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UK’s new points-based visa system to come into force from January 1, 2021

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced the launch of the UK's new points-based visa system. This new system comes in the bid to attract the ‘brightest and the best’ from around the world, including from India. Reportedly, this new system has been put into place to reduce the number of cheap and low-skilled workers coming into the country. This enhanced system will come into force from January 1, 2021, i.e., during the end of transition period after the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU) on January 31. This is also the time that will formally end the free movement of people within the economic bloc for the UK as the non-member. Latest reports suggest that the new post-Brexit system will apply equally to both EU and non-EU countries like India. Further, the system will be entirely points based, i.e., points based on qualifications, specific skills, salaries, and profession. And visas will be awarded to only those who have amassed enough points. While launching the said point-based visa system, the UK Home Secretary said, “Today is a historic moment for the whole country. We're ending free movement, taking back control of our borders and delivering on the people's priorities by introducing a new UK points-based immigration system, which will bring overall migration numbers down." She also added that the system will help to attract the brightest and best from across the country, thereby boosting the economy, communities, and unleash the country’s full potential. Apart from this, foreign workers interested in coming to the United Kingdom need to be able to speak in English and also have an offer of a skilled job with an ‘approved sponsor’. These two criteria would fetch them 50 points. To know more about the point-based system, here are some of the criteria that are mandatory and will fetch you points. · 10 points if a migrant speaks English (mandatory) · 20 points if an individual has a job, offer or sponsor (mandatory) · 20 points if the job has the proper skill level (mandatory) · 0 points if a job’s salary ranges from £20,480 to £23,039** · 10 points if a job’s salary is between £23,040 and £25,599 · 20 points if the salary for a job is over £25,600 · 20 points for a job that’s on the shortage occupation list · 10 points if a UK visa applicant has a PhD degree · 20 points if an individual’s PhD degree is in science, technology, maths or engineering

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Uttarakhand to roll out special policy to promote spiritual eco-zones

Uttarakhand Government might soon come up with a special policy to boost and promote the ‘spiritual eco-zones’ in the state. And to put this plan into action, the state government has already identified locations to set up such zones, a senior official in the know-how stated. The government will also be hosting a two-day Uttarakhand Wellness Summit 2020 in April in Dehradun to promote this region as a wellness destination apart from a tourist hotspot. Referring to this development, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh said that they are working on a policy to develop many spiritual eco-zones across the state, which is also popularly known as Devbhoomi. He added that Uttarakhand being blessed with spiritual diversities, the government now wants to explore this potential for overall development of the state. The idea behind creating such special eco-zones is to create special ecosystem for panchakarma, yoga, ayurvedic practices, and capitalise on the global wellness economy, which is, as per the records, growing at 6.4 per cent annually. The Chief Secretary further mentioned that initially, the primary locations, such as Tehri, Rishikesh, Gangotri, Almora, and Yumunotri area, among others have been identified, which will be developed into such zones. He also added that the wellness summit that will be held on April 17 and 18 will also be a step in that direction, i.e., to promote the state as a wellness destination and attract investments in these zones. Singh mentioned, “We will be taking suggestions from investors during the summit and accordingly fine tune the policy. Meanwhile, the government is working towards improving connectivity in the state.

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These Countries Just Restricted Travel From South Korea

Fourteen countries and a U.S. territory placed tighter entry restrictions on people traveling from South Korea after a sharp jump in coronavirus cases prompted the government in Seoul to raise its infectious-disease alert to the highest level. Measures include banning entry for people who have been in South Korea in the past 14 days and mandatory health checks, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The number of infections in South Korea rose to 763 as of 9 a.m. local time, up from 602 Sunday, the most for anywhere outside mainland China. Seven people have died in the country from the virus.There are no restrictions on travel within Korea, though the government has urged people in Daegu or those who visited the virus hot-spot within the past 14 days to self quarantine for at least two weeks. Israel, Bahrain, Jordan Banning entry for people who traveled to South Korea within 14 days. Kiribati Travelers who have been to South Korea within 14 days must submit medical documents to prove they aren’t infected. Samoa Travelers who visited or transited via South Korea need to self quarantine in a country with no virus cases and must submit medical documents within three days before entering the country. Brunei Designates South Korea as a high-risk country. Travelers are required to monitor their health for 14 days after arriving. U.K. Travelers who visited South Korea need to self quarantine for 14 days if they show symptoms of the disease and will be required to report to authorities. Turkmenistan Travelers from countries with confirmed virus cases will be taken for medical checks. Anyone showing symptoms will be quarantined for as long as seven days at a hospital. Kazakhstan Travelers from South Korea will be under medical monitoring for 24 days, which includes 10 days of visits by medical officials and follow-up phone calls. Macau Macau has designated South Korea a high-risk country. Travelers who visited within 14 days will be given medical checks. Oman Travelers who visited South Korea need to be quarantined for 14 days. Ethiopia and Qatar Travelers who visited South Korea will be required to self quarantine for 14 days. Uganda People who traveled or transited via South Korea need 14 days of self quarantine if they show symptoms. U.S. The U.S. Department of State issued a level 2 travel advisory. While it tells people to take extra care when traveling to South Korea, it hasn’t put restrictions on people coming from the country to the U.S. Travelers to American Samoa will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days in Hawaii if they visited South Korea within 14 days and need to submit medical documents three days before entering the territory.

