Category: Life & Style

Japan is all set for a significant surge in clean power generation in 2024. According to data from energy think tank Ember, clean electricity output during January and February reached 52.67 terawatt hours (TWh), the highest in at least five years. This marks a notable 12.4% increase from the same period in 2023.

Japan’s power firms reduced fossil fuel-based generation by 6%, the lowest since 2019. As a result, clean power sources accounted for 31.6% of Japan’s electricity in the first two months of 2024, up from 28% in 2023.

During this period, solar power emerged as Japan’s primary clean energy source, generating over 14 TWh, followed by nuclear reactors, hydro dams, and bioenergy plants. All clean energy sources witnessed growth, with nuclear, hydro, and bioenergy registering double-digit increases. Conversely, coal and gas-fired generation saw declines of 2.3% and 5.5%, respectively.

With peak solar and hydro output periods approaching, utilities are expected to further boost clean power generation, possibly reaching levels not seen since Japan curtailed nuclear output after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Additionally, Japan’s solar electricity generation historically surges by approximately 70% during the summer months of May through August.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz received British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with military honours, symbolising the enduring partnership between the two countries. Their discussions on Euro-Atlantic security, especially against Russian threats, reconfirmed the NATO partnership and commitment to strengthen the European contribution to deterrence.

The two leaders agreed to joint defence procurement, including the remote-controlled Howitzer 155mm wheeled artillery system and Eurofighter/Typhoon aircraft. They agreed to work together on projects in the field of air defence and coordinate deployments in the Indo-Pacific.

In condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Germany, and the UK pledged to assist Ukraine but tried to avoid provoking Russia.

On energy transition and decarbonisation, the partnership goes beyond defence. In this respect, Germany and the UK made commitments to renewable projects in the North Sea. They also made commitments for the examination of the possibility of hydrogen exports from the UK to Germany.

The establishment of a task force aims to enhance bilateral security and defence cooperation, building upon existing collaborations across military, industrial, cyber, and defence policies.

Germany and the UK’s joint efforts to divest Europe from Russian hydrocarbons demonstrate their shared commitment to a sustainable and secure future.

Long-term Schengen visas are now available to Indians, strengthening the value of their passports and enabling smooth travel between 29 European nations. Indians can now access these nations multiple times in two years, extendable by five, without the prior three-month limit. India is now ranked 85th in the world for passport strength.

This new policy, which offers a two-year multi-entry visa, helps regular travellers and those who have been to Europe twice in the last three years. However, working locally isn’t permitted.

After COVID, the Scandinavian areas had a 140% surge, showing a rise in demand for travel. The visa changeover entails a two-year visa that may be extended for an additional five years, provided that the passport remains valid. Schengen permits allowed brief visits but not employment.

Herve Delphin, the ambassador of the European Union to India, confirms the change and its effects on holders of visas. Furthermore, France has expanded its visa policies, providing Indian students pursuing master’s degrees with a five-year post-study visa—a considerable improvement over the prior two-year work permits.

These events highlight the strengthening connections between Europe and India in terms of education and employment opportunities.

The ancient Harappan civilisation, trading and production-oriented, flourished around 5000 years ago. While trade is well documented, the practices of manufacturing are not.

Excavations also indicate a sophisticated system of production, especially the production of high tin bronze, bead-making, pottery, weaving, and textiles like cotton. Beyond the major cities, such as Harappa and Mohenjodaro, the rural settlements themselves contained workshops and craft centres.

One such site, Binjor (4 MSR) near the India-Pakistan border, sheds new light on the Harappan industry. Binjor’s excavation unearthed seven phases spanning the Early to Late Mature Harappan periods. Structures made of mud bricks contained workshops, courtyards, and a massive enclosure wall. Artefacts such as pottery, seals, beads, figurines, and copper objects were discovered. Notably, over 250 hearths found across phases indicate industrial activity, particularly during the mature Harappan period.

Excavations discovered hearths for smelting, secondary melting, and forging of artifacts. A water tank, stone anvils, tools, terracotta crucibles, and finished products were found, revealing a well-equipped industrial setup. Further analyses of the sediment samples showed intensive industrial activity with a high copper content.

It challenges the narratives of the past, showing ancient Indian manufacturing sophistication and its integral role in the Harappan civilisation’s economy and trade network.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council lauded the visionary leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. He praised Dubai’s readiness to effectively tackle any challenge and highlighted Dubai’s robust crisis response mechanisms, strengthened by government and community support.

Sheikh Hamdan led a meeting with government leaders to approve immediate measures to lessen the effects of severe weather and evaluate efforts to alleviate the repercussions. Under his direction and with oversight from Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s ground teams and volunteers vigorously tackled issues.

To prioritise home repairs and facilitate collaboration between the Dubai Land Department, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, and property developers for community rehabilitation, Sheikh Hamdan established a committee to assess requests from Emirati individuals.

Affected people were required to get free services such as food distribution, pest management, property assistance, alternate accommodation, and security. Sheikh Hamdan promised ongoing assistance, personally overseeing the response’s development and leading a support group under the direction of Omar Bushahab.

Sheikh Hamdan praised cooperative efforts with the business sector and emphasised the need to provide impacted residents with immediate accommodations.

