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Uttarakhand government imposes ban on mobile phones near Char Dham Temples

In response to the surging number of tourists, the Uttarakhand government has implemented a ban on mobile phone usage within a 200-metre radius of the Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri temples. This measure was decided during a special meeting on the Chardham pilgrimage, chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The government’s decision comes after the state administration's crowd management efforts proved insufficient within just six days of the commencement of the 2024 Chardham pilgrimage. In addition to the mobile phone ban, authorities have also prohibited photography and video recording within 200 metres of these revered temples to maintain decorum and manage the influx of visitors more effectively. If reports are to go by, the government has also mandated that only registered vehicles are allowed on the Chardham routes. This step aims to streamline traffic and ensure a safer, more organised pilgrimage experience for the devotees. Interestingly, this pilgrimage season has seen a footfall twice that of 2023, making crowd management exceedingly difficult. The use of mobile phones near the temples has added to these challenges, causing hindrances in the pilgrimage. If reports are to go by, the current Chardham pilgrimage season has seen an extraordinary number of devotees, with around 2,800,000 registrations in the past month alone. The surge in pilgrims within the first six days of the pilgrimage season overwhelmed the state’s crowd management efforts, with temple premises witnessing a flow of visitors far exceeding their capacity, raising concerns about potential incidents. Additionally, the government has emphasised the necessity for all devotees to register before travelling to Uttarakhand for the Chardham pilgrimage. Registration can be done on the Uttarakhand tourism website. As per reports, strict checks will be conducted at all checkpoints, and unregistered devotees will not be allowed to proceed, aiming to prevent mismanagement and ensure a smooth pilgrimage. The government reassures that the safety of the pilgrims is a top priority, dismissing any reports of stampedes as false. Authorities are committed to taking stringent actions against those spreading fake news.The government’s recent measures aim to address these challenges and ensure a safer and more organised pilgrimage experience for all devotees.

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Flood alert across UK, people warned against travel. Why does UK experience extreme weather conditions?

Are you considering traveling this weekend in the UK? Do reconsider your plans as the government has issued flood alerts across the country. Due to the recent torrential rains and the surface water that has been left behind, the government has issued 30 flood alerts, only to rescind two of them at a later date. The residents have been asked to avoid rivers due to the swelling levels caused by extreme levels of rainfall. The current 28 warnings have been issued for the Greater London area. The areas in the south that have been affected include Canterbury, Swindon, Cambridge, Luton, and Winchester. Details of the alert While the rest of the country except the southern part does not have a warning, the local authorities have been asked to remain on standby and also the residents have been asked to avoid unnecessary travel. The five-day forecast for North-West England and West Midlands warns of surface water flooding and disruption to travel plans. The warning is for Thursday, Friday and Saturday East Surrey and London The warning specifically issued a warning for London and East Surrey. It noted that the rainfall during winters which was above normal and continued till March had led to higher levels of groundwater levels. It added that the Caterham Bourne has been in flow since mid-March and is still flowing in the Whyteleafe and Kenley areas. While the water levels are receding in these areas, there are still possibilities of flooding. Areas at Risk While the entire list of areas that are affected by the floods can be found on the government website, here are some of these areas: Caterham Bourne, Coulsdon Bourne, Beddington, Carshalton, Coulsdon, Kenley, Purley, South Croydon, Whyteleafe, Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich Ginge Brook for the Steventon area down to and including Sutton Courtenay, Lewisham, Bishops Sutton near Alresford in Hampshire, Petham Bourne, Alkham Bourne and Nailbourne including Elham, Barham, Bishopsbourne, Bridge, Patrixbourne and Bekesbourne.

