REYNOLDSVILLE — Jeff Tech’s Student of the Month for October is Maya Isaac.Isaac is a 12th-grade student in the building trades program. She is from the Brookville Area School District. At Jeff Tech, Isaac is involved with the Skills USA Quiz Bowl team, art club, dance committee, and is a member of the National Technical Honor Society.
Kenya and Turkana County stand to gain from a discovery of the origins and life of early human Homo erectus. The discovery comes at a crucial time for the government, as it seeks to raise the number of tourists visiting the country to 10 million annually by 2027.The discovery was announced by researchers in the Journal of Science on Thursday, November 28, indicating that two muddy footprints were left at the Turkana lakeside, suggesting two of our early human ancestors were neighbours some 1.5 million years ago.
According to researchers, the footprints were left in the mud by two different species “within a matter of hours, or at most days,” stated palaeontologist Louise Leakey, co-author of the research.
Scientists previously knew from fossil remains that these two extinct branches of the human evolutionary tree—called Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei—lived about the same time in the Turkana Basin.
The two muddy foot prints found in the Turkana Basin.
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Courtesy
While skeletal fossils have previously suggested these species may have coexisted, the timespans they can be dated to and the size of the deposits they are found in are too large to pin down interactions.
“This is the first direct snapshot of the two species together on the same immediate landscape,” asserted Dr Kevin Hatala, the first author of the research from Chatham University in the US.
But dating fossils is not exact. “It’s plus or minus a few thousand years,” said palaeontologist William Harcourt-Smith of Lehman College and the American Museum of Natural History in New York, who was not involved in the study.
Writing in the journal Science, Hatala and colleagues reported how, along with fossilised tracks from birds and other animals, they discovered a continual set of footprints in the deposits made by a single hominin individual.
The stride length of the trackway, they noted, suggested that the individual was walking at a modestly fast pace. However, the impressions differed from those observed in modern humans in terms of foot anatomy and the patterns of contact made by walking.
Instead, they said, the impressions appeared to fit with footprints expected from Paranthropus boisei, a species also known as Nutcracker Man in reference to its big teeth, which is not a human ancestor but sits on a side branch of our family tree.
“There are aspects of their big toe anatomy, in particular, that seem consistent with the patterns that we see in the footprints,” said Hatala.
The team also found three separate prints close by that were in different orientations to this trackway.
The discovery will offer a new attraction to the country, and its neighbouring Chalbi Desert will further promote the region as an attractive destination.
Already, the government has begun diversifying tourism offerings, emphasising areas such as eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and sports tourism. Initiatives include improving infrastructure, reducing visa fees, introducing visa-free policies for certain regions, and marketing campaigns to showcase the country’s unique attractions.
An aerial picture of the scientists near the location of the two muddy foot prints found in the Turkana Basin.
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Courtesy
DJ Caruso is a movie director whose latest film is Mary, about the Blessed Virgin Mary. The film chronicles Our Lady’s early life through the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt. The biblical epic will premiere on Netflix on Dec. 6. A native of Norwalk, Connecticut, Caruso, who is Catholic, went to college in California, where he then turned to filmmaking as a director, producer and writer. He is most known for thriller and action films.
Early in his career, he was hired by Steven Spielberg to direct the thrillers Disturbia (2007) and Eagle Eye (2008).
Spielberg is not the only well-known person to take notice. So has Pope Francis. As Caruso said, “We got invited to the Vatican because he wants to meet the filmmaker behind the Mary movie. So I’m very excited that I’m going to spend time with the Pope.” In November, before heading off to Rome in December, Caruso spoke with the Register about Mary.
Why did you decide to make this particular movie about our Blessed Mother?
I was really, really determined to tell the story. I felt like her story is underappreciated. We all have been conditioned to understand the Nativity story, and I was really moved by the idea of telling a story from her perspective: what it was like to be her, and going through all this from a child, and to the birth [of Christ], and everything. But just really to say, here’s this young woman who faced adversity, had some doubts, had some fears, but ultimately accepts this beautiful fiat, that acceptance from God, and takes them into her heart.
I wanted to inspire, particularly younger viewers, to say, “Wow, Mary could be my friend. A lot of what she went through is contemporary and what’s happening in the world today. I know she’s this iconic, beautiful, holy mother who we all venerate, but at the same time, she was also a young woman like I was; she had to make these decisions, and she had to go through these things.” I wanted to make her human and relatable so that people would embrace her and even love her more than they do.
