“We are incredibly excited to host the world’s largest sporting event,” says Saudi Tourism Authority CEO, Fahd Hamidaddin. “Saudi welcomed over 100 million visitors in 2023, and we are the fastest-growing tourism destination in the G20. As the Heart of Arabia, we are eager to welcome visitors to experience our beautiful country, and the breadth of its wonders – from the mountains of Aseer to the shimmering waters of the Saudi Red Sea, the vast dunes, our human and natural heritage will dazzle and inspire. Our dynamic tourism sector ensures visitors have a seamless experience across all touchpoints, and we invite the world to experience the magic of Saudi now. Whether seeking adrenaline, culture, or relaxation, a visit in advance of the World Cup will offer a taste of Saudi, and our famed hospitality, where, with hearts open, we invite everyone to experience the warmest of Saudi welcomes.”

The FIFA World Cup 2034 will be the first time the 48-team tournament will be hosted by a single country. Saudi’s host cities include Riyadh, blending modern entertainment with historic treasures at Diriyah; Jeddah, showcasing the glimmering Red Sea and Al Balad, Historic Jeddah’s charm; Al Khobar, featuring serene beaches and cultural landmarks; and Abha, with its lush landscapes and adventure activities. All of the host cities are set to captivate football fans with state-of-the-art stadiums, world-class amenities, vibrant fan festivals, and a diverse array of cultural experiences.

In celebration of Saudi’s successful FIFA World Cup 2034 bid, STA organized vibrant on-ground activities in key international locations, such as London’s Piccadilly Circus and Dubai Mall’s iconic fountain, featuring Saudi flash mobs that showcased the country’s rich culture and highlighted the destinations set to host matches. Domestically, celebrations took place in five iconic locations: Salwa Palace, Historic Jeddah, Hegra, Rijal Almaa, and Ithra, inviting the public to join in and commemorate this historic milestone. STA also launched a short film welcoming and inviting the world to experience Saudi’s warmth and wonder, embodying the joy, pride, and excitement felt nationwide.

With a passionate football fan base and a growing cadre of world-class sporting events hosted in the country, Saudi is sharing its storied heritage and vibrant culture with the world. From the stunning landscapes of the Saudi Red Sea – with its 1,800 km of pristine coastline, sweeping desert dunes, and mountain canyons, to the historical wonders of AlUla, where heritage meets nature, the coastal cosmopolitan hub of Jeddah, where the modern and traditional blend beautifully, to the thrum and thrill of the capital of Riyadh, visitors can explore a land rich in culture, history, and breathtaking experiences in this year-round destination.

The STA is working closely with partners across the tourism ecosystem to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all visitors. This includes enhanced flight connectivity, streamlined visa processes, and a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. With a focus on sustainability and accessibility, Saudi is committed to delivering a tournament that celebrates the spirit of football and leaves a positive legacy for generations to come.     

Reaching Saudi has never been easier, with over 330 direct flights from India, offered by carriers like SAUDIA, FlyNas, Air India, Air India Express, Indigo, and Spicejet. Indigo recently launched the route of a daily service between Bengaluru and Jeddah w.e.f. September 30, 2024. Indians holding a valid tourist or business visa from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, or any Schengen country, with stamped proof of entry are eligible for the eVisa and visa upon arrival at Saudi international airports. Indian travelers can also apply for a Stopover visa, which is valid for up to 96 hours and can be obtained 90 days in advance on the Saudia Airline and Flynas website. There are 10 VFS Tasheer offices across Indian cities like Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and more to streamline travel for Indians.

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MUMBAI: Toei Animation has announced that the legendary anime series One Piece will be embarking on a hiatus following today’s release of Episode 1122. The series will return in April 2025 with fresh episodes from the Egghead arc. During the hiatus, fans can look forward to new content, including One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga, a special re-envisioned edition of the iconic arc streaming on Crunchyroll.

This special 21-episode cutdown will showcase the Fish-Man Island Arc with a fresh look and feel, bringing a contemporary visual style and new animation sequences, including opening and ending themes. The new opening theme, “We Go!” by Kitadani Hiroshi, will include a special guest collaboration to be announced soon, while the ending theme, “Sailing” (TV version) by BE: FIRST, adds an exciting new touch. Designed to capture the essence of this fan-favorite storyline in a concise format, One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga is set to captivate One Piece fans, worldwide, all over again!