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Kazakhstan | Visa-free travel policy with Vietnam introduced

The Kazakh government announced an agreement with Vietnam for a mutual visa-free travel policy. ‌Key Points: Effective May 25, nationals from each country will be exempt from obtaining a visa to travel to the other country, provided they apply with an active national passport. Tourists will be permitted to stay in the country for 30 calendar days from the date of entry, for a total of 90 calendar days every six months. BAL Analysis: Officials stated that the agreement was signed in August last year in Hanoi. The reciprocal visa-free policy should increase economic and social ties between the two countries.

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All about Jeddah Tower, the soon-to-be world’s tallest skyscraper

Burj Khalifa, the Empire State Building - what’s the common links between these iconic structures? Well, they have long held the esteemed title of the world's tallest skyscraper. However, soon a new structure will likely clinch the said title - Jeddah Tower, a neo-futuristic marvel planned in Saudi Arabia. If reports are to go by, this extraordinary structure is being designed by Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture. The tower will, reportedly, soar to a height of 3,281 ft upon completion in the next four to five years, and will dwarf the Statue of Liberty nearly by eleven times. Smith and Gill describe the design as ‘rooted in the symbolism of Saudi Arabia,’ symbolising future growth for the kingdom with its slender, subtly asymmetrical form reminiscent of palm fronds reaching skyward. Located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the tower will grace the city's skyline as a sign and symbol of progress. Bordering the Red Sea, Jeddah is the second-most populous city in the country, and is dotted with architectural wonders like the Penang Floating Mosque and the historic Al Balad district. Aesthetically, Jeddah Tower embodies a neo-futuristic ethos, characterised by avant-garde design and cutting-edge technology. Renderings reveal a sleek, tapering tower inspired by the elegant curves of palm fronds native to Saudi Arabia. According to the reports, construction on Jeddah Tower commenced in 2013, but faced interruptions, notably in 2018 due to developments within the Binladin Group, the project's contractor. The COVID-19 pandemic further delayed progress. However, in September 2023, reports surfaced that construction had resumed. The Jeddah Economic Company (JEC), overseeing the project, confirms that construction is underway, and is aiming for completion within the next four to five years. Despite setbacks, JEC is actively soliciting contractors and expects to finalise selections within the coming months. At the time of its pause, about a third of Jeddah Tower had been completed. Once finished, it will stand at a towering height of 3,281 ft, surpassing the Burj Khalifa by approximately 564 ft. Functionally, Jeddah Tower will serve as a mixed-use complex, incorporating residential, commercial, and office spaces. Additionally, plans include an observation deck, set to become the world's tallest, a Four Seasons hotel, and a sprawling outdoor balcony originally designed as a helipad.

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Schengen Visa Demand Surges In India, Travel Plans Disrupted By Interview Slot Shortages

India saw an uptick in Schengen visa applications last year, with the total reaching 9.7 lakh, marking a 44 percent increase from the previous year’s 6.7 lakh. India ranked second in terms of the percentage increase in applications, trailing only China. Despite the surge in demand, the lack of available visa interview slots disrupted the travel plans of many Indians. “Appointments are simply not available with a majority of Schengen countries. If you want to travel to Europe this summer, the earliest appointment date for Germany and Italy is in July. This is making life very difficult for travelers,” Anil Kalsi, Vice President of the Travel Agents Federation of India, was quoted as saying by TOI. The frustration among applicants and travel agents stems from the challenges posed by the unavailability of visa interview slots, leading to cancellations and financial burdens. “Not getting a visa in time means bearing huge cancellation charges,” Kalsi added. A spokesperson from visa processing agency VFS Global stressed that visa decision timelines are at the discretion of respective foreign missions. They urged travelers to plan well to avoid last-minute surprises and noted that most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days before the date of travel. The recent revisions in the Schengen Visa Code allow applicants to apply for a Schengen visa up to 6 months before their intended travel date. Despite these measures, the dearth of visa interview slots remains a critical issue for Indian travelers. Moreover, the EU’s policy of issuing short-term visas to frequent visitors worsened the challenges faced by travelers. Last month, the European Commission announced new visa rules to help facilitate easier travel for Indian nationals. Under the latest regulations, Indian citizens were given easier access to long-term Schengen visas with multi-year validity. “On 18 April 2024, the European Commission adopted specific rules on the issuing of multiple entry visas to Indian nationals, which are more favourable than the standard rules of the Visa Code that applied to date,” the European Commission said in a statement in April. The revised visa framework — referred to as the “visa cascade” regime — allows Indian nationals residing in the country to obtain long-term, multiple-entry Schengen visas valid for up to two years. The Schengen visa system permits holders to travel freely within the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days within 180 days. The Schengen area consists of 29 European countries.

