-mile radius, ensuring fresh and local flavours. Terminal 2's dining experience extends beyond local cuisine, with international culinary heavyweights like Wolfgang Puck and James Martin Kitchen offering gourmet meals in an elegant setting. PF Chang's, making its Indian debut, brings a fresh take on Asian fusion cuisine. For a taste of tradition, Maiyas offers authentic Karnataka dishes, while Gully Kitchen serves up street food favourites like biryanis, dosas, and samosas. International brands such as Johnny Rockets and Hard Rock Cafe are also present, offering American classics and signature burgers. Giraffe adds to the global variety with a menu spanning diverse international cuisines.

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Indonesia is offering visa-free travel to 96 countries

In a bid to boost tourism, Indonesia has announced visa-free travel to 96 countries. The beautiful archipelago with over 17,000 islands, is a coastal dream destination for visitors from across the globe. As of October 2024, Indonesia has experienced a substantial surge in inbound tourism, driven by its expanded visa-free policy, booming economic growth, and improved infrastructure. The new visa-free policy now allows citizens from 96 countries, including the USA, Japan, UK, UAE, and Mexico, to enter Indonesia without a visa, significantly boosting its appeal to international visitors. May 2024 saw a significant rise in international tourist arrivals to Indonesia, reaching 1.15 million visitors. This represents a 7.36% increase compared to April 2024 and a 20.11% rise compared to May 2023. The consistent growth in tourism underscores Indonesia’s rising popularity as a global travel destination. The majority of visitors came from neighboring countries, with Malaysia (17.47%), Australia (11.98%), and Singapore (9.69%) leading the way. This trend reflects Indonesia’s strong regional ties and its strategic position as a travel hub in Southeast Asia.

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Japan's bullet train hosts world's first zombie apocalypse experience for travellers

It's usually a serene two-and-a-half-hour ride on Japan's famously efficient bullet train. But the journey quickly descended into a zombie apocalypse, with passengers screaming in terror. Organisers of Saturday's adrenaline-filled trip, less than two weeks before Halloween, touted it as the "world's first haunted house experience on a running shinkansen". On board one chartered car of the shinkansen -- the Japanese word for bullet train -- were around 40 thrill-seekers, ready to brave an encounter with the living dead between Tokyo and the western metropolis of Osaka. The eerie experience was inspired by the hit 2016 South Korean action-horror movie "Train to Busan", in which a father and daughter trapped on a moving train battle zombies hungry for human flesh. All seemed normal at first as the bullet train made a peaceful departure Saturday evening, but it wasn't long until the first gory attack. The victims -- actors planted in seats by the organisers -- jerked in agony and then underwent a terrifying transformation before starting a rampage against their fellow passengers. Event organiser Kenta Iwana of the group Kowagarasetai, which translates to the "scare squad", said they wanted to "depict the normally safe, peaceful shinkansen -- something we take for granted -- collapsing in the blink of an eye".

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Explore Ahmedabad in just 24 hours

Ahmedabad, steeped in a rich tapestry of mosques, tombs, and forts will captivate you at every turn, compelling you to absorb its grandeur. Founded in 1411 by Ahmed Shah I of the Gujarat Sultanate, the walled city was declared India’s first World Heritage City by UNESCO in 2017. If you have just 24 hours in this the 600-year-old city and are unsure of what to see, here is a beginner’s guide: Before exploring the ancient relics of the walled city, enjoy a hearty breakfast at Lucky Restaurant, locally known as Dine with the Dead. It is famous for its unique ambience, where diners eat beside coffins, and it also proudly displays a painting gifted by MF Husain. Alternatively, you can visit New Irani Restaurant to savour Mughlai dishes along with its mouth watering bun maska and Irani chai. 7am: Before exploring the ancient relics of the walled city, enjoy a hearty breakfast at Lucky Restaurant, locally known as Dine with the Dead. It is famous for its unique ambience, where diners eat beside coffins, and it also proudly displays a painting gifted by MF Husain. Alternatively, you can visit New Irani Restaurant to savour Mughlai dishes along with its mouth watering bun maska and Irani chai. 10am: Begin your exploration from Sidi Sayed Mosque. Popularly known as Sidi Sayed Ni Jali, the mosque features depiction of the kalpavriksha or ‘tree of life’. It appears on latticework where the branches are intricately intertwined is a symbolic representation of the city and the logo of the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

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Saudia Wins The World's Most Improved Airline

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, was named ‘The World's Most Improved Airline’ and ranked number one for the Best Economy Class Airline Catering at the 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards. The event was hosted by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization, known for its evaluation of the global airline industry. The World Airline Awards are based on a comprehensive global customer satisfaction survey conducted over several months, covering more than 375 airlines worldwide. In recent years, Saudia has demonstrated unparalleled progress in its rankings, earning the title of ‘The World's Most Improved Airline’ for the third time. Saudia’s remarkable trajectory has seen its ranking surge over the past seven years, leaping from 82nd place in 2017 to 23rd in 2023, and achieving the 20th position in 2024. Saudia’s ‘SHINE’ transformation program has been instrumental in accomplishing this remarkable achievement as the initiatives are focused on elevating the guest experience, optimizing operational efficiency, and enhancing its service and product offerings, followed by the launching of Saudia’s new era of digital transformation and cutting-edge technologies. These efforts have propelled Saudia to rank among the top 10 airlines globally in On-Time Performance (OTP) throughout 2023, maintaining this position for six consecutive months. Notably, in May 2024, Saudia was ranked among the top five for arrival On-Time Performance (OTP-A) and first globally for the highest departure On-Time Performance (OTP-D).

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