Category: Life & Style

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.

Austria has signaled a willingness to reconsider its opposition to Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen open-travel area, but with conditions. While expressing openness to easing restrictions on air travel, Austria demands enhanced security measures at the EU’s external borders.

Austria, a leading voice against the Schengen accession of Romania and Bulgaria, previously cited concerns about high levels of illegal immigration. The proposal for a compromise focuses on allowing passport-free travel between Romania, Bulgaria, and Schengen countries, specifically for air travel.

“On the other hand, there are clear demands in exchange for that, namely massively strengthening the protection of the (EU) external border, land border checks staying in place, and asylum seekers being transferred to Bulgaria and Romania,” Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said, referring to people who pass through there to reach Austria.

The demands include a threefold increase in border police numbers and technical upgrades at key border points, particularly Bulgaria’s border with Turkey and Romania’s border with Serbia.

The proposed agreement, dubbed “Air Schengen,” would only eliminate passport checks for air travel, provided the specified security measures are implemented. This marks a potential breakthrough in a longstanding debate, as Austria seeks to balance concerns over illegal immigration with addressing the aspirations of Romania and Bulgaria to join the Schengen zone.

The U.N. human rights chief urged countries to work together to defeat threats such as war and pollution at an event marking 75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, risking overshadowing by the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Speaking in Geneva, Turk invoked the spirit that led to the adoption of the declaration in 1948, responding to what the document calls “barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind.”

Turk characterized the event as a “call to hope” and a “call to action,” highlighting the declaration’s historical impact, including the end of racial segregation in the U.S. and apartheid in South Africa. However, he acknowledged present-day challenges, citing conflicts, famine, discrimination, repression, and pollution.

The Israel-Hamas conflict loomed over the event, with Turk expressing concern about the suffering of millions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza. Despite the declaration’s milestone, the world currently faces 55 active conflicts, the United Nations reported.

In communications about the two-day event, Turk’s office has avoided the word “celebrate” in referring to the anniversary, preferring instead the term “mark.”

While Turk emphasized a call to overcome polarization, other U.N. officials conveyed a more somber tone.

Lynn Hastings, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said human rights were under assault more than two months after Hamas’ deadly cross-border attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, followed by a retaliatory Israeli bombing campaign.

“In 2023, I should not have to issue such a statement,” she said. “It is as if we have learned nothing in the past 75 years.”

The United Nations has issued a plea for $46 billion in funding for 2024 to assist millions of people grappling with humanitarian crises worldwide.

The Global Humanitarian Overview for 2024, released by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) on December 11, highlights that nearly 300 million individuals will require humanitarian aid in the coming year due to conflicts, climate emergencies, and economic challenges.

Of particular concern is East and Southern Africa, where 74.1 million people are affected, notably in crisis-ridden Sudan.

“We will target for our specific needs, for the agencies that I represent, 181 million of those 300,” said U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths.

He said that other organizations, including the Red cross and national Red Cross societies, had made their own funding appeals.

However, the overall humanitarian system faces a substantial funding crisis, with just over one-third of the required $57 billion funded in 2022, marking the “worst funding shortfall in years,” according to Ocha’s annual assessment.

The Middle East, including the occupied Palestinian territories, Gaza, and the West Bank, is anticipated to be a region of significant need. Griffiths emphasized the critical situation in Ukraine, stating that the country is facing desperate times, with a war expected to resume in full swing next year, requiring substantial attention.

The UK government has announced Dr. Samir Shah, a distinguished Indian-origin media executive, as its preferred candidate for the position of BBC Chairman. Dr. Shah, originally from Aurangabad and a resident of England since 1960, boasts over 40 years of experience in TV production and journalism.

Formerly the head of current affairs and political programmes at the BBC, Dr. Shah will succeed Richard Sharp, who resigned amid scrutiny of his communication with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. As the CEO and owner of Juniper, an independent television and radio production company, Dr. Shah received a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 for his contributions to television and heritage.

