Category: Life & Style

To conserve and maintain the Kashmir Valley’s iconic Chinar trees, authorities have begun an ambitious geo-tagging campaign. These trees, which are valued for their historical and cultural significance, have suffered as a result of urbanisation, illnesses, and construction projects. To address this loss, a “Digital Tree Aadhaar” system was implemented, which assigns a unique identity number to each Chinar tree in the valley.

So far, about 29,000 Chinar trees have been geotagged, with approximately 1,000 remaining. This comprehensive effort, which began in 2021, includes capturing essential information on each tree, including its height, girth, geographical location, and health state. Dr. Syed Tariq, Coordinator of Projects and In Charge of Bio Diversity in Kashmir, noted, “This project allows us to monitor the Chinar population and their situation. We may obtain detailed information about the tree, such as its location, altitude, and health, by scanning the QR code on metal tags.”

Chinar trees, some of which are over 500 years old, take over a century to reach maturity. Researchers examined approximately 25 features of each tree, noting whether they were diseased, dried, or healthy. This knowledge permits prompt responses to protect these magnificent trees.

Authorities are also encouraging the planting of fresh Chinar seedlings.

The UK government has announced plans to issue digital driving licences through a new Gov.UK app, which will be available this summer. This initiative seeks to modernise access to public services by enabling citizens to securely hold official documents in a digital “wallet.” The software will first enable veteran cards, followed by a pilot program for digital driver licenses later in 2025.

The digital wallet will use advanced smartphone security features like facial and fingerprint recognition to keep customers’ data secure. This technology, like Apple or Google Wallet, will allow customers to easily manage their documents. While digital licences will be optional, physical licences will be available for individuals who prefer conventional media.

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle hopes that the app will store a wide range of government-issued credentials, including DBS checks, by 2027. The wallet may also allow users to conceal personal information, such as addresses, in specific scenarios, such as retail or bar settings.

Kyle said: “Gov.UK Wallet offers secure access to benefits, simplifies identity verification, and provides enhanced trust.” The government emphasised that digital identities would not be required, avoiding controversial national ID card suggestions.

India intends to prioritise railway modernisation in the 2025/26 federal budget, increasing funding for railroads while only significantly increasing funds for road projects. This transition comes amid execution issues in the road transport industry, despite major post-pandemic investments. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Minister of Finance, is anticipated to announce the budget on February 1st.

The railways ministry’s budget could increase to ₹2.9 trillion to ₹3 trillion ($33.5 billion-$34.7 billion), from ₹2.55 trillion. This would enable the expansion of Indian Railways’ network and the installation of 400 high-speed Vande Bharat trains by 2027. Furthermore, the emphasis will be on increasing rail freight capacity.

To contrast, the Ministry of Road Transport anticipates a moderate increase of 3% to 4%, which will bring the total to ₹2.9 trillion ($34.7 billion). Despite a sixfold increase in spending over the last decade, execution has lagged due to land acquisition and project delays, with just 54% of the budget allocated by November 2024. The ministry aims to raise cash for a 50,000-kilometre high-speed road network by selling toll rights and monetising road assets, with an annual budget of 1 trillion.

The Global Power Metropolis Index (GPCI), published by Japan’s Mori Memorial Foundation, has ranked Dubai the world’s cleanest metropolis for the fifth year in a row. The index assesses cities’ potential to attract people, capital, and businesses, taking into account criteria such as economy, R&D, cultural engagement, liveability, environment, and accessibility.

Dubai outperformed 47 global cities, with respondents expressing complete satisfaction with its cleanliness. Over 3,200 cleaning engineers and supervisors worked tirelessly to achieve this feat, which was aided by 855 vehicles and equipment. Every day, they clean 2,400 kilometres of roads, 1,419 square kilometres of investment zones, and 33.4 km of waterways, keeping the city in exquisite condition.

Dubai Municipality has shown its dedication to maintaining cleanliness and sustainability through a variety of programs. In November, nearly 2.5 million flowers and plants were planted throughout the city to add to the greenery.

This honour comes as Dubai’s population has increased by 169,000 over the last year, reaching 3.8 million. A recent Time Out poll also put Dubai among the happiest, safest, and most modern cities, citing its high quality of life and eating options.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has presented the world’s first large-scale, 24/7 renewable energy project in Abu Dhabi, which combines a 5.2GW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant with a 19GWh battery energy storage system (BESS). This unique initiative generates 1GW of continuous baseload power every day, assuring a steady supply of clean energy around the clock and setting a global standard for renewable energy solutions.

Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Masdar Chairman, remarked that this initiative addresses the long-standing issue of renewable energy intermittency, transforming it into a reliable baseload energy source. He commended President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s innovative leadership for achieving this milestone.

The project is in line with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, promoting advances in new technologies and advancing global climate pledges set at COP28. Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar’s CEO, stated that the plan will generate 10,000 jobs, increase innovation, and drive economic growth.

This program improves grid reliability and stability by seamlessly integrating solar and battery storage, highlighting the UAE’s leadership in sustainable energy innovation. It underscores the country’s commitment to the renewable energy revolution and meeting global climate targets.

