Hong Kong Airport, The Wing, First Dining RoomCathay Pacific has revealed a fully redesigned version of its flagship The Wing, First lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, marking a new phase in its premium ground experience strategy.Set to reopen on 22 April 2026, the lounge introduces a more refined, residential-style design developed with StudioIlse, combining familiar elements with enhanced privacy, comfort and service.Key featuresThe redesigned space centres around: A light-filled Atrium with a signature bar and flexible all-day dining An upgraded Dining Room offering à la carte service and Chinese dishes in partnership with Mott 32 Expanded wellness facilities, including…
Author: Isla
20 April 2026 17:50 Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) has announced the cancellation of earlier recommendations to suspend ticket sales for flights to the United Arab Emirates and has lifted restrictions on the use of Iranian airspace, TASS reports. “Taking into account the position of the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, we have cancelled the recommendations for Russian airlines to suspend ticket sales on flights to/from the UAE. We have also lifted restrictions on flights of Russian airlines through Iranian airspace. Transit flights and flights to airports in this country may be operated…
HONG KONG – Japan’s beloved manga “Chiikawa” is back in Hong Kong for good this time, with the viral sensation opening the city’s first permanent merchandise store over the weekend after a pop-up shop last summer, just in time for China’s lucrative weeklong holiday spending spree. The Chiikawa shop, which opened on Saturday, features plush toys that combine the manga characters with classic delicacies of “cha chaan teng,” Hong Kong’s iconic casual eateries, such as creamy egg tarts, pineapple buns and wonton noodle soup. Another set highlights the red-white-blue carriage bag, which is believed to have been developed in Japan…
Jakarta. Indonesia’s waste crisis is exposing deep-rooted flaws in regulatory enforcement and system design, with experts urging a shift from fragmented policies to a more integrated, enforceable governance framework. The country generates approximately 144,839 tons of waste per day, equivalent to the volume of 12 Borobudur temples, yet only about 25% is properly managed. Indonesia has previously experienced major waste-related disasters, including the Leuwigajah landfill collapse, while sites such as Bantargebang landfill continue to face persistent pressure. Despite this, waste remains a critical and unresolved problem. Muhammad “Sano” Bijaksana Junerosano, founder and CEO of Waste4Change, said the core issue lies…
Feature projects by three women writer-directors from Ukraine, Lebanon and India with female protagonists at the centre have been awarded a total of over €800,000 in production support by the Franco-German ‘mini-traité; co-production fund at its latest session held in Paris. The fund, which is jointly administered and financed by France’s CNC and the German Federal Film Fund (FFA), allocated €400,000 to Ukrainian actress Masha Kondakova’s Warrior, to be produced by Germany’s Weydemann Bros. and France’s Ici et Là Productions with further production partners from Ukraine and Poland. Kondakova’s feature fiction debut centres on a female sniper returning home from…
Stronger push into Southeast AsiaWith the addition of Bangkok, flydubai continues to expand its presence in the region. The airline already flies to destinations such as Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia, and says demand for travel in Southeast Asia remains strong.Company chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith said the new route reflects growing travel demand and the airline’s focus on offering more choice to passengers. He said the expansion also supports tourism recovery and helps strengthen trade and travel links between the UAE and key markets.Meeting summer travel demandflydubai’s commercial operations chief Sudhir Sreedharan said Bangkok remains a popular destination for…
Piovan Group has expanded its food & powders division with the opening of a major new production facility in Modena, Italy, significantly increasing its capacity to supply ingredient‑handling and processing technologies to the global food industry.The new 14,000m² site, almost three times the size of the division’s previous 5,000m² facility, marks a strategic investment in one of the company’s fastest‑growing business areas.The food & powders division has risen from €2 million to €60 million in revenue over the past decade, driven by rising demand for automated, hygienic and energy‑efficient systems for handling powders, ingredients and mixes across bakery, beverage, nutrition…
On April 20, 2026, as Malaysia’s dry season peaks, Batu Caves near Gombak beckons with its massive golden statue and 272 colorful steps leading to sacred Hindu temples. American travelers can fly from LAX or JFK to Kuala Lumpur for under $800 round-trip, discovering this limestone wonder just 13 km north of the capital. Plan your visit to this must-see site blending nature and devotion. On April 20, 2026, as the dry season peaks in Malaysia, Batu Caves in Gombak stands as a mesmerizing blend of nature and devotion, welcoming over a million visitors annually to its dramatic limestone cliffs…
Denmark’s women produced a standout performance to claim the Melrose Claymores Sevens title in Hong Kong, overcoming Thailand 17–14 in a tightly contested final. Played alongside the Hong Kong Sevens on the same pitch and over the same weekend, the Claymores is a three-team invitational tournament on both the men’s and women’s sides. Introduced in 2024, the competition had previously featured only Asian teams, making Denmark’s inclusion—and eventual triumph—all the more notable. The Danes showed resilience from the outset, opening their campaign with a 14–14 draw against defending champions Hong Kong China. A narrow loss to Thailand followed, but Denmark…
[Editor’s Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.]As the world watches and hopes for a permanent ceasefire outcome from US-Iran talks, the UAE President’s advisor has said for relations to return to as they were, it would be “unacceptable to accept threats” as a new reality. Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in southern Turkey, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE President said the meeting was the first gathering since the recent Iran conflict, as countries try to understand the “contours of the new phase” and the changing political landscape,…