Category: Life & Style

The recent UNESCO listing of traditional North African metal craftsmanship has cast a new spotlight on this ancient art form, bringing international recognition and revitalizing interest in a cultural heritage that spans centuries. This acknowledgment by UNESCO underlines the significance of metal art in North Africa’s cultural and historical identity and promises to breathe new life into these traditional practices.

Metal art in North Africa, a skill passed down through generations, is a testament to the region’s rich history and artisanal ingenuity. The art form, encompassing intricate metalwork in gold, silver, copper, and brass, is renowned for its elaborate designs and detailed craftsmanship. It forms an integral part of the cultural fabric in countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt, where artisans create everything from jewelry and household items to ornamental architectural features.

The UNESCO listing is not just a nod to the artistic value of these works; it’s a crucial step in preserving a craft at risk of fading into obscurity. In recent years, the traditional metalworking techniques have been threatened by mass production and a dwindling number of skilled artisans. This international recognition aims to revitalize the craft, encouraging the younger generation to learn and preserve these age-old techniques.

Furthermore, this recognition is anticipated to boost tourism and local economies. It draws global attention to the unique cultural offerings of North Africa, inviting tourists and art connoisseurs to explore the region’s heritage. For local artisans, it provides a much-needed platform to showcase their work on an international stage, potentially opening up new markets.

In summary, UNESCO’s listing of North African metal art is a significant milestone. It not only celebrates a rich cultural heritage but also offers hope for the preservation and continuation of this exquisite art form.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been honored with the esteemed Leif Erikson Lunar Prize by the Husavik Museum, recognizing ISRO’s unwavering commitment and substantial contributions to lunar exploration.

The accolade specifically acknowledges the success of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, which achieved a historic milestone by successfully landing near the Moon’s South Pole on August 23, 2023, establishing India as the first country to accomplish such a feat.

Chandrayaan-3’s triumph is attributed to key technological advancements, including software enhancements that improved navigation algorithms, guidance systems, and fault tolerance mechanisms, crucial for ensuring a flawless descent and lunar surface landing.

The mission’s lander, Vikram, equipped with the Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE), provided valuable data on lunar surface temperature, reaching a depth of 10 centimeters below the surface. The Pragyan rover conducted in-situ experiments, further enriching our understanding of the Moon.

Expressing gratitude for the honor, ISRO Chairman Mr. S. Somanath highlighted the international recognition of India’s growing expertise in space exploration.

The Leif Erikson Lunar Prize, named after Norse explorer Leif Erikson, is presented by the Exploration Museum in Husavik, Iceland, to those who have made remarkable contributions to lunar exploration.

French President Emmanuel Macron is poised to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26 next year, according to sources. Initially, the Indian government had extended an invitation to the U.S. President Joe Biden, who regretfully conveyed his inability to attend the event in New Delhi.

Emmanuel Macron will be the sixth French leader to partake in the Republic Day parade, following in the footsteps of Jacques Chirac, who graced the occasion twice in 1976 and 1998, and former presidents Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and François Hollande, who attended in 1980, 2008, and 2016, respectively.

The invitation to Macron follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France in July, where he participated in the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris. The event commemorates the historic storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution in 1789.

Furthermore, Macron’s visit to Delhi in September for the G20 Summit marked a continuation of high-level engagements between India and France. Prime Minister Modi expressed optimism about the progression of bilateral relations during a productive meeting with Macron.

This year’s Republic Day chief guest was Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. India traditionally invites foreign leaders to partake in its Republic Day celebrations, with the exception of 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

India’s aviation landscape witnessed a significant shift in punctuality rankings for March 2023, as Akasa Air, the nation’s newest airline, claimed the title of the most punctual carrier, according to the latest report from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The quarterly performance review for January – March 2023 highlighted a remarkable 94.2 percent On-Time Performance (OTP) for Akasa Air, surpassing industry giant IndiGo.