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Odisha: This eco-tourism project has become the apple of tourists’ eyes

The Satkosia Sands Resort at Badmul is in the news for a very good reason. They are the new entry in the tourism circuit, and has been ranked as the second most visited destination after Similipal. This is an eco-tourism project in Satkosia Tiger Reserve that has, over a short period of time, turned into a centre of attraction for photographers, nature lovers, conservationists, and bird waters. What has caught the attention of many is that the project has recorded a footfall of as many as 4500 travellers, and had grossed around INR 1 crore in the last financial year. Reports state that the project was initially started in 2016 on the sand bed of Mahanadi river, with three tented accommodations and an investment of INR 2 lakh. Since then, it has grown by leaps and bounds, and now houses around 19 accommodations. Along with registering growth in terms of earning, this project has also provided direct employment to 34 villagers. Further, the locals involved in managing the project have been well-trained to work in different capacities, such as cooks, managers, eco-guides, service assistants, boatman, and others. There are several highlights of Satkosia Sands Resorts at Badmul that is turning it into an apple of tourists’ eye. To keep the visitors engaged, there are various programmes in the nature camp, such as Walk in the Jungle, Know your Birds, and Poachers turned Protectors. Then, there is also canopy walk, birding, farm visits, bathing ghats in the river, sports, library, and trekking for the visitors. What started as the first-ever eco-tourism project in this part of the country, has now become one of the successful models of eco-tourisms in the state. Referring to this, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Eco-tourism) Anshu Pragyan Das said that cycling on the forest roads along Mahanadi river and boating in Satkosia gorge are the favourite thrills for tourists visiting this destination. Reportedly, because of this project, significant improvement in the lifestyle of the villagers have been noted, including the fact that the village is now free from open defecation and boasts of a plastic-free environment.

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Coronavirus: air travel demand 'will fall for first time in 11 years'

The spread of the coronavirus will result in the first fall in global air travel in more than a decade, the international airline industry body has predicted. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that falling passenger demand as a result of the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus would cost the airline industry $29.3bn (£23.7bn) in lost revenues this year. In its initial assessment of the impact, the organisation said it expected global demand for air travel to fall by 4.7% in 2020, the first overall decline since the global financial crisis in 2008-09. “Airlines are making difficult decisions to cut capacity and in some cases routes. Lower fuel costs will help offset some of the lost revenue,” said Alexandre de Juniac, director general and chief executive of IATA. “This will be a very tough year for airlines.” The vast majority of the financial impact will hit airlines in the Asia Pacific region, where revenues will fall by $27.8bn, with the bulk borne by carriers registered in China. Iata estimates that losses in China’s domestic market will hit $12.8bn. Carriers outside Asia Pacific are forecast to lose about $1.5bn this year, “assuming the loss of demand is limited to markets linked to China”. IATA said: “The sharp downturn in demand as a result of Covid-19 will have a financial impact on airlines – severe for those particularly exposed to the China market. These estimates are based on a scenario where Covid-19 has a similar V-shaped impact on demand as was experienced during Sars. That was characterised by a six-month period with a sharp decline followed by an equally quick recovery.” De Juniac warned that IATA’s assessment was based on the coronavirus public health emergency not spreading beyond China. “If it spreads more widely to Asia Pacific markets then impacts on airlines from other regions would be larger,” he said. IATA said it was “premature” to estimate what the revenue loss would mean for the global profitability of the airline industry. Airlines including Qantas and Air France-KLM have cancelled flights to and from China and have warned of weaker demand for travel in Asia. The Franco-Dutch group Air France-KLM expects the Covid-19 outbreak to wipe between €150 and €200m (£130 and £170m) off its earnings.

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SpaceX will initially send 4 tourists into the orbit

SpaceX have proclaimed about a new collaboration to send four tourists into the orbit than private citizens before them. By 2022, this mission could take place and easily cost over $100 million. The company signed the partnership with Space Adventures, based in Washington and it acted as an intermediary to send eight space tourists to the International Space Station (ISS) through Russian Soyuz rockets. The first of these was Dennis Tito. He paid $20 million for an eight hour stay on the ISS back in 2001. The last to go was Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte, in 2009. The new tourists would be carried on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule. This capsule was developed to transport NASA astronauts and is scheduled to make its first crewed flight in the forthcoming months. “Our goal is to try to get to about two to three times the height of the space station,” Space Adventure’s president Tom Shelley informed AFP. The ISS orbits at 400 kilometers above the surface of Earth, however, the exact altitude of the Space Adventures mission would be determined by SpaceX, added Shelley. The mission could take place by late 2021 at the earliest, though “probably more likely is sometime in 2022,” he said. The design of the capsule was done in a way that would take astronauts from the surface to the ISS. Just nine square meters in volume. There are no private areas to sleep wash or use the bathroom. The duration of the mission will depend on what the customers are looking for, said Shelley. When questioned about the cost, Shelley replied: “It’s not cheap.” The cost of introducing a Falcon 9 rocket is $62 million, as per publicly available statistics then there will be the cost of building a fresh Dragon capsule. Could it exceed $100 million? “Your assessment is correct, I can’t comment specifically on the numbers, but yeah those are the cost components,” he said. “We have a pretty good network of high net worth individuals around the world, many of whom we know are interested in spaceflight,” he added.

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