World News

The Pentagon says it considers army private Travis King to be "absent without leave" in North Korea after he crossed the border during a tour. Officials also admitted they had no idea of his condition or where he was being held. Earlier the White House said the US had tried to contact Pyongyang through "multiple channels" but had had no response.

Sophia Duleep Singh, a princess who fought for women's voting rights in the UK, remains a little-known figure in India, the country of her ancestry. In 1910, she was part of a delegation of 300 suffragettes who marched towards the parliament in London, seeking an audience with then Prime Minister HH Asquith.

But Asquith refused to meet the women and the demonstration turned violent as policemen and men in the crowd outside the building beat them. Many of the demonstrators were seriously injured and the day came to be called Black Friday in the UK.

Forbes magazine has highlighted Ana Carolina Briones Pereyra, Secretary General of the Central American Tourism Promotion Agency (CATA) as one of the 100 most powerful women in Central America, in its 2023 issue. The prestigious list is made up of diverse business leaders, engineers, scientists, athletes, activists, politicians and even futurists, whose work is leading the processes of equality and inclusion in the region.

Trinidad & Tobago-based wedding expert and Editor-in-Chief of TrinidadWeddings.com Simone Sant-Ghuran, has released her wedding planning guide book for engaged couples, on Amazon entitled ‘It's Knot Difficult: A guide to wedding planning Your Way with a little help from a pro!’ The book's release on Amazon comes just in time for the start of the bridal season in T&T as well as in the wider Caribbean region. 

The Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, along with members of the Ministry’s Senior Executive Management Team and Bahamas family of Tourism Partners, are deeply saddened to learn of the passing on Friday past of Jill Stewart, wife of Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International.

Dusit Hotels and Resorts under Dusit International is making its Nepal debut with the opening of Dusit Princess Kathmandu and Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort Dhulikhel, start welcoming guests on 17th as well as due 24th July respectively.

Dusit Princess Kathmandu is located in the heart of the capital’s vibrant Lazimpat neighbourhood, a short walk from Narayanhiti Palace Museum and just 18 minutes by car from Tribhuvan International Airport.

Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex has partnered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to become a Certified Autism Centre. This collaboration aims to ensure that autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals can visit with confidence.

“This certification is just one way we are working to ensure that Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex is accessible to each of our guests,” said Therrin Protze, COO, Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex. “The extensive autism sensitivity and awareness training our staff has undergone has already impacted the way we interact with all families and children, but especially those with autism and other sensory sensitivities.”

Targeting more business and tourism opportunities in Africa, Iran has committed to promoting ties with African countries. With restrictions in place from the Western world Iran describes the African continent as the “Land of Opportunities”.

Iranian sees economic strengths and human resources in Africa. Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had rated Africa as the rich continent and best for investments for the Islamic Republic of Iran. This was released after the President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi visited Africa.

Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith says that her country will continue to work constructively within CARICOM (the Caribbean Community) in the best interest of the country and region. Speaking at the CARICOM 50 Flag Raising Ceremony at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, in Kingston, Senator Johnson Smith said CARICOM is the oldest surviving integration movement in the developing world.

India just launched its third Moon mission, aiming to be the first to land near its little-explored south pole, as the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft with an orbiter, lander and a rover lifted off from Sriharikota space centre. The lander is due to reach the Moon on 23-24 August, and if successful, India will be only the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, after the US, the former Soviet Union and China.

Afrobeats superstar, Ayra Starr, announced via social media that she will be bringing her World Tour to Barbados for the highly anticipated Barbados Food and Rum Festival this October. It is the only Caribbean island featured on the tour schedule.

The Nigerian performer, who has taken the world by storm with her hit songs ‘Rush’, ‘Bloody Samaritan’ and others, recently celebrated her birthday with friends in Barbados. Now she is returning to take the stage at the island’s famous Festival which runs from October 19-22, 2023.

Red alerts were issued for 16 cities across Italy as extreme heat continued to affect southern Europe. The alerts, which indicate risks even for healthy people, apply to tourist hotspots including Rome, Florence, and Bologna for the coming days.

The heatwave has already lasted longer than usual and night-time temperatures have remained high. More high temperatures are expected in Europe this week as another heatwave approaches.

Today marks Bastille Day, the day at the start of the French Revolution in 1789 when the French people stormed the Bastille, a Parisian prison that embodied the injustice of the Bourbon monarchy.

Soon after, the French people gave the Marquis de Lafayette, who had helped the United States gain independence from Great Britain, the key to the Bastille as a gesture of good faith, entrusting him to protect France’s newly won liberties.

If you have an emergency in a toilet you better be in Hong Kong attending an event at he Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is not only ready for more world-class conventions, but it will also roll out a new AI Life Sense Alert System in 61 accessible toilets.

In 2020, Irene Mositol often stayed up until the early hours of the morning to complete training for her participation in the U.S. Department of State’s Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE).

Living in the rural community of Kampung Bundu Tuhan, Malaysia, Mositol lacked consistent internet service and studied when her connection was strongest.

Jamaica’s energy ministry released the country’s first electric vehicle policy as part of the island’s push to increase energy security, diversify supply and decarbonise.

The roadmap’s main goals are the development of an enabling regulatory environment, deployment of efficient charging infrastructure, establishment of guidelines related to standards and batteries, training and public engagement. The policy highlights penetration targets established in the Strategic Framework for Electric Mobility, with 12% of electric vehicles being privately owned by 2030 and 16% being public transport.