It sounds like you’re devoted to Mary. Tell us about your Catholic faith.
I am devoted to Mary. I’m Catholic. I was raised Catholic in Norwalk, Connecticut, stayed Catholic my whole life and stayed with the Church. We’re a family of five. We are a very strong Catholic family. Everyone’s gone to Catholic schools. We love it. And obviously, particularly being Catholic and praying to Mary, and understanding her as an intercessor, it’s vital to who we are as a family and to our faith. So, for me, [that’s why I wanted] to make a movie to celebrate her.
How did you come to choose the way you present Mary?
I’ve always admired what Mel [Gibson] did with The Passion [of the Christ] because, obviously, it humanized Christ and the pain that he suffered and everything he went through. Well, the real origin of this story starts with Mary, doesn’t it? So how can I tell a story that’s compelling and makes her human and accessible?
She’s so vital, and she’s so important in life. A good friend of mine, Bishop David O’Connell, from Los Angeles, who passed away two years in February, was really instrumental in bringing Mary into our lives and was always saying, “She’s there for you. You just need to talk to her. She’s your connection to Christ. And if you go through her, all good things will happen.”
That, over the course of the past five years, has been instilled in me. And so I wanted to make a movie to celebrate what a remarkable young woman she was.
The only big name in the cast is Sir Anthony Hopkins. Why did you choose mostly relative unknowns, like the actress and actor who play Joseph and Mary, for your cast?
If you went with star power to play Mary or to play Joseph, I really do think it would be a mistake.
I think Noa [Cohen] and Ido [Tako] are such a revelation that it makes them endearing. It was great to bring two fresh faces that are actually from the region where Mary and Joseph were born and putting them in roles and presenting them to the world. It’s a fresher take, and the audience will be more accepting of them in the movie than if it was a movie star.
Why did you use input from clergy and theologians across the board — Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim?
I think it was important because I’m going to come from our strong Catholic perspective, and I’m always going to try to do that. I guess it’s always going to be controversial, but I wanted Mary to be accessible to everybody who loves her, everyone who can accept her and [venerate] her. Obviously, we [venerate] her in a way that others might not.
But I didn’t want to close the door on just one specific thing, because this is a movie to celebrate Mary, this young, powerful girl, and to make her human. I wanted to stick to the Scriptures as the foundation of what we needed to do, and then go look at the Protoevangelium of James, then Josephus the historian, who had a lot on Herod. So we created the narrative using these scholars and making sure it’s not a documentary, obviously. But we wanted to make sure we were paying homage and doing things correctly. That was very important to get it right. We wanted Mary for everyone … accessible to all believers and nonbelievers as well.
Many people envision St. Joseph as so much older than Mary. But you get the age much closer to hers.
I’m so glad you’re saying that because I also feel, even for the younger audiences, they’re seeing that Mary and Joseph are young adults, and it’s exciting to them because it’s not an old man pulling Mary around on a donkey, protecting like a father figure, in a way. It’s two young people that are in this together. That was definitely my intent because I think it can open up her story.
Also, my dear friend Bishop David O’Connell, who was helping me, told me specifically, “DJ, please give Joseph a voice. He doesn’t have a voice in any of the Scriptures, and he’s such a pivotal figure. He is the unsung hero of the Gospel, and he doesn’t get any love because he doesn’t say anything. But please give him a voice. Think about what he had to go through and what he had to stand up against, and how he had to fight the mob, and how he had to understand and do the right thing. Think about how brave he was to stand up to this mob and to say, ‘Don’t stone this woman.’ He’s going to go against the grain, which is so hard for these kids to do today.”
The bishop was saying he’d be such a great role model for all of these young men to say, “Look, this is what I’m going to do. I’m going to stand up for what’s right and what I believe in. I’m not going to be forced by the mobs to do something that they think I’m supposed to do.”
That was probably his most important message to me: “Please give Joseph a voice and make him the hero that he is.” So that was one of the goals I set out for.
You could probably see his influence in creating for Joseph a three-dimensional character that people could understand and love. I think it’s the first time in a film that you can see the Mary-Joseph relationship flourish; you can see them growing closer together, based on what their mission was and what they had to do.