IndiGo, which has long held the position of India’s most punctual airline, secured the second spot with a commendable 92 percent OTP. The Tata Group’s Vistara followed closely with an 83 percent market share, while Air India and Air Asia rounded out the top five with 82.1 percent and 76.6 percent OTP, respectively.

In the challenging Indian aviation market, Akasa Air has demonstrated resilience and steady progress, defying initial skepticism surrounding the launch of an airline amid the pandemic. Despite a landscape dominated by established low-cost carriers, Akasa has shown commendable growth over the past eight months.

Notably, Akasa Air dominated at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, boasting an impressive 99.4 percent OTP. The airline, currently serving 17 cities with 19 aircraft, reported a 3 percent passenger traffic market share for Q3 2023, and a March 2023 market share of 3.3 percent.

With a total of 11 scheduled domestic airlines operating in India, the DGCA’s report underscores the dynamic changes shaping the country’s aviation sector.

Iran has announced that it was lifting visa requirements for citizens of India as well as 32 other countries — being an addition to several other countries that have recently announced visa-free travel for Indian nationals.

The decision, revealed by Ezzatollah Zarghami, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts after a recent cabinet meeting, is geared towards advancing worldwide tourism and enhancing international relations.

The list of 32 countries granted visa-free travel to Iran includes Russia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Japan, Brazil, and several others. This announcement follows Iran’s earlier decision to lift visa requirements for citizens of Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Oman, China, Armenia, Lebanon, and Syria.

India, with one of the fastest-growing markets for outbound tourism, continues to expand its list of countries offering visa-free entry to its citizens. Currently, 27 countries extend this privilege to Indian nationals, with recent additions such as Kenya, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.

According to a recent McKinsey analysis, India witnessed a surge in outbound tourism, reaching 13 million tourists in 2022. The Ministry of Tourism reports that the top destinations for Indian citizens include the UAE, the USA, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Thailand, with a significant portion constituting diaspora tourists.

The Ministry of Railways in India has announced a visionary plan to eradicate waiting lists within the next 4-5 years. This initiative, backed by a substantial investment of Rs 1 lakh crore, aims to acquire 7,000-8,000 new train sets over the next 15 years, primarily targeting the burgeoning demand in the general and sleeper-class coaches.

Data analysis from April to October 2023 reveals a significant shift in passenger distribution, with non-AC coaches dominating the landscape. General and Sleeper classes, accounting for a remarkable 95.3% of total passengers carried, witnessed a substantial increase of 38 crore passengers compared to the previous year. This underscores a clear trend toward more budget-friendly travel options. In contrast, AC coaches accommodated 4.7% of total passengers, marking a notable increase of 3.1 crore passengers compared to the previous year.

To address this surge in demand, Indian Railways has taken a proactive stance by expanding its services. A total of 562 additional trains are now operational daily across the Indian Railways network, compared to pre-COVID days. This includes an increase in mail/express trains, suburban trains, and passenger trains, resulting in a total of 10,748 trains running each day.

The Ministry’s strategic approach not only tackles the current spike in demand but also lays the foundation for a future where waiting lists become obsolete, promising a seamless and efficient rail travel experience for millions of passengers.

At the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, representatives from almost 200 nations committed on Wednesday to initiate a global reduction in fossil fuel consumption, heralding a decisive shift away from the age of oil. After intense negotiations spanning two weeks, the deal sends a resounding message to investors and policymakers, affirming the world’s united front in addressing climate change, considered the last best hope to stave off climate catastrophe.

COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber hailed the agreement as “historic,” emphasizing that its true success would be in its implementation.

“We are what we do, not what we say,” he told the crowded plenary at the summit. “We must take the steps necessary to turn this agreement into tangible actions.”

The breakthrough faced significant resistance from the Saudi Arabia-led OPEC, which opposed explicit language calling for the “phase-out” of oil, gas, and coal. The battle extended negotiations into overtime, raising concerns of a potential impasse.

Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, lauded the accord, highlighting its clarity on the imperative to transition away from fossil fuels—a sentiment echoed by over 100 countries.

