Category: Life & Style

The Biden administration intends to relax projected annual standards through 2030 to reduce tailpipe emissions and increase sales of electric vehicles (EVs). The decision was made in response to concerns expressed by automakers and the United Auto Workers (UAW).

With an aim of 60% EVs by 2030 and 67% by 2032, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had originally suggested a 56% reduction in new vehicle emissions by that time. However, under the amended plan, the EPA would reduce the annual emissions standards. Thus, EVs will account for less than 60% of all vehicles produced by 2030.

Meanwhile, a more gradual increase in strictness was demanded by automakers and the UAW. It cited the significant expenses associated with EV technology and the requirement for additional charging stations. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI) states that 40–50% of vehicles should be electric by 2030, highlighting the significance of the upcoming years for the EV sector.

The White House climate adviser, Ali Zaidi, has emphasised the significance of making wise investments in guiding the global auto sector while the EPA’s proposal is still being reviewed. Additionally, it is anticipated that the EPA will address automakers’ concerns about fuel efficiency rating changes, engine methods, and particulate matter reduction.

Thailand has introduced a medical coverage scheme to reassure tourists about their safety while visiting the country. Under the programme, foreign tourists are entitled to medical coverage of up to 500,000 baht (approximately $14,000) for accidents and compensation of up to one million baht for fatalities.

The campaign, launched on February 14, is a collaboration between Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry and its Public Health Ministry. With a budget of 50 million baht, the scheme covers incidents occurring between January 1 and August 31, 2024, with a maximum coverage of one million baht per person for death and 300,000 baht for permanent disabilities.

In 2023, Thailand received 28 million visitors, a significant increase from the previous year’s 11 million but still below the pre-pandemic level of 40 million in 2019. The government targets 35 million visitors in 2024, aiming for $55 billion in revenue.

Foreign tourists can apply for coverage at provincial tourism offices, Bangkok airport assistance centres, or online. Despite postponing a previous tourism fee plan due to the pandemic, Thailand prioritises increasing arrivals and tourism spending. The Thailand Traveller Safety (TTS) platform expedites insurance disbursement, allowing tourists to claim medical expenses within 15 days, with compensation expected in the same timeframe.

Indonesian authorities are geared up for today’s election, deploying 25,000 police to ensure security. The election marks a milestone in the country’s democratic journey since the end of authoritarian rule 25 years ago.

Overseeing economic growth and stability, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has established Indonesia as a hub for international corporations in the supply chain for electric vehicles. However, in the run-up to the election, complaints of political involvement and attempts to create a political dynasty have emerged. Jokowi isn’t endorsing any one candidate, but his relationship with Prabowo Subianto—a former special forces commander whose son is a vice president candidate—has garnered media interest.

According to opinion polls, Defence Minister Prabowo might receive more than 50% of the vote and win hands-down.

There are still issues; weather warnings affect voting in West Java, and flooding forces Central Java to postpone voting. Accusations of election rule violations against Jokowi have stirred controversy, leading to protests against perceived democratic regression.  After the fall of Suharto’s regime in 1998, student-led protests that marked Jokowi’s presidency initially represented a break from Indonesia’s political past.

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the family members of late Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, who was posthumously honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. Thakur’s family expressed gratitude during their meeting at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Delhi. His son, Ram Nath Thakur, a Rajya Sabha member, represented them.

Modi praised Karpoori Thakur as the protector of the underprivileged, highlighting his dedication to social justice. Ram Nath Thakur compared the event to a second Diwali celebration and expressed gratitude on behalf of the family, Bihar, and underprivileged groups.

Ranjit Kumar, Thakur’s grandson, shared the Prime Minister’s outreach after the award announcement and described meeting the PM as a family member. Born in 1924, Karpoori Thakur climbed through the ranks of the Nai Samaj to become the Chief Minister of Bihar, where he steadfastly promoted affirmative action and social equality.

Thakur’s political journey, which saw him go from the Praja Socialist Party to the Janata Party and then the Janata Dal, represented his dedication to empowering the underprivileged. His legacy is one of compassion and tenacity, encouraging continued work towards a more equitable society.

Karpoori Thakur passed away in 1988, leaving a lasting impact on Indian politics and social justice.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, along with agricultural scientist Dr MS Swaminathan, will receive India’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna. PM Modi praised Narasimha Rao’s scholarly and statesmanlike contributions, noting his pivotal role in India’s economic progress, foreign policy, and cultural enrichment. Rao’s tenure as Prime Minister saw significant economic reforms that opened India to global markets.