How do you stay close to Mary?
I pray the Rosary. My wife prays the Rosary. Some of our kids [pray] the Rosary. When Bishop David O’Connell passed away, his family gifted me his dog he would take on a walk every morning, and he would only finish the walk when he finished the Rosary. Every morning when I take Quito out, I don’t always have the time to do the Rosary, but I [pray] two Hail Marys and two Our Fathers. Hail Marys are a huge part of my day.
What are you most pleased with — what stands out most for you — about the movie Mary?
I think I’m most pleased with the idea — just from the feedback that I’m getting — that, yes, Mary was blessed. Yes, Mary was chosen. But she has to accept that. In the fear, she has to say, “Okay, I’m in.” She lets God into her heart. I think people seeing the film are realizing that she’s making a choice. She’s making a choice that we all need to make. Making this choice doesn’t mean her life is going to be any easier. But in order to do amazing, great things, you have to make that choice.
When I shot that [Annunciation] scene and Gabriel came to her and then she basically said, “Let it be done to me. Let it be me,” I teared up and realized that that was the reason. … I realized at that moment that was why I was making the movie, because that revelation was like, she made that choice, and it’s a choice we all need to make, and if we can get that message out … and everyone’s looking at the film [pre-screenings] and saying, “This is really cool. I didn’t think a biblical epic would look this way or be this cool.” And if the younger audiences can now get closer and feel closer to Mary, then the movie is a success, to me.
What are your ultimate hopes for the movie? What would you like to see it do?
My hopes are that people watch the movie and they feel much closer to Mary. I think there’s this relationship that is very vital and very important. I love for people to relate to Mary, the Holy Mother, more — and to see her as a friend, to see her as a contemporary in a way that she had to struggle and go through the things that a lot of people in this world do — but to see her as the hero that she really is and to have a deeper appreciation for the beauty, the love and the light that is Mary. That was my one goal.
Holiday goers visiting Spain will reportedly face added scrutiny as new legalisation demands hotels to gather personal data on tourists. The Spanish government has introduced the new system on security grounds, which will come into force on December 2, according to local publications. The new rule will require hotels, travel agencies, and car rentals to…
Searchlight PicturesFrom a steamy age-gap thriller starring Nicole Kidman to a Bob Dylan biopic featuring Timothée Chalamet, these are the films to stream and watch at the cinema this month.
India PR DistributionNoida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], November 29: JustWravel, India’s most trusted and safest social travel community, is proud to announce that it has been recognized as the Best Adventure Tour Operator at the 3rd edition of the Economic Times Travel and Tourism Awards.Also Read | Manipur: Schools, Colleges Reopen in 6 Districts After 2-Week Closure Amid Ongoing Violence.According to the Economic Times, this award is given to companies that excel in delivering thrilling and memorable adventure experiences while prioritizing customer safety and enjoyment. This recognition is aimed at operators specializing in both inbound and outbound tourism.”JustWravel is truly honored to receive this award from the Economic Times, which reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team, from vendors to trip leaders, and our core team,” said Rohan Verma, Founder and CEO of JustWravel. “We are doubly happy as JustWravel has just turned 8! For such a young travel community, recognitions like this motivate us to continue pushing the boundaries of adventure travel and creating a safe and trustworthy platform for travelers to come together.”Also Read | RRB RPF SI Admit Card 2024: Hall Ticket for Sub-Inspector December 2 Examination Released at rrbapply.gov.in, Know Steps To Download.Launched in 2016, JustWravel has emerged as a key player in the social travel industry, connecting adventurous individuals from around the world and empowering them to discover new destinations, cultures, and experiences. With a focus on sustainable and responsible tourism, the platform offers a wide range of curated adventure tours, including trekking in the Himalayas, backpacking trips, weekend getaways, corporate tours, and international tours.”For a company this young to be recognized as the best adventure tour operator in the country is an achievement we’ve earned through our commitment to service. Our unique initiatives, such as travel insurance, free riding jackets, the sustainable initiative Keep the Trails Alive, community engagement programs, All Girls Trips, and recognition from the Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal governments, have helped us stand out in the