The COP28 agreement, a first in nearly 30 years of climate negotiations, emphasizes global efforts towards “transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems” and “phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.”

Notably, it acknowledges concerns raised by countries like India, South Africa and China, on coal phase-down, maintaining the language from the 2021 conference in Glasgow.

Azerbaijan has secured the hosting rights for the COP29 climate change summit, gaining support from Eastern European nations during the ongoing COP28 summit in Dubai.

The decision, resolving months of geopolitical deadlock, drew attention to Azerbaijan’s oil production and human rights record. While Azerbaijan’s Ecology Minister, Mukhtar Babayev, expressed gratitude for the support, concerns were raised by Zhala Bayramova, daughter of anti-corruption researcher Gubad Ibadoghlu, who criticized the country’s oil and gas industry. Bayramova noted that hosting COP29 gives legitimacy to the government and voiced apprehension about her father’s safety.

The bid faced obstacles as Russia vowed to veto any EU country’s bid, leading Azerbaijan to seek approval from the nearly 200 countries present at COP28.

The agreement with Armenia, a historical adversary, ensured no Armenian veto threat. However, Azerbaijan’s relations with some Western countries soured following the reclaiming of Nagorno-Karabakh in September. Hosting COP29 grants significant influence over the summit’s agenda and outcomes.

While concerns arose about holding climate talks in an oil-producing nation, Azerbaijan, a member of OPEC+, aims to diversify energy sources, including wind and solar power. The decision reflects the nation’s preparedness to handle the event.

COP28 in the UAE, with over 90,000 delegates, marked a substantial gathering. The hosting announcement for COP29 comes amid ongoing discussions at COP28 and underscores Azerbaijan’s pivotal role in shaping the global climate agenda.

Kenyan President William Ruto declared on Tuesday that visitors from around the world will no longer need a visa to enter Kenya, effective January. Ruto unveiled a state-of-the-art digital platform designed to streamline the process, ensuring all visitors receive electronic travel authorization in advance.

During an event in Nairobi commemorating 60 years of independence from Britain, President Ruto emphasized the government’s commitment to easing travel barriers. He expressed that individuals globally will no longer be burdened with visa applications when planning a trip to Kenya.

This announcement aligns with Ruto’s persistent advocacy for visa-free travel within the African continent. During a conference in the Republic of Congo in October, he outlined plans for visa exemptions for people from African countries visiting Kenya by the end of 2023.

Kenya’s thriving tourism industry, known for its picturesque Indian Ocean coastline and captivating wildlife safaris, plays a pivotal role in the nation’s economy.

Ruto concluded his speech with a warm invitation, stating, “Kenya has a simple message to humanity: Welcome Home!” The move is expected to boost international tourism and further solidify Kenya’s position as a premier travel destination.

Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India (SII), famously dubbed the ‘Vaccine Prince,’ has reportedly sealed a deal to purchase the most expensive home to be sold in London this year. Mr. Poonawalla will pay approximately £138 million (Rs 1,446 crore) for the opulent 25,000 square foot Mayfair mansion known as Aberconway House.

The lavish 1920s residence, located near Hyde Park, will be acquired by Serum Life Sciences, a UK-based subsidiary of SII, according to sources familiar with the transaction. The deal was finalized with Dominika Kulczyk, daughter of the late Jan Kulczyk, Poland’s wealthiest man.

While Aberconway House’s price tag secures its position as the second-most expensive home ever sold in London, it falls short of the record set by 2-8a Rutland Gate in January 2020, which sold for a staggering £210 million.

Despite the significant investment, a source close to Serum Life Sciences clarified that the Poonawalla family has “no plans” to relocate permanently to the UK. Instead, the mansion will serve as a base for the company and family during their stays in the country.

Renowned for being the world’s largest vaccine maker, Serum Institute of India achieved this status by producing affordable vaccines for developing nations. Recent reports suggest that Poonawalla’s SII is now eyeing opportunities to cater to the rich world’s demand for these crucial inoculations.