Chaudhary Charan Singh honoured posthumously, was lauded for his lifelong dedication to farmers’ rights and welfare, his leadership during challenging times, and his steadfast stance against the emergency. Modi highlighted Charan Singh’s contributions to nation-building as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and as a national legislator.

Dr MS Swaminathan, recognised for his pivotal role in achieving agricultural self-reliance and modernization in India, was praised for his mentorship, innovation, and advocacy for research in agriculture. Modi emphasised Swaminathan’s transformative leadership in ensuring India’s food security and prosperity.

PM Modi’s announcement underscores the diverse legacies of the awardees and their contributions to India’s development. Interestingly, he had recently criticised the Congress party for not recognising leaders like BR Ambedkar with the Bharat Ratna, highlighting the need for a broader recognition of Indian luminaries.

The Academy Awards organisers have announced the introduction of a new Oscar category for best casting, set to debut at the 2026 ceremony. This marks the first addition to the competitive categories since Best Animated Feature was included in 2002.

Casting directors have long campaigned for recognition comparable to other filmmaking disciplines like sound, costume, hair, and makeup. The Academy’s decision reflects an acknowledgement of the crucial role casting directors play in the filmmaking process.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed their pride in recognising casting as an essential element of filmmaking.

Despite efforts to streamline the Oscar ceremony, which often exceeds its scheduled three-hour duration, the addition of the casting category demonstrates the Academy’s commitment to honouring all aspects of filmmaking.

Casting directors are among the first professionals involved in a film project, responsible for selecting both lead and supporting actors. While casting directors celebrate the news of their category’s inclusion, stunt performers continue to campaign for their recognition at the Oscars.

The Academy has attempted in recent years to reduce the Oscar ceremony in an attempt to maintain spectator interest, but the decision has been made. The performance frequently goes much beyond its allotted three hours.

One of the most important and thriving industries driving the global economy is lifestyle. It stands as a key contributor, with its consumption in the top 8 economies comprising around 70% of global consumption. Developing economies, especially India and China, are the major growth drivers of the global lifestyle market. This market is notable for haute couture, where expensive clothing brands stand out from mass-produced lines.

(in million U.S dollars)

Following are the World’s Most Valuable Lifestyle Brands:

1) Nike – United States – (USD 31,307)

Origin: The United States

Value: $31.3 billion

Key Strengths: Strong Brand Awareness and Brand Value, Huge Customer base, Iconic Relationships, Low Manufacturing Cost

Fun Facts: The Nike Swoosh Was Designed for $35 in 1971 and Revenues from “Men’s Training” are nearly double that of “Women’s Training”

2) Louis Vuitton – France ($26,290M)

Origin: France

Value: $26.3 billion

Key Strengths: Strong Retail Presence, Focus on Quality and Craftsmanship, Innovation, Diverse Product Offerings

Fun Facts: luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton never puts its products on sale and the famous LV monogram came after Louis Vuitton’s death.

3) Chanel – France ($19,386M)

Origin: France

Value: $19.4 billion

Key Strengths: Production Quality, Loyal Customer Base, Strong Brand Image, Controlled Distribution Channels

Fun Facts: Chanel has its own vineyard and also sponsors the prestigious French Open tennis tournament.

4) Gucci – Italy ($17,839M)

Origin: Italy

Value: $17.8 billion

Key Strengths: Brand heritage and recognition, Global presence, Collaborations and partnerships

Fun Facts: Guccio Gucci was an elevator operator in the swanky Savoy Hotel situated in London and the first items manufactured by Gucci include detachable leather bags for saddles.

5) Adidas – Germany ($15,660M)

Origin: Germany

Value: $15.7 billion

Key Strengths: brand value, innovation, diversified product portfolio, strategic partnership and endorsements, global presence

Fun Facts: The Trefoil logo of the brand was first introduced in the Munich Olympics in 1972. The brand wasn’t originally known as Adidas, but was started under the name Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik in 1924.

6) Hermès – France ($14,165M)

Origin: France

Value: $14.2 billion

Key Strengths: Large network, diverse portfolio, top designers

Fun Facts: Hermes was the first company to use the zipper for leather goods and clothing in France.