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, India’s largest mobility exhibition, which is slated to showcase over 100 debuts in autos, components, and technologies. The five-day festival (January 17-22) takes place at three locations: Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi in Delhi, and India Expo Centre in Greater Noida.

The launch was attended by Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, and Hardeep Singh Puri, as well as automobile industry heavyweights. The expo brings together the full mobility value chain, including manufacturers, component suppliers, energy storage companies, and recyclers.

The event’s theme, “Beyond Boundaries: Co-creating Future Automotive Value Chain,” emphasises sustainable innovation, with nine concurrent exhibits, 20+ seminars, and state sessions highlighting policies and cooperation. The exhibition, sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and industry bodies such as SIAM, ACMA, and IESA, is expected to attract over 5,100 global participants and 5 lakh visitors.

Maruti Suzuki (eVITARA), Hyundai (Creta EV), and Mercedes-Benz (EQS Maybach) have all launched electric vehicles. BMW will show off its electrified i7 and X3 cars. The components display at Yashobhoomi will feature 1,000 exhibitors from seven nations, including Japan, Germany, and South Korea, as well as over 60 product premieres.

Thailand is to start a new carbon credits market this year to address the sector’s weak demand and low prices. According to Pornanong Budsaratragoon, secretary-general of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the platform would be managed by the Stock Exchange of Thailand, with the goal of leveraging its trading knowledge and expanding the investor base.

“We need a more dynamic carbon credit market,” Ms Pornanong said, emphasising the platform’s importance in achieving success. This initiative complements Thaksin Shinawatra’s recent call for a special trading arena for carbon credits, which will help to revitalise Thailand’s stock market.

Oversupply has hampered domestic commerce, with only 3.5 million tonnes of credits acquired between 2016 and October 2023, compared to 20.5 million tonnes created, according to BloombergNEF. Thailand is capitalising on country-to-country carbon credit trading agreements and, along with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, has tremendous potential to meet expanding global demand.

The purpose of the new platform is to position Thailand as a significant player in the growing market for carbon credits by resolving the obstacles that are now being faced. This will allow Thailand to proceed with its economic and environmental goals.

The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) will host the third World Local Production Forum in the United Arab Emirates from April 7–9, 2025, with the theme “Advancing Local Production for Health Equality, Global Health Security, and Sustainable Development.” The occasion demonstrates the UAE’s dedication to promoting sustainability and innovation in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

In front of Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zayoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Chairman of the Board of Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), a Host Country Agreement was signed during a press conference. The deal, which was signed by WHO Assistant Director-General Dr. Yukiko Nakatani and EDE Director-General Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, enhances UAE-WHO cooperation on global health objectives.

More than 4,000 people, including ministers, public servants, business executives, and international specialists, will attend the event. Strategies to improve access to high-quality health products, knowledge transfer, and sustainable local production will be the main topics of discussion. The agenda seeks to provide practical suggestions for global health security, economic resilience, and egalitarian healthcare.

By organising this meeting, the UAE strengthens its position as a leader in global health innovation and fosters collaborations to tackle present and upcoming health issues.

The UAE has opened the “first” renewable energy facility in the world, offering large-scale, continuous clean power. “Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s clean energy company, will combine 5GW of solar power with 19GWh of battery storage to produce 1GW of continuous power,” said UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Dr. Sultan Al Jaber.

This $6 billion project will be operational by 2027 and cover 90 square kilometres in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company. It is a transformational program that makes renewable energy a dependable baseload supply, according to Dr. Al Jaber. Abdulaziz Alobaidli, COO of Masdar, described it as the company’s most ambitious project yet.

In order to meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C threshold, the project supports worldwide targets to double energy efficiency and quadruple renewable energy capacity by 2030. With renewable capacity needing to increase from 3.9 TW to 11.2 TW by 2030, there are still large gaps in worldwide targets despite record spending of $570 billion on renewables in 2023.

Under its Energy Strategy 2050, the UAE has doubled its renewable capacity in just two years and aims to invest $40–54 billion by 2030.

On Monday, the world’s biggest gathering of people will begin at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, in India, for the six-week Maha Kumbh Mela. Over 400 million visitors are anticipated to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, which devout Hindus believe cleanses sins and frees them from the cycle of life and death.

The event, based on Hindu mythology, commemorates the god Vishnu’s victory over demons in obtaining the nectar of immortality. Four droplets fall on Earth in Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. These cities host the Kumbh Mela in rotation, with the Maha Kumbh occurring once every 12 years, which is considered the most auspicious.

Authorities have turned 4,000 hectares of riverbanks into a temporary metropolis, housing pilgrims in 150,000 tents, 145,000 lavatories, 3,000 kitchens, and 99 parking lots. The event requires 450,000 electricity connections, which exceeds the power usage of 100,000 metropolitan apartments. Indian Railways has launched 98 special trains to handle the inflow.

Security precautions include 40,000 police officers, AI-powered monitoring, and emergency response units with road, river, and air ambulances. “Hosting this auspicious event is an honor for our state,” said CM Yogi Adityanath.