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Germany is considering an application to drill for natural gas in a protected marine site in the North Sea. One-Dyas BV has received permission to drill horizontally from a Dutch platform into German territory, but activist groups are taking legal action against the application. Germany, which has reduced its reliance on Russian gas, will have to balance its energy needs with the ecological concerns of the proposed drilling site, which is located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drilling project has raised concerns about potential harm to the marine environment and its impact on Germany's climate policy. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the issue of overtourism and its various components. Overtourism is described as four separate problems: overcrowding of popular sites, visitors disrespecting cultural norms, partygoers causing damage, and locals not benefiting from tourism. The article highlights three initiatives that are being tested to address these issues: redefining a destination's "must-sees" to include lesser-visited attractions, spreading tourism revenue to local communities through sustainable experiences, and creating behavioral incentives for tourists to make sustainable choices. These initiatives have the potential to impact an ever-growing share of travelers and provide solutions to the problems associated with overtourism. [Extracted from the article]

Saudi Arabia is aiming to develop its own film industry as part of its Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy. The country has established AlUla Studios, a state-of-the-art film studio in the city of AlUla, which offers a picturesque backdrop for filmmakers. To attract international filmmakers, Saudi Arabia has introduced incentives such as a 40% cash rebate and a $100 million Saudi Film Fund. However, foreign production teams must navigate cultural and political restrictions, and the country is still developing the necessary infrastructure and local talent. Despite these challenges, Saudi Arabia's film industry is gaining momentum and has the potential for significant growth. [Extracted from the article]

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is at risk of annual coral bleaching due to the highest temperatures in the surrounding waters in at least 400 years, according to a study by Australian universities. The Coral Sea has experienced extreme heat in recent years, with 2020, 2017, and this year being the warmest in four centuries. Scientists warn that the world's largest coral system is under threat from more frequent bleaching events if ocean temperatures continue to rise. To prevent this, urgent action is needed to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement and transition to renewable energy sources. The Great Barrier Reef is a significant economic asset, generating billions of dollars from tourism and other industries. [Extracted from the article]

Indonesia's Tourism Minister, Sandiaga Uno, wants to attract Chinese tourists to destinations beyond Bali. Uno acknowledges that Bali is still the top choice for Chinese tourists, but believes that younger travelers are interested in experiencing serenity, spirituality, and sustainability in addition to sun, sea, and sand. The government is developing "Bali experiences" on other islands to attract 1.3 million Chinese visitors this year. Indonesia is currently losing out to Thailand and Singapore, which offer visa waivers for short visits, but Uno plans to expand visa waivers to 20 more nationalities, including China, the US, and India. Additionally, Uno expects tourists to spend more, with an increase from an average of $900 per person before the pandemic to $1,600 now. [Extracted from the article]

A newly constructed residential building in suburban Tokyo will be demolished after locals complained that it blocked their views of Mt. Fuji. The 10-story apartment building, located on Fujimi Street, was set to be handed over to buyers but will now be torn down. The builder, Sekisui House Ltd., issued an apology and will compensate buyers' costs and help arrange alternative housing. Views of Mt. Fuji are highly valued in Japan, and the right of tourists to see them has been a subject of debate. [Extracted from the article]

A newly constructed residential building in suburban Tokyo will be demolished after locals complained that it blocked their views of Mt. Fuji. The 10-story apartment building, located on Fujimi Street, will be torn down before the apartments were due to be handed over to buyers. The builder, Sekisui House Ltd., issued an apology and stated that the view from Fujimi Street should take priority. The company will compensate buyers' costs and assist with finding alternative housing. Views of Mt. Fuji are highly valued in Japan, and the right of tourists to see them has been a subject of debate. [Extracted from the article]