industry,” added Nishant Sharma, Marketing Head. “This is a result of the passion and expertise of our team, as well as the trust and loyalty of our growing community of travelers.”In addition to the Best Adventure Tour Operator award from the Economic Times, JustWravel has also won two MSME Business Awards for Best Startup of the Year and Enterprise of the Year in Travel & Tourism, along with the Travelers’ Choice Award from TripAdvisor this year. Over the past eight years, JustWravel has grown from a small startup to a leading social travel community, with a presence in multiple countries and a network of 70,000 adventure enthusiasts.”As we look to the future, we are excited to continue expanding our reach and offering even more unique and transformative travel experiences to our community. We dedicate this award to our Wravelers (the travel community of JustWravel) for supporting us wholeheartedly. We promise to continue delivering the exceptional services we are known for,” said Shanif Baig, Operations Head.About JustWravelJustWravel is a social travel community with over 8 years of expertise, trusted by over 70,000 satisfied customers. They focus on memorable experiences and sustainable tourism, offering services like weekend getaways, backpacking, treks, corporate tours, customized trips, and international travel. Recognized as a trailblazer in the industry, JustWravel has received accolades such as the Traveler’s Choice Award from TripAdvisor and certifications from the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), MSME, and Startup India. Their commitment to sustainability, community empowerment, and unique travel opportunities especially for solo female travelers, distinguishes them in the market.(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Biwi No 1 Movie Review: Since Bollywood is currently big on re-releases – some even cashing in at the box office – we figured, why not revisit these films when they come out in theatres again? Not just to judge how good or bad they were, but to see how well they’ve aged. While these movies may hold a warm nostalgic value for many of you, some have soured like milk that’s been kept out for two decades, while others have aged like fine wine. With that in mind, let’s talk about Biwi No 1, David Dhawan’s star-packed 1999 comedy that’s back in theatres. Honestly, though, did anyone ask for this? ‘Biwi No 1’ Re-Release Date: Salman Khan and Karisma Kapoor’s Iconic Film Returns to Theatres on November 29.
Here’s where it gets awkward. I didn’t like Biwi No 1 back in 1999, and I knew I wasn’t going to love it now. It’s not that I had some elevated cinematic taste when I was going through my awkward teenage phase then – my guilty pleasure back then was Taqdeerwala. But even as an ignorant adolescent, I couldn’t stomach the movie’s blatant misogyny, and worse, I didn’t find it funny. Give me ‘Yam Hai Hum’ and ‘Him Cream’ any day over this! Okay, the songs slapped, I’ll give it that.
Watch the Trailer of ‘Biwi No 1’:
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Biwi No 1 hit theatres on May 28, 1999 and became the second highest-grossing Bollywood film of the year, behind Hum Saath-Saath Hain, also starring Salman Khan, Karishma Kapoor, Tabu and Saif Ali Khan. Dhawan’s film is a remake of Balu Mahendra’s 1995 Tamil hit Sathi Leelavati, which starred Kamal Haasan, Ramesh Aravind, and Kovai Sarala. Sathi Leelavati itself borrowed its plot from the 1989 Hollywood comedy She-Devil, featuring Meryl Streep.
The story?
Oh, you know this one. Prem (Salman Khan), a business tycoon, is living his best life with his devoted wife Pooja (Karisma Kapoor, looking a million bucks), two kids, and his mother (Himani Shivpuri). Naturally, this makes him the perfect candidate to stray. Enter Rupali (Sushmita Sen, also looking a million bucks), a model who joins his company. Prem promptly falls for her and spins a web of lies to keep her around, even after she learns about his marriage.
A Still From Biwi No 1
When Pooja discovers the affair, Prem doubles down by leaving her and the kids for Rupali. Enter Lakhan (Anil Kapoor), Prem’s best friend and enabler-in-chief, and Lakhan’s boisterous wife Lovely (Tabu, goddamn looking a million bucks). Together, they help Pooja hatch a scheme to win her philandering husband back.
‘Biwi No 1’ Movie Review – A Time Capsule to Cheesiness of ’90s Bollywood
Biwi No 1 was certainly a relic of the ‘90s Bollywood. There are song sequences shot in Switzerland where the actors dance like no one’s watching, yet there is a bunch of white folks looking awkwardly at them. Fake beards continue to fool characters even when they have known the person for years, and women are being hailed for forgiving cheating husbands because they did the ghar wraps. Dhawan, in particular, seemed fixated on infidelity comedies during this era. Sirji, do you have anything to confess here? Also yes, it was also a time when Vashu Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment used to deliver hits. Too low a blow? Sorry!
