Category: Life & Style

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.

The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot Fort in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district on the occasion of Navy Day.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the visionary leader of the Maratha empire, constructed several coastal and sea forts. The unveiling ceremony highlighted his significant contribution to India’s maritime history, with a special focus on the iconic Sindhudurg Fort. The prime minister paid homage to the legendary leader who is also known as the father of the Indian Navy.

PM Modi attended the Navy Day 2023 celebrations in Sindhudurg where the Indian Navy displayed its operational prowess and capabilities. An ‘Operational Demonstration’ covering a spectrum of naval operations by ships and aircraft was organized at the iconic Sindhudurg Fort on the western seaboard of India.

The event, hosted by Admiral R. Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, was witnessed from the Tarkarli beach by senior Centre and State government officials, military dignitaries and the local populace. The event aimed to celebrate and glorify the nation’s rich maritime history and shed light on colonial practices.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the renaming of ranks in the Indian Navy during the Navy Day celebrations in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. The decision reflects a commitment to honoring the legacy of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, credited for building the country’s first modern Navy.

Addressing the celebration, PM Modi highlighted the transformative ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, stating that India of today is moving forward abandoning the slavery mentality. The Prime Minister unveiled plans for the epaulettes worn by naval officers to prominently feature the heritage and legacy of Shivaji Maharaj, aligning them with the design of the naval ensign.

“Inspired by the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the epaulettes donned by our naval officers will now highlight the heritage and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as the new epaulettes will be similar to the naval ensign,” PM Modi announced during the celebration.

Prime Minister Modi also took the opportunity to emphasize the empowerment of ‘nari shakti’ within the armed forces. He commended the Indian Navy for appointing its first woman commanding officer on a naval ship, marking a significant milestone in the country’s defense history.

PM Modi was also witness to an operational demonstration of the Indian Navy, in which ships, aircraft and submarines of the force took part, off the picturesque Tarkarli beach, highlighting the force’s prowess.

Saudi Arabia has introduced stricter regulations for issuing visas for the recruitment of domestic workers from abroad. The Musaned recruitment platform, designed to streamline the domestic labor market, has outlined key criteria for employers seeking to bring in overseas domestic help. Under the new regulations, the minimum age for an individual employer to secure a visa for domestic workers has been set at 24 years.

Under these rules, Saudi citizens, Gulf nationals, foreign wives of Saudi men, their mothers, and holders of Saudi premium residency permits can apply for visas to hire overseas domestic labor. However, the approval is contingent upon the financial capabilities of the employers. These rules were implemented to control the domestic labor market.

The Musaned platform plays a pivotal role in facilitating these transactions, offering a seamless process for wage transfers through digital platforms like STC Pay and Urpay apps. Notably, the platform provides additional services such as the transfer of a house worker’s service between employers, validation of domestic labor contracts, and resolution of disputes. Various categories of domestic workers, including housekeepers, drivers, housemaids, cleaners, cooks, guards, farmers, tailors, live-in nurses, tutors, and nannies, are covered under these regulations.

As the official recruitment channel for domestic labor in the country, Musaned aims to bring transparency and efficiency to the recruitment process, ensuring the rights of both employers and domestic workers.