Throughout the day, participants at the European Tourism Convention on Monday mapped out key challenges and opportunities of the EU tourism sector…Reports Asian Lite News
The European Commission convened a meeting aimed at exploring paths out of the coronavirus crisis and chances of gaining a sustainable recovery of the tourism sector badly hit by the pandemic.
Following nine consecutive years of growth, the tourism ecosystem of the European Union (EU) is among the hardest hit by the global Covid-19 pandemic, reports Xinhua news agency.
Throughout the day, participants at the European Tourism Convention on Monday mapped out key challenges and opportunities of the EU tourism sector and proposed a set of actions as a basis for pledges and further discussion feeding into the European Agenda for Tourism.
“Tourism — one of the biggest sectors of our economy — is the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The Commission is providing unprecedented support for this extraordinary situation, including financial means for struggling businesses,” EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton.
But participants generally agreed that the new post-pandemic tourism era will also bring many new opportunities and new challenges, especially for more sustainable, greener tourism and more information accessible and data-driven tourism, which will enable the digital transition.
“Although the virus is still with us, now is the time to pave the way for a greener and more digital tourism,” Breton said.
Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili also called on governments to promote green investment to drive sustainable recovery from the crisis caused by the pandemic.
SHARM EL-SHEIKH (EGYPT), May 8, 2018 (Xinhua) — Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is interviewed by Xinhua News Agency at the 44th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for the Middle East and UNWTO Regional Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on May 8, 2018. The inflow of world tourism to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region increased by five percent in 2017, a record high since 2011, said Zurab Pololikashvili here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa/IANS)
Monday’s on-line conference gathered more than 700 participants, including national and regional public authorities, representatives of European sector associations and the tourism and travel industry, international organisations, academics and NGOs. Discussions focused on three main themes — resilience; sustainability/green transition; digital transition, data and innovation.
According to UNWTO, the EU saw 66 per cent less international tourist arrivals in the first half of 2020, compared to the same period last year.
Although the EU interior borders were partially reopened in the summer, the exterior border has largely been closed to the world.
People wearing masks walk on the Trocadero Place near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France (Xinhua/Gao Jing/IANS)
According to the authorities, the number of news cases are usually lower on Mondays because tests are fewer or data is not fully collected the previous day…Reports Asian Lite News
French health authorities have reported 8,505 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, a sharp fall from the 16,101 fresh infections registered two days ago.
According to the authorities, the number of news cases are usually lower on Mondays because tests are fewer or data is not fully collected the previous day, reports Xinhua news agency.
On October 10, France recorded 26,896 new cases, setting a new all-time high.
Currently, the country’s caseload stands at 743,479, with a total of 32,825 fatalities.
The number of patients who are receiving treatment in hospital surged to 8,671, up from 8,252 on Sunday.
Early Monday, two more cities in southern France, Toulouse and Montpellier, joined the list of maximum alert zones, which includes capital Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Grenoble, Saint-Etienne and Guadeloupe, an overseas region.
In those zones, where the incidence rate exceeds 250 people per 100,000 inhabitants and over 30 per cent of beds in intensive care units are occupied with Covid-19 patients, the authorities have already announced additional restrictive rules.
That includes closure of bars, pools and gyms, tougher health protocol in restaurants, cinemas and theatres.
Attendance to public events is cut from 5,000 to 1,000 and gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited in public spaces such as beaches and parks.
Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Jean Castex warned that the country was witnessing “a strong second wave”, saying that “there can no longer be any relaxation” to contain the pandemic.
“Nothing is excluded,” he said, adding further restrictions may be decided next two weeks “if health indicators deteriorate a lot and resuscitation beds are occupied even more than expected”.
President Emmanuel Macron is set to address the nation on the Covid-19 situation on Wednesday evening.
The Minister said the new rules would include limits or a full ban on parties at home, as well as a prohibition for people to linger outside bars, clubs, and stores in order to avoid gatherings…Asian Lite News
Italy is set to impose new social restrictions in an effort to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, after registering some of the highest increases in the number of single-day cases, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said.
In a statement on Monday, the Minister said the new rules would include limits or a full ban on parties at home, as well as a prohibition for people to linger outside bars, clubs, and stores in order to avoid gatherings, reports Xinhua news agency.
Speranza said that the measure on private parties were aimed at stemming the virus from spreading within family circles.
According to the latest monitoring report by Italy’s National Health Institute (ISS), 77.6 per cent of the hotspots across the country “keep occurring in the domestic circle”.