The United States and Italy have recently announced a collaborative effort to combat the proliferation of misinformation and fake news, particularly originating from foreign governments. This agreement was reached between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during a meeting held alongside a gathering of Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers on the Capri island.

This collaboration comes in the wake of a U.S. intelligence assessment released last year, which implicated Moscow in utilising various tactics, including spies, social media, and state-run media, to undermine public confidence in democratic election processes.

Belgium has also disclosed ongoing investigations into alleged Russian attempts to influence the upcoming European Parliamentary elections. Despite consistent denials from Russia regarding any involvement in foreign election interference, US-Russia relations continue to be under scrutiny.

The newly formed Italy-U.S. pact outlines strategies to counter foreign information manipulation and emphasises the importance of transparency in media financing and ownership.

In addition to these measures, both nations have committed to investing in advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools aimed at identifying and combating the dissemination of fake news. They also plan to establish a shared database to track instances of manipulation activities detected through these tools.

France is getting ready to commemorate World War II soldiers on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a historic day that saw the Nazis defeated. Omaha Beach will honour the almost 150,000 soldiers from several countries who landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944.

Along with the Paris Olympics, French President Emmanuel Macron sees this occasion as “France’s rendezvous with the world.” The emphasis is on showing appreciation to elderly veterans, some of whom travel great distances to attend. The leader of the Liberation Mission, Philippe Étienne, stresses the significance of expressing gratitude to these brave people who freed France.

The theme of protecting liberty in the face of contemporary crises speaks to all citizens, not just troops. Due to war criminal indictments, it is unlikely that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be present; however, it is considering extending an invitation to Russia. The celebrations will honour the sacrifices of all those who helped liberate Europe.

There will be other celebrations to commemorate the Allied landing in Provence, the liberation of Paris and Strasbourg, and the Nazi German surrender. These rituals also pay tribute to civilian war victims, colonial empire soldiers, and resistance fighters.

Claudia Sheinbaum, the leading contender for Mexico’s forthcoming presidential election in June, has unveiled an ambitious plan to invest $13.57 billion in new energy generation projects up to 2030. This proposal signifies a marked departure from the current administration’s emphasis on strengthening the state oil company, Pemex, over renewable energy sources.

Sheinbaum’s programme is geared towards ramping up wind and solar power generation while modernising five hydroelectric plants. During a meeting with Mexican business leaders on Monday, she stressed the imperative of accelerating the adoption of renewable energies, aiming to integrate an additional 13.66 gigawatts into the energy grid.

Moreover, Sheinbaum has expressed a commitment to aligning with international climate change agreements, extending the scope of her energy plan to 2050. If elected, she would make history as Mexico’s first female president, serving until 2030.

Despite her close affiliation with current President Lopez Obrador, Sheinbaum enjoys a comfortable lead of more than 20 percentage points over her nearest rival, Xochitl Galvez, in the polls. She has promised to carry out the policies put in place by her predecessor while shifting the emphasis to renewable energy.

Her proposed plan also calls for the building of gas-burning power plants, demonstrating a sophisticated approach to energy policy.

Gopichand Thotakura, an Indian pilot and entrepreneur, is all set to etch his name in history as the second Indian to venture into space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984. He has been chosen for Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission, marking him as the first Indian space tourist.

Hailing from Vijayawada, Thotakura holds a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical science and oversees Preserve Life Corp., a global centre for holistic wellness and applied health based near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the US. Despite residing in the US, he still retains his Indian passport.

The official announcement by Blue Origin revealing the crew caught Thotakura’s family off guard when they learned of his spaceflight plans. Thotakura obtained his pilot’s licence before his driver’s licence and previously operated a medical air evacuation service in India.

After an 18-month break, Blue Origin will resume crewed flights with the NS-25 mission scheduled for April. This mission is particularly significant as it is the company’s second launch following a setback in September 2022 when a malfunctioning nozzle set off the flight termination mechanism.

The launch is scheduled to occur from Blue Origin’s launch pad in West Texas, propelling Thotakura and the other members of the crew into orbit and beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

Egypt plans a green energy initiative to construct two solar power stations. The European Union (EU) will provide the $20.60 million (1 billion Egyptian pound) investment.

The first project, valued at 550 million Egyptian pounds, will be situated at the Assiut Oil Refining Company, boasting a capacity of 10 megawatts. According to the petroleum ministry’s statement, it is slated for completion within 11 months.

Another venture set to generate electricity from solar energy is in the works at the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC). This project will have a capacity of 6.5 megawatts and carry an investment cost of 500 million Egyptian pounds ($10.42 million).

The financing for these ambitious endeavours will be facilitated through an EU grant. Egypt’s advantageous geographic location, which is characterised by high levels of solar radiation and extensive desert regions, highlights the country’s exceptional potential for developing renewable energy.

Egypt has accelerated its renewable energy targets in alignment with global sustainability efforts. It aims to achieve 42% of its power generation from renewables by 2030, five years ahead of the initially proposed timeline of 2035. Despite its aspirations to position itself as a renewable energy hub, Egypt faces stiff competition from neighbouring North African and Middle Eastern countries.