Goa's Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte, has slammed social media influencers for allegedly spreading false information about the state's tourism industry. He claims that some influencers have been paid to malign Goa's image, citing data that shows domestic tourist arrivals have actually surpassed last year's figures. Hotel occupancy rates for five- and four-star hotels have been close to 100%, and 60-65% for lower-category hotels.

In 2024, the rural development ministry of India put a strong emphasis on women empowerment, particularly through self-help groups (SHGs). Over 10 crore rural households were mobilized into nearly 91 lakh SHGs, with a large number of women benefiting from various rural development schemes. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has been a major contributor to women's employment, with over 6.7 crore women workers provided employment in the current financial

The UK government has updated its travel advisory for India, particularly focusing on the possession and use of satellite phones. According to the revised advisory from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), British nationals are cautioned that carrying or operating satellite phones in India without a valid license is illegal. The advisory notes that several Britons have been arrested for attempting to bring satellite phones and other satellite-enabled navigational devices i

As the US tourism industry struggles to return to pre-pandemic levels, the hospitality sector has found hope in the rising number of Indian visitors. In 2024, nearly 1.9 million Indians traveled to the US, marking a 48% increase from 2019, driven by a rise in business and leisure visas. This influx is supporting the recovery of US tourism, with hotels and travel companies adjusting their offerings to cater to Indian tastes, such as providing chai and samosas in hotel lobbies and airing popula

New Taliban Order on Women Employment in NGOs The Taliban government has declared that all national and foreign NGOs in Afghanistan must stop employing women or face being shut down. This decision follows a previous instruction to suspend female employment due to the alleged improper wearing of the Islamic headscarf. NGOs that fail to comply with this order will lose their licenses to operate in Afghanistan, as per a warning issued by the Ministry of Economy on Sunday. Impact

India completed a 3-0 series sweep over the West Indies in the final Women's ODI in Vadodara on Friday, thanks to Deepti Sharma's career-best performance with the ball and a crucial unbeaten knock with the bat. Sharma claimed remarkable figures of 6/31, supported by pacer Renuka Singh, who took 4/29, as India bowled West Indies out for just 162. India faced a brief wobble while chasing, losing four quick wickets to be at 73/4, but Sharma (39 not out off 48 balls) guided them to victor

January   - Dates: Saturday, January 11 – Tuesday, January 14   - Holidays: Makar Sankranti / Pongal (January 14)   - Plan: Take leave on Monday, January 13.   Where to Go: &

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term in office, a growing number of U.S. colleges and universities are advising international students to return to campus before January 20, 2025, due to concerns that Trump may reinstate or expand travel restrictions. This advice follows the previous travel bans imposed during his first administration, which restricted entry to the U.S. for citizens from certain predominantly Muslim countries. Many schools, including Ivy League institu

India's stand-in captain, Smriti Mandhana, made history with her brilliant performance against the West Indies at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Mandhana scored a match-winning 77 runs off 47 balls, marking her 30th fifty in T20 internationals. This remarkable achievement broke the long-standing record held by New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, who had scored 29 fifties. Mandhana’s milesto

China, the world's second-largest economy, is working to recover from the effects of its three years of pandemic isolation. In a bid to attract more international visitors and boost its economy, China recently announced an expansion of its visa-free transit policy. The new policy, which is effective immediately, allows travelers from 54 countries, including the US, Canada, and several European and Asian nations, to stay in parts of China for up to 10 days. Previously, the visa-f

Indian tourists may soon enjoy visa-free travel to Russia, with the new arrangement expected by spring 2025. Since August 2023, Indian travelers have already been eligible for e-visas, which are processed within four days. The upcoming visa-free travel agreement will further strengthen tourism ties between India and Russia. In 2023, Russia granted 9,500 e-visas to Indian visitors, placing India among the top five countries for easy travel access to Russia. Consultations between Mosc

More than 100 passengers of an Air India flight, scheduled to fly from Phuket to New Delhi on November 16, have been stranded for over 80 hours due to ongoing technical issues. According to multiple social media posts from passengers, the flight was initially delayed by six hours due to a technical fault. After waiting for hours, passengers were told to board the plane, only to be deboarded an hour later when the flight was canceled. The airline allegedly prepped the same plane for

In the upcoming US presidential election, the issue of abortion rights is emerging as a significant factor that is influencing Indian American women's voting preferences. This demographic group, part of the second-largest immigrant community in the United States, is showing a strong inclination towards supporting candidates who advocate for reproductive rights. Meeta Damani, an Indian American documentary filmmaker in New Jersey, emphasizes the interconnected nature of reproductive rights

Women continue to inspire and transform their communities by breaking barriers and rewriting traditional norms. This spirit was celebrated at the IAMGAME Conclave 2024, which brought together remarkable women from the sports world and beyond, highlighting their achievements and shared experiences. Namrata Parekh, CEO of a century-old legacy football club, addressed the challenges women face in male-dominated spaces, emphasizing the need for their voices to be heard and their relevan

Nikita Porwal, the recently crowned Femina Miss India World 2024, shares her inspiring journey from a traditional family in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, to the beauty pageant stage. In a candid interview, she reveals that while her parents may not have been familiar with contemporary terms like feminism and women empowerment, their actions truly embodied these values. Celebrating her birth as a victory rather than a disappointment, her family showed love and support during her upbringing

The Women’s T20 World Cup will see a new champion this year as New Zealand Women defeated the 2016 champions, West Indies Women, in the semi-final match on Friday. The White Ferns will face South Africa in the final on Sunday, following South Africa's earlier victory over Australia in the first semi-final. Chasing a target of 129 runs, the West Indies were restricted to 120 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in Sharjah. The West Indies' bowling attack initially showed prom

India's exit from the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 has sparked significant debate around the future of the team and its leadership. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has come under fire after the team's disappointing performances against New Zealand and Australia, leading to questions about her captaincy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly planning to convene a meeting with head coach Amol Muzumdar and the selection committee to discuss the team's fu

Menopause can bring significant hormonal changes that impact mental health, leading to mood swings, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. Here are ten effective strategies to help you navigate this transition and maintain your mental well-being: Exercise Regularly Physical activity boosts endorphins, which enhance mood and reduce stress. Aim for activities like yoga, walking, or swimming to improve overall energy and mental healt

Team India suffered a surprising nine-run defeat to Australia in their final Group A match of the Women's T20 World Cup held in Sharjah on Sunday, significantly harming their chances of advancing to the semi-finals. The outcome now hinges on the result of the match between Pakistan and New Zealand, which will ultimately determine the fate of captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her team. In this crucial match, India restricted the defending champions to 151/8

Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen has candidly reflected on her recent Olympic experience, acknowledging that it wasn't her day after a surprising medal-less campaign. Competing in the 50kg women's boxing category, Nikhat, a two-time world champion, faced top seed Wu Yu of China in the preliminary round, resulting in a unanimous decision loss. This early exit was especially disheartening for Nikhat, as many boxers she had previously defeated went on to win medals. "Nobody is p