World News

New year celebrations were in full flow in parts of the world where 2023 already arrived. The Pacific nations were the first to welcome in the new year, as thousands gathered in Sydney for the Australian city's renowned fireworks display.

New Year 2023 was first welcomed by the easternmost island of Oceania first wit the tiny Pacific island nations of Tonga, Samoa, and Kiribati entered on January 1, 10 am GMT or 3.30 pm IST on December 31.

RnB singer Akon says his much-delayed plans for Akon City - an African metropolis on the Senegalese coast - are "100,000% moving". Although goats are currently grazing on the site, he says that critics will look "super stupid" in the future.

The Smack That singer also assured supporters waiting for refunds from his Token of Appreciation cryptocurrency campaign that they will receive their money back, even if he has to pay them out of his own pocket.

Weather-related flight cancellations and delays that snarled U.S. commercial air traffic over the holiday weekend dragged on through Monday, with Southwest Airlines accounting for the bulk of the lingering disruptions a day after Christmas. More than 3,800 U.S. airline flights were cancelled on Monday, including 2,800 operated by Southwest, or nearly 70% of the carrier's total scheduled for the day, according to the flight tracking service FlightAware.

After two years of lockdowns and travel restrictions, travellers are planning to have lots of fun for New Years.

This New Years’ season is already breaking many records when it comes to hotel bookings. Many popular hotels in many popular city destinations are charging record room nights and are already overbooked. Resorts around the world are in party mood and sold out as well.

California is known for earthquakes. Overnight at 2.34 am the Northern part of the US State was hit by a very strong 6.3 earthquake in a relatively remote region.

A 6.3-strong earthquake was measured 10 Miles WSW from Ferndale, California at 2.34 am in the morning, followed by a 6.00 aftershock.

Dressed in camouflage and combats and with self-defence training under their belts, the Union Island wardens look prepped for battle.

They are in fact on a mission to protect one of the world's tiniest species - one so rare it exists in just 50 hectares (123 acres) in a remote corner of one of the smallest islands in the Caribbean.

At least 38 deaths have now been linked to a severe Arctic freeze that continues to pummel the US and Canada. Officials say 34 people died across the US, with the worst-hit area being the city of Buffalo, in New York state.

Four fatalities occurred in Canada when a bus rolled over on an icy road near the town of Merritt, in the western province of British Columbia. The storm has wreaked havoc for days but power has been steadily restored after earlier blackouts.

It is fair to say that the World Cup in Qatar this year has been defined by controversy like no other tournament before.

From the controversial decision to grant Qatar the privilege of hosting the event despite its poor human rights record to the very last moment when the Emir of Qatar put an Arab cloak on the shoulders of the Argentinian football legend, Lionel Messi, as he was about to lift the trophy on Sunday.

200 rescuers in Austria are working on Christmas day and possibly through the entire night to find 10 missing skiers.

The Western Austrian ski resort region in Lech and Zürs is known as the most spectacular area in the Alps. “The name stands for passion.” the visitors’ website said. Arlberg is known as the cradle of skying.

Further conveying the steadfastness of the American traveller, new industry research shares that today’s global economy continues to impact how and when most Americans will travel – but not if they’ll take a trip.

According to new data, 6 in 10 U.S. adults (58%) plan to take a vacation in the next six months despite inflation, the rising cost of travel and other economic factors.

Three locations in Guam (the U.S. Island territory in Micronesia, in the Western Pacific) are set to display and dazzle the midnight sky and say welcome to the 2023 new year.

The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) is inviting residents and visitors to ring in the new year in the island’s capital city of Hagåtña and the tourist district of Tumon for the return of the New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

The Gulf and the Middle East are becoming a centre for climate change. The Sharm El Sheikh Green initiative by Saudi Arabia in Egypt set the tone this year, and Abu Dhabi in the UAE will continue in 2023.

Climate change also got top coverage at the just concluded WTTC Summit in Riyadh.

Fellow Statians,

The atrocities committed against enslaved people and Africans in the Caribbean, including the Dutch Caribbean, are too many to count.

We know of the long hours our ancestors were forced to work in unforgiving sunshine to enrich their enslavers. We shall never forget the many revolting and abominable acts of cruelty inflicted on our people.

The annual convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) just recently concluded in Lucknow, India.

The just concluded 37th annual convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) held in the ancient-modern city of Lucknow generated much interest and information as 1,000 delegates heard from the Chief Minister Yogi.

Qatar Airways, the Official Airline Partner of FIFA, concluded its FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 journey in style, presenting the medals and individual awards to Argentina after their historic 4-2 victory on penalties over 2018 champions, France. Following a thrilling month of non-stop action and entertainment, the airline operated nearly 14,000 flights, uniting the world in Qatar for the greatest sporting show on Earth.

Africa is a major geopolitical player and boasts some of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

From December 13 to December 15, President Biden will host the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. The three-day Washington event will bring together leaders from across the African continent to discuss bold, practical ways to strengthen ties and advance shared priorities.