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European destinations continue strong performance for summer travel

According to the European Travel Commission’s (ETC) latest report, ‘Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel’ Wave 18,[1] intention to travel between May and October 2024 among surveyed Europeans has reached 75%. This marks a significant 3% increase compared to the same period last year. 37% of respondents intend to embark on a single trip, and 57% are gearing up for two or more getaways during this period. Destinations in Southern Europe are preferred by 43% of travellers, with Italy and Spain topping the list. With European air traffic now within touching distance of pre-pandemic levels, intention to fly to vacation spots has reached 55%, an increase of 5% compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, 28% of travellers plan to drive to their destinations, and 13% are opting for more eco-friendly travel by train or bus. Commenting on the findings, Miguel Sanz, President of ETC, said: “It is very positive to see Europeans maintaining their desire to travel despite the ongoing geopolitical and economic circumstances. Popular destinations will continue their strong performance this summer season, but there are also great opportunities for lesser known and quieter destinations as many travellers look for peaceful, authentic experiences.” Europeans determined to travel this spring and summer Despite security concerns and financial constraints, Europeans are displaying remarkable resilience when it comes to travelling this summer season. Enthusiasm for travel is cutting across all age demographics above 25, reaching up to 81% among more mature travellers (aged over 55). This determination, coupled with a desire to secure a holiday at a more favourable price, leads to early bookings. Some 52% of European travellers (including 56% of those aged 18-24) have already fully or partially booked their upcoming trips. The most popular trip length is four to six nights, favoured by 36% of respondents. This is followed by seven to nine nights (26%) and more than ten nights (21%). Travel budgets have stayed consistent compared to a year ago, with 42% of respondents planning to spend up to €1000 per person on their next trip, covering both accommodation and transportation costs. Perceptions of safety crucial when choosing a destination Amidst geopolitical tensions, extreme climate events and economic uncertainties, prioritising safety has become paramount in shaping travellers’ decisions. Feeling safe is the number one criterion when selecting a destination (16%), followed by pleasant weather (13%), bargains and attractive deals (11%), friendly local communities (9%), and lower cost of living at the destination (8%). Despite the strong desire to travel, 22% of Europeans are worried about escalating travel expenses, and 17% are concerned about personal finances amid the current economic climate. Additionally, geopolitical tensions, such as the conflict in Ukraine and unrest in the Middle East, are adding to anxieties, with 12% and 10% respectively expressing unease. Disruptions in transport options (10%), overcrowding (9%), and extreme weather events (8%) are other important sources of concern. Scenic beauty and local cuisine top holiday preferences A significant proportion of European travellers are gearing up for intra-regional trips during May-June (34%) and July-August (44%). Additionally, 17% are planning on travelling in September and October. Leisure travel is on the rise, with 74% expressing a desire to indulge – a 5% jump on last year. Italy and Spain top the list of summer destinations this year, each capturing 8% of respondents’ interest, closely trailed by France (7%), Greece (6%) and Germany (5%). This line-up reflects Europeans’ desire for Sun & Beach trips (20%) and City Breaks (16%), which emerged as the most popular types of holiday for the following months. European travellers cite enjoying scenic beauty (19%) as their most preferred holiday experience, followed by trying local cuisine (17%), engaging with local cultures (15%), and admiring famous landmarks (15%).

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