A respected figure, Dr. Shah served as a non-executive director of the BBC from 2007 to 2010 and co-authored the government’s Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report in 2021. He was also part of a panel appointed to independently review unrest in Leicester in the aftermath of an India-Pakistan cricket match.

In his new role as BBC Chairman, Dr. Shah, an Oxford University alumnus, will lead the public broadcaster in its mission to inform, educate, and entertain. The appointment comes with a three-day-a-week commitment and an annual salary of £160,000. Prior to taking charge, Dr. Shah will undergo pre-appointment scrutiny by the House of Commons Media and Sport Select Committee.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer expressed confidence in Dr. Shah’s ability to navigate the challenges of the evolving media landscape, citing his extensive career and clear ambition to ensure the BBC’s success. Dr. Shah, in response, expressed his honor and commitment to supporting the BBC in fulfilling its unique duty to a wide audience across the country.

To enhance bilateral ties and facilitate travel, Saudi Arabia has announced a 96-hour stopover visa for Indian travelers, along with the issuance of regular visas within 48 hours. Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, shared this development during his visit to Delhi, where he addressed the media alongside Union Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani and Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan.

Al-Rabiah revealed that Indian citizens can now undertake Umrah on business, tourism, and Umrah visas. The Umrah visa, valid for 90 days, allows holders to reside and visit any city in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Highlighting the surge in Umrah pilgrims from India, Al-Rabiah noted a remarkable 74% increase in 2023, surpassing 1.2 million pilgrims. During his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, discussions centered on facilitating the Hajj pilgrimage by Indian nationals and strengthening the ties between the two nations.

The Haj Committee of India aims to address the possibility of increasing India’s Hajj pilgrimage quota during Al-Rabiah’s visit. Currently set at 1,75,025 for 2023, the committee is optimistic about discussions to raise the quota to at least 2,00,000 pilgrims.

These developments mark a positive stride in the relationship between Saudi Arabia and India, offering enhanced travel opportunities and fostering cultural exchanges between the two nations.

Gujarat’s iconic Garba dance has been inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel shared this historic news, celebrating the cultural richness and inclusivity embedded in the traditional dance.

This recognition, granted under the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, marks the 15th element from India to join this distinguished list. Garba, a dance deeply rooted in ritualistic and devotional traditions, plays a pivotal role in promoting social and gender inclusivity.

Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy expressed the nation’s pride, emphasizing Garba’s symbolic representation of celebration, devotion, gender inclusivity, and social equality. The dance’s inscription is seen as a testament to the Indian government’s relentless efforts to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage globally.

The UNESCO New Delhi cluster office shared the excitement on social media, proclaiming, “Excited to share that #Garba of Gujarat is now India’s 15th inscription on the @UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity!”

Garba, traditionally performed during Navratri to honor feminine energy or Shakti, brings diverse communities together in a celebration of cultural vibrancy. Previous Indian inclusions in the prestigious list include Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021), Kumbh Mela (2017), and Yoga (2016). The inscription of Garba reaffirms India’s commitment to preserving and promoting its rich cultural heritage on the global stage.

Captain Geetika Koul of the Snow Leopard Brigade has become the first woman medical officer in the Indian Army to be deployed at Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, the Fire and Fury Corps announced on Tuesday.

This achievement follows Captain Koul’s successful completion of rigorous induction training at the esteemed Siachen Battle School. The training, considered a formidable test of physical and mental endurance, covers various aspects such as high-altitude acclimatization, survival techniques, and specialized medical procedures.

In a social media post, the Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army declared, “Captain Geetika Koul from the Snow Leopard Brigade becomes the first Woman Medical officer of the Indian Army to be deployed at the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen after successfully completing the induction training at Siachen Battle School.”

Siachen, situated in the northern Himalayas, is renowned not only for its strategic importance but also for its harsh climate and demanding topography. Captain Geetika Koul’s deployment as the inaugural woman medical officer to this extreme battlefield represents a significant stride towards gender inclusion within the Indian Army.