Algeria, one of the Arab world's last holdouts to global vacationers, is slowly opening up to tourism with a new visa program. Unlike neighboring countries like Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco, Algeria has not prioritized tourism despite its natural and cultural attractions. However, a new initiative rolled out in January 2023 has made it easier for adventurous travelers to visit the Sahara desert. While the process is still challenging, the program has gained traction, with 10,000 visas issued to visit the Sahara in the year to February 2024. The government aims to attract 10 million tourists by 2030. [Extracted from the article]

Ma Liqian, the wife of tech billionaire Forrest Li, is set to purchase a mansion in a prestigious residential area in Singapore for $31 million. The property is located on Gallop Road and sits on a 1,552 square-meter plot of land. The luxury property market in Singapore has been slow, but there have been a few recent transactions, including the sale of a mansion at Cornwall Gardens for $36 million and another mansion at Ford Avenue for $39.5 million. Li's wealth primarily comes from his stake in Sea Ltd., Southeast Asia's largest internet company, and he currently has a net worth of $3.8 billion. [Extracted from the article]

CYNK, a Nairobi-based platform, has partnered with the United Nations agency, UNESCO, to explore selling biodiversity credit futures based on famous nature areas. The platform will work with Regenerative Resources on a pilot project to sell credits from a project in the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The aim is to generate funds for ecological restoration. The sale of biodiversity credits, which are backed by the UN, could be used to finance conservation efforts. However, some critics are cautious about the use of these securities as they may allow companies to appear environmentally friendly without making substantial changes to their practices. The project in El Vizcaino could serve as a model for similar programs at other UNESCO World Heritage Sites. [Extracted from the article]

Vietnamese officials have been instructed to strengthen environmental protections in Quang Ninh Province, where a controversial construction project near Ha Long Bay has sparked public outrage. The Chairman of the Quang Ninh Province People's Council, Nguyen Xuan Ky, has called for improved preservation management of the Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay ecosystems and biodiversity. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has also ordered an investigation into the project, which includes the construction of villas, hotels, and other buildings near the World Heritage Site. The construction company involved has been fined for failing to comply with environmental regulations. [Extracted from the article]

The $63 billion project at Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site north-west of Riyadh that was the ancestral home of the ruling family, is set to feature dozens of hotels and thousands of homes. The Diriyah Gate Development Authority spent $7.5 billion last year building out infrastructure at the 14 square-kilometer project, Chief Executive Officer Jerry Inzerillo said in an interview. [Extracted from the article]

Both Zambia and Zimbabwe, who already share the Kariba hydropower facility further east on the Zambezi, at times have struggled to meet their power needs. (Bloomberg) -- An agency of the United Nations has cleared Zambia and Zimbabwe to build a $5 billion hydropower dam downstream from Victoria Falls, a Unesco World Heritage Site, the authority overseeing its construction said. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Morocco authorities searched for survivors as aid offers poured in from around the world following a powerful earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people and injured hundreds of others. Morocco's National Institute of Geophysics estimated the quake at 7, the online news site Hespress reported. [Extracted from the article]

Morocco's National Institute of Geophysics estimated the quake at 7, the online news site Hespress reported. (Bloomberg) -- Morocco authorities searched for survivors as aid offers poured in from around the world following a powerful earthquake that killed more than 1,000 people and injured hundreds of others. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- A powerful earthquake struck Morocco late Friday night, killing over 1,000 people, injuring hundreds of others and damaging buildings and historic landmarks, including in the tourism hub of Marrakech. Morocco's National Institute of Geophysics estimated the quake at 7, the online news site Hespress reported. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- A powerful earthquake struck Morocco late Friday night, killing hundreds and damaging buildings and historic landmarks, including in the tourism hub of Marrakech. The earthquake measured 6.8 on the Richter scale and was centered near the town of Oukaïmedene in the High Atlas mountain range, roughly 75 kilometers (47 miles) southeast of Marrakech, the US Geological Survey said on its website. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- A powerful earthquake struck Morocco late Friday night, killing hundreds and damaging buildings and historic landmarks in cities including the tourism hub of Marrakech. Morocco's Interior Ministry said at least 632 people died in provinces near the quake, and another 329 injured were sent to hospitals for treatment, the Associated Press reported. [Extracted from the article]