Additionally, on October 20, a special 25th Anniversary Episode will premiere, honoring One Piece’s enduring legacy with a 30-minute ensemble depicting the reunion of the Straw Hat crew from the perspective of the non-pirate characters. Set in the Sabaody Archipelago after the Summit War, the story follows its protagonist, a young girl and admirer of Nami, as she sets off on a small adventure. Fans can look forward to the episode being available on Crunchyroll, too. 

One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga Official Synopsis:

The Straw Hats reunite at Sabaody! The promised day has arrived. The Straw Hats have made it back to the Sabaody Archipelago after two arduous years of separation. In the very same place where they once lost to Pacifista, the Straw Hats have proven themselves to be stronger and ready to begin their journey to the New World. With the Thousand Sunny now equipped to travel underwater, the next stop is the Fish-Man Island. “One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga” is a special edited version of the original arc from “One Piece”, in an abridged 21-episode story with an enhanced contemporary visual look. 

One Piece, based on the manga by Eiichiro Oda, follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates to find the ultimate treasure, The One Piece, and become the Pirate King. This long-running series continues to captivate fans around the world with its unique blend of action, humor, and heartfelt storytelling.

For more information and to get ready for the festivities, visit our official One Piece show page on Crunchyroll and the official English X (formerly known as Twitter) home for One Piece.

Crediting Photo assets: © Eiichiro Oda / Shueisha, Toei Animation

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MUMBAI: In a surprising turn of events, the talented actress Seerat Kapoor recently took to her social media platforms to make a groundbreaking announcement, leaving fans eager and intrigued. Known for her versatile acting skills, Seerat Kapoor has previously delivered memorable performances, and her involvement in this new project promises to be an engaging cinematic experience. The actress shared a stunning and sizzling picture of herself from the set of her upcoming project, announcing her next big venture officially. The post not only showcased Seerat’s glamorous side but also hinted at the intensity and suspense awaiting her fans in this new venture.

Sharing a stunning picture of herself in a tube top, messy curly looks, and minimal makeup with glossy lips, Seerat looked stunning as always but what grabbed our attention was the announcement that the actress shared with all her loved ones. Accompanying the captivating image, Seerat Kapoor wrote, “Spilling a few beans on my latest venture – A psychological thriller. Brace yourselves, we’re hopping onto an intense ride! #Collaboration #Thriller #ComingSoon”. This cryptic message from Seerat has left fans buzzing with excitement, eagerly anticipating the unraveling of this mysterious project.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2rhnqKsWbD/

According to a reliable source close to the film’s production team, Seerat will be seen as a lead character in the film alongside JD Chakravarthy and Agastya. Seerat Kapoor has been roped in as the lead character, and the entire narrative and mystery revolve around her enigmatic role.” The source also added, “She has a crucial part to perform and has a very distinct persona. Seerat will be starting the filming of her second schedule in the coming week. The movie is a full-fledged psychological thriller that will keep you riveted to your seat with its captivating storyline and several plot twists. Seerat’s persona will offer a great deal of drama and unexpected events.“

This revelation has sparked curiosity among fans about the nature of Seerat’s character and the twists that the plot may take. The yet-to-be-titled Telugu film also features Naresh Agastya and JD Chakravarthy in lead roles, adding to the anticipation surrounding the project. The trio’s collaboration hints at a potent mix of talent, promising an enthralling cinematic experience for the audience.

While further details about the film remain under wraps, the confirmation of Seerat Kapoor’s involvement and the intriguing snippet shared by the actress on social media have set the stage for a thrilling cinematic journey. Apart from that Seerat Kapoor will be seen in Bhamakalapam 2. The prequel, Bhamakalapam. Seerat Kapoor will also be seen playing a very pivotal role in Dil Raju’s Aakasam Dati Vasthava film. And also in Mahi V Raghav’s Save The Tigers 2 web series. She also has 2 music videos coming up which the official announcement will be done soon

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Through the partnership, Samsung aims to make the experience of getting sports updates quicker and easier for fans across India. Users can simply ask Bixby “What’s the score?”, “Show the World Cup points table”, or “Show me upcoming matches” to get an instant response with relevant information. These features are available to existing Bixby users who do not need to install or download anything additionally.

Cricket is more than just a sport in India, and with major cricket tournaments either ongoing at the moment or lined up shortly, Samsung believes that Bixby Cricket would be an interesting value addition to cricket lovers’ passion for the game. This would enable them to stay updated with the latest scores of the ongoing tournament by just asking Bixby.