A new cabinet decree containing the new rules has to be passed by October 15 at the latest, but might be delivered sooner before the deadline, according to Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.
Rome, Aug. 18, 2020 (Xinhua) — Restaurant staff wait for customers in Rome, Italy, Aug. 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Cheng Tingting/IANS)
“I have good reasons to rule out a national lockdown, but such provision at the local level might be needed if the (pandemic) curve keeps rising,” the state-run Ansa news agency quoted Conte as saying on Monday.
“We will try to approve the new decree tonight,” he added.
Other expected rules include a reduction from 14 days to 10 days in the period of isolation at home for those who got in contact with a person that has tested positive for the the disease.
Presently, Italy’s overall Covid-19 caseload stands at 359,569, with 36,205 deaths.
Since October 1, the daily increases in new cases ranged between 2,500 and 5,700, still low compared to other European countries, but enough to raise the alert to the national level.
As a result, the cabinet on October 7 reintroduced the mandatory use of face masks everywhere outdoor and indoor, when not in contact with household members, and extended the state of emergency until January 31, 2021
The Gulf Cooperation Council, GCC, has raised “great concern” over the continued war between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the Nagorno-Karabakh region, resulting in casualties and injuries from both countries.
In a statement, GCC Secretary General Nayef Al Hajraf said that the Council ”urges Azerbaijan and Armenia to cease-fire and enter into comprehensive negotiations to reach an inclusive political solution in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and the international law.”
This dispute threatens stability and security of the Caucasus, as well as international peace, he noted as quoted by KUNA.
He appealed to the Security Council to assume its role for an immediate ceasefire and a political solution to the dispute to protect the lives of civilians and guarantee peace and security in this “sensitive area in the world.”
A major point of disagreement is the idea of mandatory relocation of asylum seekers arriving in Europe’s coastal states…Reports Asian Lite News
European Union (EU) Ministers held a meeting to discuss the new migration pact for the first time since it was announced in late September.
Amid tension between member states regarding the proposal, the meeting took place on Thursday via video conference, the Euronews TV network said in a report.
A major point of disagreement is the idea of mandatory relocation of asylum seekers arriving in Europe’s coastal states. Poland, Hungary and Austria have opposed this.
But the new plan sidesteps it by allowing other countries to share the burden through logistical support or organising the return of unsuccessful asylum applicants.
However, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, told Euronews that the new pact strikes the right balance.
“We have a very strong humanitarian angle in this proposal. We are standing up to defend the right to apply for asylum.
“We are doing new legislation to avoid push-backs at borders, we are taking the real step to do search and rescue so that those people can be disembarked on European soil with strong European solidarity,” Johansson said.
But some refugee organisations have argued that the new pact’s focus was wrong.
“It’s quite clear first of all that the pact aims to rebuild mutual trust between Member States and not prioritise refugee and migrant rights,” Sara Presitani from Euromed Rights told Euronews.
LONDON, July 25, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel leaves 10 Downing Street after attending a cabinet meeting in London, Britain, on July 25, 2019. (Photo by Alberto Pezzali/Xinhua/IANS)
The latest statistics also show that, of the more than 4 million applications across the UK, there have been nearly 3.7 million from England, 204,700 from Scotland, 67,200 from Wales and 66,300 from Northern Ireland up to the end of September 2020…reports Asian Lite News
Britain’s Home Secretary Priti Patel leaves 10 Downing Street after attending a cabinet meeting in London, Britain. (Photo by Alberto Pezzali/Xinhua/IANS)
The UK Home Office has announced that there have been more than four million applications to the EU Settlement Scheme, according to the latest published statistics.
This important milestone was reached with eight months still to go before the 30 June 2021 deadline. Nearly 3.8 million grants of status have also been made, securing millions of European’s rights in UK law for years to come.
The latest statistics also show that, of the more than 4 million applications across the UK, there have been nearly 3.7 million from England, 204,700 from Scotland, 67,200 from Wales and 66,300 from Northern Ireland up to the end of September 2020.
Minister for Future Borders and Immigration Kevin Foster said:
“European citizens are an integral part of our society, culture and community which is why I’m really proud we’ve already surpassed four million applications to the hugely successful EU Settlement Scheme.
“A wide range of support is available online and over the telephone if you need it and we are funding 72 organisations across the UK to help the more vulnerable in society.”