Morocco's Interior Ministry said early Saturday that at least 296 people died in provinces near the quake, and another 153 injured were sent to hospitals for treatment, the Associated Press reported. (Bloomberg) -- A powerful earthquake struck Morocco late Friday night, killing hundreds of people and damaging buildings and historic landmarks in cities including the tourism hub of Marrakech. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- These are just some of the latest examples of tourists behaving badly: A group of German guests toppled a 150-year-old statue at a villa in northern Italy. Tourists always get a bad rap, but governments are pushing back more forcefully than ever on unruly visitors, deploying a range of tactics to control misbehavior while putting future tourists on notice. [Extracted from the article]

The recovery companies are working on a plan of action for towing the ship but "the final port is not yet known", Rijkswaterstaat said in the statement. It was en route to Port Said, Egypt, and Singapore after a recent stop in the German port of Bremerhaven, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. (Bloomberg) -- The cargo ship that caught on fire with thousands of cars on board near the Netherlands is showing signs that the blaze is dying down almost a week after it started. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The burning ship carrying thousands of automobiles was towed Monday to a safer location off the coast of the Netherlands. It was en route to Port Said, Egypt, and Singapore after a recent stop in the German port of Bremerhaven, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Dutch authorities began towing a ship carrying thousands of automobiles days after it started burning off the coast of the Netherlands. Read More: Burning Ship's Operator Says Almost 500 EVs Are on Board Rijkswaterstaat couldn't specify the exact time the ship will arrive at its temporary destination. It was en route to Port Said, Egypt, and Singapore after a recent stop in the German port of Bremerhaven, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Dutch authorities began towing a ship carrying thousands of automobiles days after it started burning off the coast of the Netherlands. Read More: Burning Ship's Operator Says Almost 500 EVs Are on Board Rijkswaterstaat couldn't specify the exact time the ship will arrive at its temporary destination. It was en route to Port Said, Egypt, and Singapore after a recent stop in the German port of Bremerhaven, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. [Extracted from the article]

It was en route to Port Said, Egypt, and Singapore after a recent stop in the German port of Bremerhaven, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for the Hyperdrive newsletter, your guide to the future of cars, from reporters around the world. [Extracted from the article]

"Thousands of tourists come to Zimbabwe every year to experience the beauty and wildlife and especially the gem that is Mana Pools", African Bush Camps said in the letter. (Bloomberg) -- The operators of safari camps charging more than $1,000 a night have lodged objections against a planned oil exploration program in Zimbabwe's premier wildlife area, Mana Pools. [Extracted from the article]

The new study compared deposits at Bolt's Farm with other fossil-bearing deposits in the region, which made it possible to redefine the suggested age of the rat species. (Bloomberg) -- Rock deposits in a cave system inhabited by early human ancestors in South Africa may be almost 2 million years younger than previously thought, a new study has found, which may cast doubt over whether humankind may have originated in the country. [Extracted from the article]

The new study compared deposits at Bolt's Farm with other fossil-bearing deposits in the region, which made it possible to redefine the suggested age of the rat species. (Bloomberg) -- Rock deposits in a cave system inhabited by early human ancestors in South Africa may be almost 2 million years younger than previously thought, a new study has found, which may cast doubt over whether humankind may have originated in the country. [Extracted from the article]

The new study compared deposits at Bolt's Farm with other fossil-bearing deposits in the region, which made it possible to redefine the suggested age of the rat species. (Bloomberg) -- Rock deposits in a cave system inhabited by early human ancestors in South Africa may be almost 2 million years younger than previously thought, a new study has found, which may cast doubt over whether humankind may have originated in the country. [Extracted from the article]

"On the banks of the Zambezi, great cliffs overhang the river and the floodplains", Unesco says, describing the site. Shalom Mining Ltd. has applied to explore for oil and gas in Mana Pools, which has been designated as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, according to a notice in the Zimbabwean Government Gazette. [Extracted from the article]