A Still From Biwi No 1
Biwi No 1 doesn’t give you anyone to root for. Prem is a grade-A sleaze and, occasionally, a domestic abuser (which the film brushes off, because why not?). Rupali is written as a shallow gold-digger who seems to think rich husbands fall from the sky. Worse, she’s made to look gullible so Prem’s manipulations can keep the plot moving.
And then there’s Pooja. Yes, she’s been wronged, but her ultimate goal is to get her awful husband back, even after he clearly chooses Rupali over her. How does she do this? By painting Rupali as “evil” while glossing over the fact that Prem is the actual villain. The movie even celebrates Rupali’s humiliation—applauding when she’s slapped and treating it as a joke when Prem nearly kicks her. Jackky Bhagnani Celebrates 25 Years of ‘Biwi No.1’ with This Adorable Clip Featuring Wife Rakul Preet Singh.
A Still From Biwi No 1
Even the supporting characters have questionable motives. Lakhan, the self-proclaimed moral compass, is just as shady – helping Prem cover up his infidelity before switching sides when the jig is up. Lovely is a rare exception: brash, unapologetic, and way too fun to have so little screentime. Casting Tabu and then sidelining her? That’s Bollywood blasphemy.
‘Biwi No 1’ Movie Review – A Comedy That Fails to Amuse
And can we talk about missed opportunities? Dhawan chose not to recreate the hilarious “Marugo Marugo” sequence from Sathi Leelavati, picturised on Kamal Haasan and Kovai Sarala, and instead gave us the forgettable “Mehboob Mere” in a random foreign location. In hindsight, maybe it’s for the best – he’d probably have ruined it anyway.
If anything, Biwi No 1 has aged worse than I expected. The narrative flow is choppy, with scenes clumsily stitched together as if to distract viewers with star power and peppy songs. But the distractions don’t work. Case in point: the bizarre “Hai Mirchi” sequence, where Lakhan dresses as Daler Mehndi and Pooja turns into a wannabe pop diva to make Prem jealous. I’ve spent 25 years trying to figure out what David Dhawan was going for there—and I still don’t know.
And that clown in the title track? Haunting. Who thought it was a good idea to have a random man dressed as a clown dancing in someone’s home? It was not cute back in 1999, and it’s even creepier now.
A Still From Biwi No 1
The women – Karisma Kapoor and Sushmita Sen – do the heavy lifting here. Despite being saddled with terrible writing, they inject some life into their characters. Salman Khan, who was going through his best looking phase then (how many gyms owned their business to him then!), was also stuck in his ‘cartoon voice’ acting phase. I once thought Anil Kapoor was the best of the lot when I watched the movie in 1999. I hadn’t watched Sathi Leelavati then. Now that’s done, the actor pales in comparison to what Kamal Haasan had so brilliantly brought to the table in Sathi Leelavati. Oh, and there’s Saif Ali Khan in a thankless cameo – a reminder of just how close he was to fading into a ‘Rajat Bedi’ before Dil Chahta Hai saved him.
‘Biwi No 1’ Movie Review – Final Thoughts
Anu Malik’s soundtrack still slaps (no pun intended), but Biwi No 1? Not so much. It’s a relic best left in the ’90s. Rewatch it only if you’re in the mood for a nostalgia trip that doubles as a reminder of how far Bollywood still has to go because our movies still want the wives to forgive their a-hole husbands. Looking at you, Animal!
PS: We do not want to disrespect your sense of nostalgia, so the movie ratings given for these re-releases are mostly for how well they have aged in time. This one didn’t. Rating:2.0 (The opinions expressed in the above article are of the author and do not reflect the stand or position of LatestLY.)(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 29, 2024 04:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
LOCAL author and Foundation Phase teacher Nokuphiwa Nala has launched her third children’s book, Tommy the Yellow Tippy Truck. Nala’s passion for writing children’s books stems from her desire to inspire young readers and promote self-acceptance and awareness.
Also read: Hillcrest man (94) publishes a good ‘dam’ book
Illustrated by Bernice Kassier, the book tells the story of Tommy, a yellow tippy truck, who learns to love himself and discover his value.
“I’ve always dreamed of writing a book,” Nala said. “My messages are inspired by the challenges children face, like bullying, which can make them self-conscious. As someone who was bullied, I want to educate children through stories they can easily understand.”
