World News

Despite the portrayal of heroism in movies and television, it’s worth remembering that not all superheroes wear capes or fly through the air to fight archvillains intent on ruling the Earth.

World Humanitarian Day, celebrated annually August 19, was established by the United Nations General Assembly to honour humanitarians worldwide who work with little fanfare in conflict zones, refugee resettlement centres, areas hit by disasters or even urban soup kitchens. The following are examples of heroes from the United States:

The Gambia Experience, in partnership with conservation organisation *CAPED Gambia (Community Action Platform on Environment and Development), is supporting a tree planting project in Sintet. Providing vital funds through its Carbon Offset Scheme, the tour operator is assisting the planting of over 7000 highly endangered indigenous fruit and nut tree species.

The project which commenced on July 29th aims to make a significant impact on the environment, food security, and entrepreneurship within the region’s vulnerable rural communities. The Gambia Experience has a longstanding partnership with CAPED Gambia and has previously provided funding to support mangrove restoration over 15 hectares of degraded wetland within the villages of Kalimu and Soma.

The day that World War II effectively ended is commonly known as V-J Day, or Victory over Japan Day, when Imperial Japan surrendered to the Allies.

Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945 (which was August 14 in the Americas and Eastern Pacific Islands). September 2, 1945, was the day the formal surrender ceremony took place in Tokyo Bay, aboard the battle vessel USS Missouri, at the war’s end.

Yesterday afternoon, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell participated in a White House media brief to provide an update on the federal response to wildfires in Hawaii.

Criswell called into the briefing while on the ground in Hawaii where she’s been surveying the damages with Gov. Josh Green. She announced that FEMA is now offering two programs to provide immediate resources to wildfire survivors.

Currently, 44 children are receiving care from Save a Child’s Heart in Israel in a partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and its Israel-based representation and management company, TAL Aviation. Being the largest African carrier, Ethiopian Airlines has emerged as a significant player in the world of aviation.

Though flying is its core business, programs such as “Save A Child’s Heart” and “Back to Origins” are just two of many socially conscious programs that enhance the social responsibility of this Ethopia-based African Star Alliance member airline.

More than a dozen federal agencies and departments are mobilised to assist state, county, nonprofit and private sector partners to help the people of Hawaii with recent devastating wildfires.

Personnel from FEMA, federal agencies and voluntary organizations are arriving daily to Hawaii to support active response and initial recovery efforts. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is in Hawaii today with U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell and Administrator Isabella Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration to meet with Gov. Josh Green and other officials to assess the damage.

The government of The Bahamas is delighted to announce a major partnership with HUB350 and the Kanata North Business Association (KNBA). This collaboration forms part of a broader vision to leverage technology and innovation to transform The Bahamas into a leading hub in tourism and climate change resilience. 

The pivotal role in brokering this transformative partnership was played by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Aviation, and Investments, Chester Cooper, Minister of State, Ginger Moxey, and the Bahamas High Commission, under the leadership of High Commissioner V. Alfred Gray and First Secretary Nahaja Black. Their combined effort and strategic negotiation have resulted in an alliance that aims to enhance The Bahamas’ technological capacity and promote sustainable development. 

The Embassy of Nepal dispatched 40 wooden items that were provided by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to Nepal. Qatar Airways transported the artifacts. The Embassy plans to deliver them to the Department of Archaeology in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 12, 2023.

The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confiscated these unlawfully taken Nepalese artifacts in Hawaii during August 2010. In 2011, the Nepalese government formally made a request to the United States government for the repatriation of these items.

Eighty people were confirmed to have been killed by wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui, officials say. There are fears the numbers will rise further, as hundreds are still uncontactable.

Firefighters have been trying to contain fires in several areas, including the historic town of Lahaina which has been utterly devastated. Hawaii's attorney general has announced a "comprehensive review" into how the authorities responded to the wildfires.

Amari Kuala Lumpur is delighted to announce that it has been named the winner of the Luxury Lifestyle Award for Best Luxury City Hotel in Malaysia for 2023. Operated by ONYX Hospitality Group, a reputable force in Southeast Asia's hospitality industry with over five decades of management experience, Amari Kuala Lumpur is a shining example of the company's commitment to excellence.

The Luxury Lifestyle Awards is a global awards programme that recognises excellence across the whole range of industry sectors. The awards are held annually and are judged by an independent panel of experts.

A weather pattern known as El Niño is expected to strengthen in the coming weeks and months, potentially worsening extreme weather and the global food crisis. Driven by above-average water temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean, an El Niño pattern can cause varying effects on global weather.

While some countries may receive above-average rainfall and flooding, others could suffer crop failures and drought. U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security Cary Fowler said that an El Niño pattern has already formed this year.

Firefighters in Portugal battled to contain wildfires engulfing thousands of hectares amid soaring temperatures.

Around 800 personnel attended a fire near the southern town of Odemira overnight, with more than 1,400 people having to evacuate and at least nine firefighters being injured. Temperatures in excess of 40C (104F) are expected to hit much of the Iberian peninsula this week.

Three major fires that scorched hundreds of hectares in Spain over the weekend have been brought under control, but weather alerts remain in place across much of the country. Temperatures of 46.4C (116F), the hottest of the year so far, were recorded in Santarém.

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), with support from the Investing in Forest and Protected Area for Climate Smart Development (IFPA-CD) project graduated 80 youths in practical skills to improve their livelihoods. In a statement issued by Hangi Bashir, Head of Communication, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the graduation ceremony was held at Seyeya Courts Hotel in Kagadi town.

The Caribbean’s longest running workboat regatta, the Carriacou Regatta Festival, under the theme ‘Timeless Culture on the Sea.’ The regatta, which got its start in 1965 by the late J. Linton Rigg, brings the story of Carriacou’s rich boat building history to life.

Each year in August, the Carriacou Regatta Festival features races for multiple classes of workboats, including the highly anticipated deck sloop around the island race. Along with the action on the sea, there are onshore activities for all to enjoy, such as donkey racing and walking the greasy pole – both traditional activities to the festival. Evening entertainment and delicious cuisine complete the Carriacou Regatta experience.

According to a Turkish official, the recent excavation of the ancient city of Aizanoi’s agora in western Turkey is set to bring fresh insights into the city’s trade life. Kutahya Governor Ali Celik mentioned that the excavation work in the area has gained significant momentum lately.

Governor Celik revealed that they will uncover a significant number of shops in the ancient bazaar, called Agora, this year. The excavation work has already commenced, and efforts in this area have been intensified. Specifically, they expect to fully excavate and study five shops in the agora by the end of this year.

Marking their 61st anniversary, from Kingston to Canada, the USA to the UK and many other countries worldwide, the black, gold and green flags were flying high and proud in acknowledgement, Jamaican Independence Day saw natives and others, throughout the diaspora, celebrating and honouring the occasion in many ways.