Category: Life & Style

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.

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.