The EU Settlement Scheme has been fully open since 30 March 2019 and at its height Home Office caseworkers were regularly processing up to 20,000 applications a day. The highest number of applications processed in one month was in October 2019 when there were more than 400,000 grants of status.
Timeline:
28 August 2018 – EU Settlement Scheme first tested with a small number of NHS staff
1 November 2018 – Launch of second phase of testing
30 March 2019 – EU Settlement Scheme fully opened
15 August 2019 – One million applications
9 October 2019 – Two million applications
6 February 2020 – Three million applications
8 October 2020 – Four million applications
The Home Office also has a dedicated team of more than 1,500 people working on the EU Settlement Scheme with support provided seven days a week by telephone and by email.
The EU Settlement Scheme uses cutting edge technology and launched the EU Exit: ID Document Check app which allows people to apply from the comfort of their own home in as little as 15 minutes.
The Home Office has also made up to ÂŁ17 million available to organisations across the UK who support the more vulnerable in society. The number of organisations funded has increased from 57 to 72 and includes charities, local authorities and local government associations.
EUSS Team Manager of Newport Mind Association in Wales Tom Finney said:
“We’re pleased to confirm that with Home Office funding we will now be able to provide practical EU Settlement Scheme support to vulnerable EU citizens throughout the whole of Wales.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Chancellor Rishi Sunak join Gemma Connell from the Royal Squadron at RAF Northolt in her 24 hour cycle Challenge to raise money for Great Ormond Street 10 Downing Street. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street
“We’ve already broken-down barriers and reached out to more than 10,000 vulnerable EU citizens living in Wales and we are determined to build on that success.”
Deputy CEO at Advice NI in Northern Ireland Fiona Magee said:
“Advice NI has already helped more than 20,000 people in Northern Ireland to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme and the Home Office funding will allow us to continue this important work with the more vulnerable in society including the elderly, isolated or those who lack IT literacy skills.”
Chief of Mission at International Organization for Migration Dipti Pardeshi said:
“To date, the IOM UK led project has provided EUSS support to over 25,000 individuals in vulnerable situations. People who have been supported include children in care, people who are homeless or rough sleeping, survivors of modern slavery and domestic abuse, as well as people living with disabilities, or facing language, literacy or economic barriers.
“We have been working closely with Local Authorities and our model has expanded the ability to reach out to at-risk migrants. The new Home Office funding will help us to continue such vital work to ensure that no one is left behind”.
Additional support is available for those who do not have the appropriate access, skills or confidence to apply online.
The Home Office has also run two bursts of marketing campaigns, spending ÂŁ4 million across the UK to encourage EU citizens to apply.
To raise awareness of the scheme at a local level, the Home Office held a series of pop-up events across the UK where staff answered questions and helped people to apply in person, with more planned in 2020.
Communication materials have also been translated into 26 EU languages including Polish, Romanian and Italian.
Italians faced some of the strictest lockdown measures in the world when the country became the first in Europe to be overwhelmed by the pandemic earlier in the year…Reports Asian Lite News
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Thursday announced his government’s decision to make wearing of masks mandatory in outdoor spaces in an effort to curb the further spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In his announcement, Conte said that latest measure was required to avoid returning to another economically devastating lockdown in Italy, one of the worst-hit countries in Europe, the BBC reported.
“From now on, masks and protective gear have to be brought with us when we leave our house and worn. We have to wear them all the time unless we are in a situation of continuous isolation,” he was quoted as saying.
Besides outdoor spaces, masks must also be worn in shops, offices, on public transport, and in bars and restaurants when not seated at a table, the Prime Minister further said.
Italians faced some of the strictest lockdown measures in the world when the country became the first in Europe to be overwhelmed by the pandemic earlier in the year.
Although it has managed to keep the virus in check more successfully than many other European countries in recent months, cases in the last 24 hours have surged past the 3,000 mark for the first time since April 24, registering 3,678 new infections, according to the Health Ministry.
On Wednesday, the country also announced compulsory testing for anyone travelling from the UK, Netherlands, Belgium and the Czech Republic.
As of Thursday, the total number of coronavirus cases in Italy increased to more than 334,000, while the death toll stood at 36,061.
Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin with Aava Murto.
Finland PM Marin stepped aside letting Aava Murto to take her position for a day during which the latter met politicians and highlighted women’s rights in technology…Reports Asian Lite News
A 16-year-old teenager, who actively campaigns on climate and human rights issues, became the Prime Minister of Finland for a day, as part of the country’s incumbent leader Sanna Marin’s fight to end gender gap, the media report.