Shalom Mining Ltd. has applied to explore for oil and gas in Mana Pools, which has been designated as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, according to a notice in the Zimbabwean Government Gazette. "On the banks of the Zambezi, great cliffs overhang the river and the floodplains", Unesco says, describing the site. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Three people on board a sightseeing helicopter died after the aircraft crashed near the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay in Northern Vietnam Wednesday afternoon, according to a statement on the government's website. More than 200 people, 30 ships and boats joined search-and-rescue efforts, the government of Quang Ninh province said in a Thursday morning statement. [Extracted from the article]

Marine heatwaves have triggered five mass bleaching events since 1998, while the United Nations warned last year about the climate change-related impacts on the reef. (Bloomberg) -- Hotter-than-average ocean temperatures are causing fresh damage to Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef and prompting concerns over a new mass bleaching event that could further destroy the world's biggest living structure. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The European Commission warned it would penalize Spain if the country carries on with plans to extract more water from one of Europe's largest wetlands, a sign of a tougher stance on environmental preservation. The European Union's executive arm is ready to act "swiftly" and with "all the means available" if Spain fails to uphold a ruling issued last year that demanded the country protect the area, according to an emailed statement. [Extracted from the article]

Japan's cabinet decided Tuesday the government would seek a Unesco World Heritage List designation for the mine on the island of Sado, which started operations about four centuries ago and closed in 1989. (Bloomberg) -- A dispute over the history of a 400-year-old gold mine has touched off fresh animosity between Japan and South Korea, just as the Biden administration needs their cooperation to confront new North Korean weapons that threaten the U.S. allies. [Extracted from the article]

But there's another side to the transformation; Prince Mohammed has jailed dissidents, silenced critics and is accused by the U.S. of ordering the murder of critical Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, a charge Saudi Arabia denies. (Bloomberg) -- Saudi Arabia's decades-long ban on cinemas only ended in 2018, but the desert kingdom already has Hollywood ambitions. [Extracted from the article]

The remaining rhinos in the delta will be moved to sanctuaries around the country to allow their populations to recover, Wildlife and National Parks Director Kabelo Senyatso said in a statement late Friday. (Bloomberg) -- The Botswana government is moving rhinos out of the Okavango Delta after a surge in poaching that has seen 92 of the endangered animals killed in the past two years, compared to just seven in 2010 to 2018. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: 8243133Z; ASIA; AU; BUSINESS; CLIMATE; CMD; COS; GEN; GOV; HEA; INDUSTRIES; NRG; POL; SCIENCE; WORLD EN 8243133Z ASIA AU BUSINESS CLIMATE CMD COS GEN GOV HEA INDUSTRIES NRG POL SCIENCE WORLD Unesco members voted against the label following intense lobbying by Australian officials QWP5GJT1UM15 (Bloomberg) -- Australia succeeded in efforts to prevent the Great Barrier Reef from being listed as endangered by a United Nations organization after a diplomacy blitz. "The climate crisis threatening the reef cannot be addressed by Australia alone, but the dangerous thing is a collective inaction by all other states", Eva Hauge, senior advisor to the Norwegian Environment Agency, told the Unesco committee on Friday. [Extracted from the article]

8243133Z, ALLTOP, ASIA, AU, BUSINESS, CLIMATE, COS, GEN, GOV, HEA, INDUSTRIES, POL, SCIENCE, WORLD, WWTOP, WWTOPAS, WWTOPEU Keywords: 8243133Z; ALLTOP; ASIA; AU; BUSINESS; CLIMATE; COS; GEN; GOV; HEA; INDUSTRIES; POL; SCIENCE; WORLD; WWTOP; WWTOPAS; WWTOPEU EN 8243133Z ALLTOP ASIA AU BUSINESS CLIMATE COS GEN GOV HEA INDUSTRIES POL SCIENCE WORLD WWTOP WWTOPAS WWTOPEU Unesco members voted against the label following intense lobbying by Australian officials QWP3IDDWX2Q8 (Bloomberg) -- Australia succeeded in efforts to prevent the Great Barrier Reef from being listed as endangered by a United Nations organization after a diplomacy blitz. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: 2539Z@GR; EUROPE; GEN; GOV; WORLD EN 2539Z@GR EUROPE GEN GOV WORLD Italy's government approved measures to ban large cruise ships in Venice's historic lagoon to protect the site from over-tourism. QW70X2T0AFB6 (Bloomberg) -- Italy's government approved measures to ban large cruise ships in Venice's historic lagoon to protect the site from over-tourism. [Extracted from the article]