Nala hopes her book will encourage children to develop a love for reading from an early age. “As a teacher, I’ve seen how children struggle to read. Combining Bernice’s graphic design skills with my writing was an honour and a vital task,” she said.
Also read: Radiographer writes mystery book
Nala expressed gratitude to the Hillcrest Library and other parties that facilitated the book’s publication. Tommy the Yellow Tippy Truck will be available in schools and local libraries.
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Athens author Muriel Ellis Pritchett once had little knowledge about the possibility of alien beings visiting earth from the dark infinity of the unknown. But that has changed.Now she knows a lot.Pritchett, who has authored six other novels, has written the young readers book “Aliens Spurlock.” This tale of young aliens who survived the crash of a spaceship on earth, where they adopt lives as earthlings, was released in October by Black Rose Writing.Pritchett’s book is one of several released in 2024 by authors in Athens or with Athens’ connections.Click here to sign up for our newsletter.Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.“I wrote it for my grandson. He’s into aliens, spaceships and space monsters. But he likes graphic novels,” said Pritchett, retired from work as a public relations specialist for the University of Georgia and as a former journalist in Athens.With the publication of “Aliens Spurlock,” Pritchett expressed the hope of diverting her grandson into reading the traditional novel.“I got so much into the research of UFOs and what happened in Roswell, New Mexico, and Klecksburg, Pennsylvania, that my writer’s group asked me, ‘Do you believe this stuff?’” I said, ‘Well you never know,’” she said, mentioning the two places where UFO crashes were reputed to have happened.While the book was written for middle-age young readers, Pritchett said some of her reviewers have said adults would also enjoy the story because of the adult characters who try to save the alien children.The Authors in School Program in Nassau County, Florida, announced in November it will provide copies of Pritchett’s book to students at two schools. She has also been invited to the schools to speak with the students about her books in 2025.Pritchett, a member of a local writers group that includes other published authors, has received numerous writing awards as her gallery of books keep increasing.Athens novelist and UGA English Professor Emeritus John A. Vance died in September. But he saw his latest mystery novel, “Take Down”, published earlier this year. Vance, who moved to Athens in 1977 and retired as a professor emeritus in 2010, wrote about 20 novels ranging in subject matter from horror to human drama.In addition, he wrote at least 40 plays, the majority of which were staged before an audience, according to his biography.Vance died of a form of leukemia at age 77.“Take Down” is a murder mystery wrapped in political intrigue. The book is about women involved in professional wrestling, who are targeted for death, according to the book jacket. Much of the story emerges from a U.S. Congressman’s staff member, who becomes embroiled in the mystery of who is killing the women.Thanksgiving recipes:A feast of flavors for your holiday gatheringBarrow County novelist and comic book writer Bobby Nash released this fall “Dante’s Reckoning,” the third in a series of western/horror books. The story of imminent doom takes place in a Dante, Arizona, which Nash described as “a tiny little piece of Hell on Earth.”Nash, a prolific writer of action novels, comic books, graphic novels, and other outlets, also works as an actor and podcaster. In his genre, he has won awards and according to his media offerings, he unleashes his tales somewhere in a “secret lair” in Bethlehem.
Six months after resuming daily flights to Phnom Penh, Emirates has firmly established itself as a key player in Cambodia’s tourism and economic development.
The United Arab Emirates-based airline’s return marks a major step forward for the aviation industry in Cambodia, aligning closely with the country’s tourism ambitions and the recent Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Cambodia.
Emirates, which operates a network spanning 148 destinations in 80 countries, has used its presence in Cambodia to not only expand its operations but also promote the Kingdom as an emerging travel destination.
In a recent roundtable discussion with Cambodian media, Mohammed Al Qassim, Emirates’ country manager for Cambodia, spoke optimistically about the airline’s role in connecting Cambodia with the rest of the world, and its deepening collaboration with local tourism authorities.
Since the airline resumed daily flights between Phnom Penh and Dubai via Singapore in May, passenger demand has seen steady growth.
This surge in interest is reflective of broader trends in global travel, as Cambodia increasingly garners attention from international tourists.
“We have noticed that Phnom Penh is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for passengers across our global network,” said Al Qassim.
