World News

In the days since launching at Buckingham Palace, the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay has visited six Commonwealth nations, spanning two continents.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is a tradition that celebrates, connects, and excites communities from across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games. It is now embarking on a 294-day journey, visiting all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth, before returning to the Opening Ceremony of Birmingham 2022 on 28 July 2022.

The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) will be hosting insigHT2021, the region's leading medical travel market intelligence conference, which is set to take place virtually this 16 to 18 November. Themed Forging Resilience, insigHT2021 will focus on how the global medical travel industry can remain resilient in manoeuvring through uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lawmakers in the US have announced that a bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives to declare Diwali a federal holiday.

The landmark legislation is co-sponsored by a number of lawmakers, including Indo-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. Led by New York Congressman Carolyn B Maloney, the festival of lights was supported by The House Foreign Affairs Committee will support, defend and advance on the bill.

Thousands of travel industry professionals from more than 140 countries are preparing to visit WTM London next week (1-3 November) for the largest industry gathering since the pandemic began.

The continuing relaxation of travel rules in the UK and overseas in recent weeks has prompted a surge in exhibitor bookings and buyer registrations because travel to England is now easier.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley sent out a stark warning on the effects of a rise in global temperature on countries like hers.

At the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, PM Mottley encouraged other countries to commit to fighting climate change, as she said: “A two degree rise in temperature would be a death sentence for island nations, due to rising sea levels and more extreme weather.

Shanghai Disneyland has shut down for at least two days after a weekend visitor tested positive for Covid-19 after returning home.

The Chinese theme park was closed yesterday, and will remain so today (Tuesday 2), with all visitors and staff being tested. Health workers in protective suits examined them as fireworks went off around the park's landmark castle.

The Orion will dock at The West Indian Company Limited (WICO) port at 7:30 a.m. as part of its 15-day “West Indies Treasures” cruise, which stops in nine destinations.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Viking Orion to the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said WICO Interim President & CEO Anthony Ottley.

The 7th of November, the 8th edition of CULTOURFAIR will take place, the only international B2B tradeshow worldwide specialized in luxury and high-standing cultural tourism, geared exclusively towards professionals. Held in Madrid, in the frame of the Capital Iberoamericana de la Cultura Gastronómica. 

From the 7th to the 9th of November, at the Hotel VP Plaza de España Design *****, the host and official sponsor of the event, the benchmark for luxury and exclusivity in the capital.

Leaders of the world's 20 major economies have approved a global agreement that will see the profits of large businesses taxed at least 15%.

It follows concern that multinational companies are re-routing their profits through low tax jurisdictions. The pact was agreed by all the leaders attending the G20 summit in Rome.

As world leaders gather for the Cop26 conference in Glasgow for the global environmental summit, Pope Francis has urged them to take radical decisions.

In his message, he said: “Climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic have exposed our deep vulnerability and raised numerous doubts and concerns about our economic systems and the way we organise our societies.

Four new recruits into Azets’ Corporate Finance team have taken the top 10 firm’s Birmingham office to a total of 100 new hires. Lauryn Mayson joins as a one of several new graduates across the Midlands, with Zoe Hacking, Pawan Kandel and Sudip Khatri all joining as Executives.

A bronze cockerel kept at Cambridge University that had been looted in a British raid on what is now Nigeria will be handed back this month. The Benin bronze, known as an ‘okukor’, was given to Jesus College in 1905.

In 2016 it was removed from display and the Legacy of Slavery Working Party (LSWP) recommended it be returned.

Eleven Pablo Picasso artworks that have been on display at a Las Vegas hotel for more than two decades were sold at auction for nearly $110m (£80m).

The works, which were owned by MGM Resorts, featured in the Picasso Restaurant at the Bellagio Hotel.

Given how low fuel prices fell during the initial lockdowns, it’s hard to believe that we’ve ended up here, with petrol prices rising to unprecedented levels.

From the Iraq War, to the financial crisis, to the rise in crude oil prices at the start of last decade, petrol and diesel prices have fluctuated greatly in recent times, but nothing like that is being seeing today.

Australia’s award-winning travel adventure company Aurora Expeditions is calling for applications to join the world-first Antarctic Climate Expedition in 2023, led by renowned oceanographer, marine biologist, explorer and conservationist Dr Sylvia Earle.

This exclusive invitation is open to all that are interested.

Following great anticipation after their safe and successful Cancun, Mexico edition, the promoters of ‘Carnival En’ are gearing up to activate an intimate, premium all-inclusive Caribbean Carnival weekend this December in the picturesque resort town of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The event ‘Carnival En Punta Cana’ is best described as a Hyper-Inclusive Carnival-Infused Vacation Weekend Experience.

With all of the buzz following April 2021’s ‘Carnival En Cancun’ the organizers (known for popular Caribbean Diaspora event staples such as Silent Morning and Water Colours J’ouvert Boat Party) have pulled out all of the stops to bring forth a creative yet authentic Caribbean Carnival experience in a controlled environment complete with all of the beloved elements commonly associated with the festival.