7) Dior – France ($13,152M)

Origin: France

Value: $13.2 billion

Key Strengths: Timeless Elegance and Couture Craftsmanship, Iconic Designs and Symbols, Global Presence and Market Penetration, Strategic Marketing and Branding

Fun Facts: The Dior family ran a successful fertilizer business. Christian Ernest Dior, known for creating namesake fashion brand opened his first business as an art gallery.

8) Cartier – France ($12,538M)

Origin: France

Value: $12.5 billion

Key Strengths: Lasting legacy, global outreach, maintaining status quo. 

Fun Fact: Louis Cartier was the first jewelry designer to popularize the wristwatch for men.

9) Zara – Spain ($11,049M)

Origin: Spain

Value: $11 billion

Key Strengths: Fast and efficient production, affordable prices, visual merchandising

Fun Facts: Zara was originally named Zorba and currently it has 2000 stores in 94 countries!

10) Rolex – Switzerland ($10,711M)

Origin: Switzerland

Value: $10.7 billion

Key Strengths: Product quality and innovation, Vertical integration, and Timeless design

Fun Facts: All of Rolex’s watches are handmade and uses the most expensive stainless steel in the world, also known as 904L.

Source:

Doo Finders: https://www.doofinder.com/en/statistics/top-clothing-brands 

Statista: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1207840/top-apparel-clothes-brands-worldwide/

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Goa Governor Shreedharan Pillai, and ONGC officials, inaugurated the integrated ONGC Sea Survival Training Centre at Betul. Situated at the expansive ONGC Goa campus of IPSHEM, the centre is India’s deepest training facility, offering lifelike simulations for personnel to evacuate a helicopter cabin in crash scenarios. It is expected to train 10,000–15,000 people personally annually.

Featuring the country’s deepest pool, the facility replicates challenging conditions like mist, waves, darkness, and rain with eight types of waves up to two metres high. Its world-class faculty provides classroom sessions and practical, in-water training with one trainer per individual.

A standout feature is the full-scale simulation of a helicopter cabin submerging into the pool, imitating crash scenarios. Trainees learn to swiftly disengage harnesses, overcome shock, and resurface within minutes.

The Sea Survival Centre, initially designed for ONGC’s safety needs, is open to entities like the Navy, merchant carriers, Coast Guard, OMCs, and international participants. With over 10,000 offshore ONGC personnel, the centre mitigates the risks associated with helicopter travel, ensuring readiness for potential sea crashes.

On Tuesday, the European Commission is set to unveil its recommendation, advocating for a substantial reduction in the EU’s net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% before 2040. As the EU elections approach, this proposed target emphasises the importance of sustaining Europe’s vigorous fight against climate change.

The Commission’s plan has been strongly endorsed in early drafts, with a 90% reduction objective compared to 1990 levels. The EU’s 2040 aim is a crucial step towards its ultimate goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, which will end Europe’s contribution to global climate change and bridge the gap between the organisation’s current 2030 climate goal.

Formed amidst widespread protests by farmers throughout the continent and against particular environmental laws imposed by the EU, the EU’s policy emphasises how important it is to maintain popular support and safeguard European industry.

According to a draft of the EU plan, there will be a concerted effort to address the necessary conditions for businesses and citizens to successfully navigate the transition. With China’s green technology sector fiercely competing with traditional industries, Europe’s climate agenda faces a complicated political landscape.

Shankar Mahadevan and Zakir Hussain, along with their band Shakti, clinched the prestigious Best Global Music Album award for ‘This Moment’ at the 2024 Grammys. This win marked a significant victory for India on the international stage. Comprising guitarist John McLaughlin, percussionist V Selvaganesh, and violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan, Shakti’s fusion of talent and innovation propelled them to the forefront of global music recognition.

Released on June 30 of the previous year, ‘This Moment’ is an album that consists of eight mesmerising tracks created by McLaughlin, Hussain, Mahadevan, Selvaganesh, and Rajagopalan. It captivated audiences worldwide with its enchanting melodies and dynamic rhythms.

As the 66th Annual Grammy Awards unfolded in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, Shakti’s resounding victory illuminated the richness and diversity of India’s musical heritage on a global scale. Shakti’s win highlighted their extraordinary musical talent among artists like Susana Baca, Bokante, Burna Boy, and Davido.

During his acceptance speech, Mahadevan extended gratitude to his fellow band members, expressing appreciation for their collective effort. He also acknowledged the unwavering support of his family, friends, and India, eliciting resounding cheers from the audience. Additionally, he dedicated the award to his wife, recognising her as a steadfast source of inspiration throughout his musical journey.