The government said in March that it would ban cruise ships and large commercial vessels from the lagoon as soon as a new docking port further from the city is built. Keywords: 2539Z@GR; EUROPE; GEN; GOV; WORLD EN 2539Z@GR EUROPE GEN GOV WORLD Italy's government will move quickly with plans to ban large cruise ships in Venice's historic lagoon to protect the site from over-tourism, according to people familiar with the matter. [Extracted from the article]

ASIA, BUSINESS, CONS, CONSD, COS, DRG, GOV, HEA, INDUSTRIES, LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL, WORLD Keywords: ASIA; BUSINESS; CONS; CONSD; COS; DRG; GOV; HEA; INDUSTRIES; LIFESTYLE; TRAVEL; WORLD EN ASIA BUSINESS CONS CONSD COS DRG GOV HEA INDUSTRIES LIFESTYLE TRAVEL WORLD Vietnam's northern province of Quang Ninh, home to UNESCO World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay, will reduce required quarantine times to seven days from 21 for vaccinated foreign travelers, and those who have recovered from Covid-19, in a July trial program, VnExpress news website reported. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Australia's government will oppose newefforts to categorize the Great Barrier Reef asendangered and facing mounting risks as a result ofclimate change. Unesco will ask a meeting next month to endorse plans todesignate the World Heritage Site as in danger and torequest Australia does more with international partnersto improve conservation. [Extracted from the article]

Amazon Expansion While Amazon Web Services has been present in sub-Saharan Africa for some time, with clients including Johannesburg-based lender Absa Group Ltd. and Nigerian payments firm Flutterwave Inc., the online-retail operation has yet to build a significant presence. Amazon.com Inc.'s planned new Africa headquarters in Cape Town is to draw demonstrations Wednesday as indigenous people protest its construction on a heritage site. [Extracted from the article]

Cavusoglou referred to a Turkish minority in Greece with Dendias stating that the only minority that Greece recognizes - according to the Lausanne treaty - is the Muslim one. (Bloomberg) -- A meeting to foster reconciliation between estranged neighbors went dramatically off-script on Thursday as the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey argued live on television. [Extracted from the article]

Things started off well as Greece's Nikolaos Dendias, in his first visit to Turkey in two years, met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu. The island was divided in 1974 after Turkey captured the northern third with the declared purpose of protecting a Turkish-speaking minority following an Athens-backed coup by supporters of union with Greece. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- South Korea warned that Japan risked reigniting tensions if it didn't acknowledge past forced labor abuses, saying Seoul was prepared to build a regional coalition to hold Tokyo to account for its colonial behavior. Why Japan and South Korea Have Their Own Trade War: QuickTake Although most South Koreans believe Japan hasn't sufficiently apologized for its actions, many Japanese see past statements of regret as sufficient. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The amount of ice in the Alps has shrunk 17% since the turn of the century, highlighting the severity of climate change as countries grapple with how to slow global warming while also tackling a virus epidemic. One example cited was the Great Aletsch Glacier, a Unesco World Heritage Site and the largest ice field in the Alps. Hotter temperatures by 2100 could slash global economic output by more than 20%, according to Oxford Economics, and the way the impact will be distributed threatens to turn climate change into an enormous driver of worldwide inequality. [Extracted from the article]