In September 2019, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for the first time, started offering tourist visas. It is for the first time that the ultra-conservative country has opened its gates for holidaymakers. This diplomatic move is a part of a push to diversify its economy away from oil. The initiative of starting tourism is one of the focal points of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform program to prepare the biggest Arab economy post-oil-era. The announcement came at a critical time when the country witnessed a devastating attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure. Ahm
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the prominent international organization in the field of tourism, is the UN agency accountable for the promotion of responsible and viable tourism, and considers tourism as a dynamic force to foster economic development, inclusive growth and environmental sustainability and offers headship and direction to the sector in promoting knowledge and tourism policies world over. In the 38 previous editions of World Tourism Day, the focus had been made on Peace and Dialogue, Energy, Accessibility, World Heritage, Water and Tourism and Sustainable Tourism.
Justice Ranjan Gogoi has taken over as the new GJI on October 3, 2018, after succeeding former GJI Dipak Misra, who retired at the mandatory retirement age of 65. Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra recommended Justice Ranjan Gogoi’s name for the post to the government, who took oath in the presence of President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Ranjan Gogoi became 46th Chief Justice of India. His tenure is slated to complete on November 17, 2019, a day before turning 65 years of age. He belongs to Assam and is the son of former Assam CM Keshab Chandra Gogoi. He started practicing a
In 2018,12 new laureates have been awarded Nobel Prize for accomplishments that have done the greatest good to mankind. The award, Nobel Peace Prize, is administered by the Norwegian Nobel Committee and is given by a committee of five people, which is elected by the Parliament of Norway. The Nobel Peace Prize award includes a medal, a diploma, and finances/funds. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awards the Nobel Prize in Physics, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel; the Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute bes
The flightless elephant birds of Madagascar, Vorombe titan, have not been a lucky species. Relentless human interference resulted in the extinction of the species in the 17th century. Weighing 1,000 pounds and standing nearly 10 feet tall, the bird’s designation as the largest bird to roam the earth was challenged by the discovery of Dromornis stirtoni, an unrelated Australian giant that vanished over 20,000 years ago. After heavy debate and some recent revelations, however, the vegetarian elephant bird's title as the largest has been restored. The bird had four species across three genera
Behrouz Boochani, a Kurdish-Iranian asylum seeker detained in Manus Island, Papua New Guinea has won Australia’s richest and most prestigious literary prize, the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award 2019. The Guardian columnist has won the top prize for his non-fictional work “No Friends But the Mountains: Writing from Manus Prison” sweeping $100000 for Victorian Prize for Literature and another $25000 for first place in the category of fiction. Boochani wasn’t allowed to attend the award ceremony which was held on 31st Jan 2019, as he was detained in the Manus Island and has been den
On Friday, 22nd Feb 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the distinguished 2018 Seoul Peace Prize in recognition to his efforts in international cooperation and promoting the economic growth in the world’s fastest growing large economy. The award committee had assessed over a hundred candidates proposed by over 1300 nominators worldwide. It is awarded biennially to the individuals who have contributed to the harmony of mankind, reconciliation between nations and to world peace. The Seoul Peace Prize Foundation presented the award to him at a grand ceremony. The life and achie
The 61st Annual Grammy Awards were held in Los Angeles with all its glam and glitz on 10th Feb 2019. The largest and star-studded music awards show celebrates and honors the best in the music industry. Proclaimed as the most distinguished musical night, international singers, enthusiasts, and fans gathered to witness what is considered to be the Nobel Prize of Music. The award ceremony is hosted by R&B singer Alicia keys, which is the first female host in the last 14 years, held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Due to the fierce competition, the Recording Academy had expanded its
The United Arab Emirates recently launched the “Golden Card” Permanent Residency Scheme for expatriates. The scheme, launched by the UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, is meant to pursue and attract wealthy individuals and exceptional talents such as doctors, engineers, scientists, students and artists from all over the world. Dubai’s ruler took to social media and stated, “We want them to be permanent partners in our journey. Residents are an indispensable part of our country. The first batch of 6,800 investors with Dh100 billion worth of investments will be
The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged the initiative of the Government of Malawi at the launch of the world’s first and only malaria vaccine through a part of a landmark pilot program. After the combined efforts of over 30 years Malawi has made the vaccine available to children in Africa. In the coming weeks, Ghana and Kenya will also introduce the vaccine. WHO coordinated the pilot program with a collective effort from health ministries of Malawi, Ghana, and Kenya and other partners including non-profit organizations, and GlaxoSmithKline, the vaccine developer. The vaccine, k