On Wednesday, Marin stepped aside letting Aava Murto to take her position for a day during which the latter met politicians and highlighted women’s rights in technology.
This is the fourth year of Finland’s participation in humanitarian organisation Plan International’s “Girls Takeover” initiative, which allows teenagers from countries from across the globe to step into the shoes of leaders and other sectors for a day.
Aava Murto spoke about girls and technology.
On October 7th Prime Minister @MarinSanna's seat was occupied by 16-year-old Murto for one day, as a part of Girls Takeover event organised by @PlanGlobal. #GirlsTakeover
This year’s focus is on promoting digital skills and technological opportunities for girls, with Kenya, Peru, Sudan and Vietnam among the countries holding their own swaps.
In a speech, Murto said: “It is a pleasure to be speaking here before you today – although, in a way, I wish that I did not have to stand here, that campaigns like the Girls’ Takeover were no longer necessary.
“However, the truth is that we have not yet achieved gender equality – not anywhere on earth. Although we have accomplished a great lot of good in this area, there is still much work that needs to be done.”
Speaking ahead of the event, Marin, who became the world’s youngest Prime Minister when she was sworn in last year at the age of 34, stressed the importance of ensuring technologies are made “accessible to everyone”, reports the BBC.
“They must not deepen the digital divide between countries or within societies.”
Marin is the Finland’s third female premier and leads a centre-left coalition with four other parties – all headed by women, three of whom are under 35.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (Kaya/Xinhua/IANS)
Turkey’s top diplomat called for an urgent dialogue between Ankara and the European Union (EU) to address rising tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, Libya, and developments in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict.
In an interview with Italian news agency Agenzia Nova during his recent visit to Rome, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Çavusoglu said he considered Italy “a strong NATO ally and a balanced partner in regional issues.”
He added, however, that Turkey was disappointed by the outcome of the EU Special Council on October 1-2, which he believed “did not yield the expected results.”
Çavusoglu said that that the summit’s conclusions “were designed again to put the solidarity within the union before international law and equity,” accusing the EU of having been “once more taken hostage by the maximalist demands of Greece and Greek Cypriots.”
Tensions have been running high for months as Greece has disputed Turkey’s rights to energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean, Hurriyet Daily News reported.
Ankara sent out drill ships to explore for energy on its continental shelf, asserting its rights in the region as well as those of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
EU countries have been trying to mediate between Turkey and Greece over their conflicting demands.
Turkey says that Greece’s maritime territory claims in the region, based on small islands near the Turkish coast, are in defiance of the international law.
“Turkey is the most developed and the biggest electricity and gas market in the region,” Çavusoglu said. “It is not possible to establish a functional and fruitful mechanism in the Eastern Mediterranean by ignoring these facts.”
Çavusoglu said there was “an urgent need to normalize our relations with the EU,” noting that Turkey and the EU must have common short-term goals, including more engagement and dialogue.
Addressing the Upper Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Turkish minister stressed that “the only viable solution to the conflict goes through the total withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories in line with the international law.”
He noted that “we need more than just another cease-fire,” calling for “a clear call on Armenia to abandon its expansionism.”
The ongoing clashes began on Sept. 27, when Armenian forces targeted civilian Azerbaijani settlements and military positions in the region, leading to casualties.
Relations between the two former Soviet republics have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Upper Karabakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, an internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan.
The visit aims to strengthen cooperation with international companies and exchanging best experiences and practices to develop the water strategy over the next five years…Reports Asian Lite News
Dr. Engineer Rashid Al Leem, Chairman of the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority, SEWGA, received a French delegation from the Suez Company, which is specialised in the field of water services and the development of desalination units.
The visit aims to strengthen cooperation with international companies and exchanging best experiences and practices to develop the water strategy over the next five years.
Dr. Al Leem confirmed that the authority is continuing to implement a plan to develop water desalination units, transmission and distribution networks, and improve water quality in a number of areas in the Emirate of Sharjah, as part of the important strategic projects implemented by the authority under the directives of Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
He pointed out that the implementation of the water strategy during the next stage depends on the use of the latest global technologies in this vital and important sector, and the provision of modern devices to check water quality and measure any change that may occur to water quality during the transmission and distribution process.
Cyril Corgart, CEO of the French company Suez, said that the company welcomes cooperation with the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority in preparing its strategic plan and development projects.
