World News

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.

One of Tenerife's most long-awaited festivals, Starmus Festival III, has just unveiled its events programme, including the presence of leading personalities including Prof. Stephen Hawking, Dr. Brian May and many Nobel Prize winners; the launch of the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication; and a 'Sonic Universe' concert by English artist Sarah Brightman and the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra. The Starmus Festival III will take place between 27th June and 2nd July 2016 at the Mare Nostrum Resort complex in Playa de las Américas. 

The Amazon Rainforest is known as the 'Lungs of the Planet'. The lush and tropical South American jungle spreads across over half of the continent and provides the world with 20% of its oxygen. Each year 78 million acres of the Rainforest are cut down – a fact that devastates cruising specialist and wilderness enthusiasts, Aurora Expeditions. And with World Environment Day just around the corner, on the 5th June, it has never been a better time to discuss the important contribution the Amazon makes to our planet.

Golf widows know the feeling all too well – head for an idyllic holiday destination and then they are left alone for hours while their partner enjoys the challenge of a new course. Sports and activities abound in the Caribbean island of Aruba – for those who can resist the lure of white sand beaches and the lapping blue sea. And the choice is so great, some couples might split over who does what. So tourism officials have now drawn up a list of activities for two, so couples can enjoy some get up and go together.

The Ghan train embarked on a record-breaking journey yesterday when it departed Adelaide as Australia's longest passenger train in over a decade. Taking off with 44 carriages and two locomotives, Sunday's Ghan service bound for Darwin stretched a total length of 1096m – more than 200m longer than a standard Ghan service and a staggering 6.5 times the length of Adelaide Oval.

Located at the southern tip of Ari Atoll in the Maldives, Maafushivaru is the idyllic retreat famed for providing peaceful holidays in its beautiful setting, and its inimitable secret; the neighboring private Island, Lonubo.Lonubo invites guests to escape reality and create their own world on the resorts' very own private desert islet (complete with more than a few luxuries).