Bixby has evolved from an intelligent voice assistant for users to an open, scalable AI platform that is available anywhere, anytime across Samsung devices, wearables, and digital appliances. The user experience was made more meaningful and contextual for Indian consumers by the introduction of Indian English as part of the Bixby 2.0 update in May 2021. This has supported Bixby users in India with several information pieces such as Indian names, places, relationships, content, and recipes amongst others. These feature upgrades are meant to provide the users with a more personalized experience along with quick updates.

Balaji Hariharan, Senior Director and Head of Product Management, at Samsung Research Institute, Bangalore, said, “Cricket is more than just a sport in India. With major cricket tournaments either in progress or lined up soon, Samsung believes that Bixby Cricket would be a great solution for cricket lovers to stay updated with the latest scores and tournaments just through their voices. Users can get updates even while driving, working, cooking, or doing any other activity that requires their attention. Another goal of Samsung India is to continuously nurture the Indian start-up ecosystem, and this launch helps in that as well.“

Ajay Pratap Singh, Chief Executive Officer, of Sportskeeda, said, “We are excited to join forces with Samsung Bixby to bring unparalleled sports coverage to Samsung users across India. This integration showcases our commitment to delivering accurate and prompt sports information to fans, right at their fingertips. Whether it is cricket matches from international arenas or local league showdowns, Bixby users can now revel in the excitement, through voice commands like never before.“

Samsung’s Bixby Cricket is a great addition for cricket fans in India, providing them with instant updates about the score, points table, and routine of upcoming matches in the Cricket World Cup and other tournaments. The feature is powered by Sportskeeda, a global sports content platform, and is available to existing Bixby users who do not need to install or download anything additionally.

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As part of the partnership, Mastercard cardholders will have the opportunity to purchase match tickets during an exclusive 24-hour pre-sale window. They will also be able to meet cricket legends, get up close to the Men’s Cricket World Cup trophy, and experience unique access on match days. Children of cardholders aged between 12-18 years will also have the chance to be a part of the flagbearer program, and there will be a wide range of offers for Mastercard cardholders on official ICC merchandise.

Mastercard’s tie-up with the ICC highlights the brand’s commitment to cricket and adds to the global technology company’s prestigious international sports sponsorship portfolio, which includes associations with the likes of the UEFA Champions League and the PGA Tour.

ICC Chief Executive, Geoff Allardice, said, “We are delighted to announce Mastercard as a global partner for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the pinnacle event of the one-day game. Mastercard brings its rich experience of sports partnerships to the table, and the ICC is looking forward to collaborating with a renowned global brand to bring many benefits to cricket lovers around the world.“

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Mastercard, Raja Rajamannar, said, “Cricket is a huge passion for millions of people across the globe, particularly in India and South Asia. We are excited to partner with the ICC for the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, allowing us to bring fans closer to their passion for the sport. We’re dedicated to connecting our customers, cardholders, and all cricket enthusiasts to priceless possibilities throughout the tournament.“

The ICC is the global governing body for cricket, representing 108 members. The ICC governs and administrates the game and is responsible for the staging of major international tournaments, including the ICC World Test Championship Final, ICC Men’s and Women’s Cricket World Cups, T20 World Cups, as well as all associated qualifying events. The ICC also appoints the umpires and referees that officiate at all sanctioned Test matches, One Day Internationals, and T20 Internationals. Through the Integrity Unit, it coordinates action against corruption and match-fixing.

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Its mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships, and passion, its innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments, and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, Mastercard is building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

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The  FIRST SLAM DUNK, tells the thrilling journey of Hanamichi Sakuragi, a troubled young boy devastated after the death of his elder sibling, who gets a second shot at life when his love for basketball is reignited. Will Hanamichi embrace this second chance? Will he get over the death of his elder brother? Will the underdogs of Shohoku High defeat the champion giants of Sannoh School? ‘The First Slam Dunk’ is a classic David versus Goliath fable that keeps audiences on the edge right till the end.

With stunning visuals, heartfelt emotions, and inspiring themes, it is tailor-made to be enjoyed by audiences on a big screen

Whether you’re an anime enthusiast or basketball enthusiast or simply a lover of world cinema; ‘The First Slam Dunk’ assures to be an enthralling cinematic experience that appeals to a wide range of viewers.

 Don’t miss the release of ‘The First Slam Dunk’ in cinemas from 7th July 2023.

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