Al Qassim said the airline has showcased the nation’s rich cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes through a global advertising campaign. Hong Raksmey
“Passenger demand for our Singapore-bound leg is also growing steadily, which bodes well for the city’s future as a key travel hub,” he added.
This optimistic outlook comes on the heels of a concerted effort by Emirates to promote Cambodia’s tourism assets.
Through strategic marketing campaigns, the airline has showcased the nation’s rich cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes.
Notably, two promotional videos featuring Emirates’ cabin crew exploring the temples of Angkor Wat and Phnom Penh’s Independence Monument were shared globally, helping boost Cambodia’s profile among international travellers.
“Since the first week of May, we’ve made a concerted effort to promote Cambodia through our media channels, featuring destinations like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap,” Al Qassim said.
“Our cabin crew, who were seen visiting Angkor Wat in our videos, played a crucial role in putting Cambodia on the global map,” he explained.
Beyond traditional advertising, Emirates has worked closely with the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism and the Cambodian Tourism Board (CTB) to further develop the Kingdom’s tourism infrastructure.
This collaboration aims to bring more international arrivals to the country and support its tourism goals, as outlined in the tourism ministry’s “BUILD Plus 3Ds strategy”, which focuses on enhancing the country’s global competitiveness.
Al Qassim explained that Emirates has worked closely with the tourism ministry and the Cambodian Tourism Board (CTB) to further develop Cambodia’s tourism infrastructure. Hong Raksmey
Al Qassim expressed his optimism about these partnerships.
“We have great hopes for the CTB’s continued role in promoting the country as a top destination. Our collaboration with them is ongoing, and we are excited to see the upcoming developments,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Emirates plans to expand its role by enhancing its operations in the Kingdom, including expanding its retail presence.
In 2025, Emirates is set to open a new travel shop in central Phnom Penh, aimed at making it even easier for Cambodian passengers to access the airline’s services and book flights to destinations across the globe.
Its operations are not limited to Phnom Penh. The airline is also eyeing Siem Reap as a potential addition to its growing network.
“We are closely monitoring and evaluating the possibilities of flying to Siem Reap,” Al Qassim confirmed.
“There is great potential there, especially given the growth of tourism in the region and the proximity to Angkor Wat. We are optimistic about this opportunity and are waiting for the right time to introduce direct services,” he explained.
Moreover, the airline is equally excited about the upcoming transition to Phnom Penh’s new Techo International Airport.
“We are very positive about moving to Techo International Airport,” said Al Qassim. “It’s a new airport, with modern facilities, and we are ready to support the Cambodian government’s vision to expand international connectivity.”
In November, Emirates reported a significant spike in demand during the Cambodian Water Festival, with flights operating at full capacity from Phnom Penh.
The airline has seen robust growth in both passenger numbers and cargo.
Over the past six months, Emirates has carried an estimated 19,000 passengers and transported more than 3,000,000 kilogrammes of cargo.
Emirates highlighted its top five destinations from Cambodia as Dubai, Singapore, France, Switzerland and the UK.
These routes have seen the strongest demand over the past six months, underscoring the airline’s role in facilitating both business and leisure travel between Cambodia and key international markets.
“Meanwhile, flights arriving in Cambodia are predominantly coming from France, Singapore, the UK, Italy, and the UAE, reflecting a balanced flow of travellers between Cambodia and major global hubs,” said Al Qassim.
The UAE-Cambodia CEPA: A new era for trade and investment
One of the major developments in the broader economic landscape is the UAE-Cambodia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which came into effect in January of this year.
The agreement aims to strengthen bilateral trade by eliminating tariffs, reducing non-tariff barriers and fostering collaboration across industries.
For Emirates, CEPA offers a significant opportunity to support the growing demand for cargo and business travel between the two nations.
As Al Qassim pointed out, “CEPA has given the airline sector a much-needed boost, enhancing connectivity for businesses and passengers between Cambodia and the UAE.”
According to reports, he said, trade and cargo between Cambodia and the UAE saw a 7 per cent increase this year alone, a trend that is expected to continue as the countries leverage the new partnership.
“CEPA is not just about passenger travel; it’s also about enhancing cargo and trade flows,” Al Qassim added.
“With this agreement, we are seeing positive growth in cargo handling and facilitating the movement of businesspeople and investors between Cambodia and the UAE. This is a win-win for both economies.”