World News

Populations of African elephants are being depleted at concerning rates, with fewer than 450,000 remaining. Poaching and habitat loss have sent numbers into serious decline. Malawi's recent successes in anti-poaching and management of human- wildlife conflict have led to a population surplus in two of the country's 9 protected areas, Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve.

Organisers of the Nigerian Uncelebrated Awards UK have extended the deadline for the submission of nominations for another two weeks to July 17 in response to the late flurry of entries over the last few days. Due to take place on September 24 at the Mayfair Banqueting Suite in east London, the event will be a classy gala dinner that will attract community leaders, guests from Nigeria and high commission officials.

Indigenous tourism experiences continue to be one of the most popular activities for visitors to NSW with more than 328,000 international and domestic visitors participating in an Aboriginal tourism experience. Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said NAIDOC Week, an event held across Australia from 3 to 10 July, provided a great opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge NSW's significant Indigenous history, culture and achievements.

On June 24th2016, the very day the results of the EU referendum were made official, France inaugurated its first Elizabethan theatre at the Entente Cordiale cultural centre in Hardelot, Pas-de-Calais. Seating 388, the wooden building brings together the main architectural characteristics of the English Elizabethan theatre, with all the requirements of a 21st century cultural facility.

Lisbon has strengthened its position as one of the world's top destinations for international meetings and congresses by moving into the top ten in the annual International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) city rankings for 2015. The Portuguese capital climbed three places to No9 in the top 20 list of cities by hosting 145 association meetings last year, an impressive increase of 30% compared to 2014.

Since Derek the wombat hit international stardom, he's been frantically busy. He's an adolescent now and being a savvy business-wombat he has a new line of tea towels and t-shirts out. If that's not enough to keep this Flinders Island local run off his paws, he's the proud big brother of orphan-siblings April and May. Derek rose to fame when captured on video frolicking across his local beach. It was a day like any other for the eight-month-old wombat joey. But those sandy tracks led him to worldwide celebrity when his high-paced canter went viral.

Based on current trends, 69 million children will die from mostly preventable causes, 167 million children will live in poverty, and 750 million women will have been married as children by 2030, the target date for the Sustainable Development Goals – unless the world focuses more on the plight of its most disadvantaged children, according to a UNICEF report released today.

Electoral commissions from thirty-nine countries have welcomed the announcement of a new Commonwealth compendium of good practice to assist member countries in delivering fair, credible and inclusive elections. The compendium, which draws upon the expertise and experiences of election commissioners from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe and the Pacific, was unveiled at a major international conference in Port of Spain convened by the Commonwealth Secretariat.

With snow falling for the start of the 2016 NSW Ski Season, Snowy Mountains chalets, hostels, hotels and lodges plan to welcome skiers and snowboarders as they hit the slopes to enjoy a variety of winter holidays, from budget to ski-luxe. NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Mr Stuart Ayres said NSW is home to Australia's five highest peaks including Mt Kosciuszko, and four snow resorts, making the Snowy Mountains the perfect location for a winter break with family and friends.

Launching this June is M Social Singapore, a new lifestyle design hotel situated along the historic and picturesque Singapore River, overlooking the vibrant Robertson Quay enclave. The work of world-renowned designer Philippe Starck, the new hotel emphasises community experience in a contemporary yet casual setting, featuring 293 guestrooms, a restaurant and bar and rooftop pool.

Climbers to Mt. Rwenzori will now have a newer challenge as Uganda Wildlife Authority opens a new trail. The Bukurungu trail was identified by the Rwenzori Ranges Guides and Escorts Association over four years ago, as an alternative to the present trail climbers are using.  George Businge, the warden for the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, says this adds a new trail to the existing Central Circuit through Mihunga, Kilembe Trail, and Kakuka Trail.

The Jamaica Diaspora Northeast Regional Conference is being held Friday, June 10, 2016, 8am – 6pm and June 11, 2016, 9am – 3pm at the JFK Hilton Hotel 144-02 135th Avenue Jamaica New York 11436. Panel Experts at the conference will speak on Diaspora Voting, Trade & Investment, Immigration & Deportation, Role of the Church, Future Leaders, Health Care, Education, Public Safety, Social Work Panel, and Making the Transition from Jamaica to the USA.

With the summer holidays just around the corner, new research* has exposed worrying disparities between the perceived and the real costs of holiday healthcare, as well as confusion over what the EHIC card actually entitles travellers to. In light of the findings, HolidayExtras.com warns that many holidaymakers are potentially exposing themselves to crippling financial costs in the event of an accident or illness while away.

An article on lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) travel in the Caribbean has copped the top award at the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)’s Caribbean Travel Media Awards programme. The article by Joe Pike of Travel Agent magazine won the Best of the Best award at today’s awards luncheon at the Marriott Marquis in New York, part of the programme for Caribbean Week New York organized by the CTO.

This palatial work of art – inspired by respected Thai architect Charupan Wiriyawiwatt of Hong Kong-based Naga Concepts – mixes elements of classic Thai architecture and a dazzling collection of contemporary art with an ultra–luxury design approach.  Pamper your soul in seclusion and privacy at Villa Yin. Situated on Kamala headland's water edge, this spectacular half-acre site overlooks the breathtaking turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea.