• As a memorial turns 80, it gets a boost

    As the Thomas Jefferson Memorial turned 80 on April 13, its stewards took steps to ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy it and the beauty of the Tidal Basin where it is situated for decades to come.

    The Tidal Basin, adjacent to the National Mall, is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, attracting huge crowds each spring when its cherry blossom trees — a gift from Japan to the United States — are in bloom. The Jefferson Memorial, dedicated in 1943 to the third U.S. president and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, anchors the site.

  • As cases surge India providing booster shots for priority groups

    India has begun giving booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to priority groups amid a surge in infections.

    Health and frontline workers and people above 60 years old with comorbidities are currently eligible to take the jab. The drive began as India battles a spike in Covid cases fuelled by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

  • Asia's most eligible prince formally marries in 10-day Brunei celebration

    Brunei's Prince Abdul Mateen, lauded online for his good looks and military service, has married his commoner fiancée in a 10-day royal wedding.

  • Astronauts complete rehearsal for historic Nasa SpaceX mission

    Nasa astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken have completed their dress rehearsal for Wednesday's flight to the International Space Station.

    The mission, the first crewed outing from American soil in nine years, will see the pair ride to orbit in a SpaceX Falcon rocket and Crew Dragon capsule.

    It's a demonstration of the new "taxi" service the US space agency will be buying from the Californian firm.

    Lift-off on Wednesday is timed for 16:33 EDT (20:33 GMT / 21:33 BST).

    The weather around the Kennedy Space Center in Florida may have other ideas, however.

    A forecast released on Saturday by the US Air Force 45th Weather Squadron predicted just a 40% chance of favourable conditions come launch time.

    There is a strong possibility the Kennedy complex could see thick cloud, rain and even thunder.

    If controllers are forced to scrub, everyone will come back on Saturday for a second try.

    Hurley and Behnken are now all but done with their preparations.

    The weekend "Dry Dress" rehearsal saw the pair don their made-to-measure spacesuits, walk out to a Tesla, and then make a 6km drive down to Kennedy's famous Launch Complex 39A.

    Their SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket has been sitting erect on the pad since Thursday.

    The men then got in the service tower lift to go up to the access arm gantry and climb into the capsule.

    The run-through gave all launch personnel - not just Hurley and Behnken - the opportunity to remind themselves of what's to come.

    There is huge focus on this mission. Not since the space shuttles were retired in 2011 has America been able to launch its own astronauts. Getting crews to the ISS these past nine years has been a task entrusted solely to Russia and its Soyuz rocket and capsule system.
    Nasa has contracted both SpaceX and aerospace giant Boeing to pick up where the shuttles left off.

    The difference this time is that the agency will not own and operate the vehicles. It will merely be buying "tickets to ride".

    SpaceX and Boeing will be free to sell their services to other space agencies, other companies and even individuals.

    Hurley and Behnken have named their Dragon in the tradition of all previous American crew-ships. They'll reveal that name on Wednesday.

     

  • At least 280 dead in Indian passenger train derails

    Train officials have reported at least 280 people were killed and over 900 injured when the two passenger trains collided in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. Railroad ministry spokesperson, Amitabh Sharma, stated that 10 to 12 coaches of one train derailed, and debris from some of the mangled coaches fell onto a nearby track. It was hit by another passenger train coming from the opposite direction. Up to 3 coaches of the second train also derailed.

  • ATB honours International Day of African Child

    Marking the annual International Day of the African Child, the African Tourism Board had explained the role which tourism plays in the development of African children welfare, directly and indirectly.

    While the relationship between tourism and child welfare is complex, there are several ways in which the tourism industry can contribute to the well-being of children in Africa, African Tourism Board (ATB) President Cuthbert Ncube said through a message. “Tourism is a major contributor to economic growth in many African countries. Increased tourism revenue can lead to more public resources being available for social services, including education, healthcare, and child protection,” Mr. Ncube said.

  • Atlanta Caribbean Carnival attracted major crowds for 2022

    This past Memorial Day Weekend all eyes were on the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival. The metropolitan city centre of Georgia’s state capital was filled with the rhythms of Caribbean music, the scents of island cuisine and the undeniable energy of an enthusiastic audience who came out after a two year cultural withdrawal.

  • Atlanta Caribbean Carnival to put Caribbean culture on full display this May

    Hot on the heels of the recent Trinidad & Tobago ‘Taste of Carnival’, the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Bandleaders Association (ACCBA) is preparing to serve a whole buffet of Caribbean culture this May in the center of Georgia’s energetic capital city with the 2022 edition of the beloved ‘Atlanta Caribbean Carnival’.

    Atlanta Caribbean Carnival’ which has been in existence for 35 years takes place from May 27th-30th 2022 and is already gearing up to be a major highlight of the Memorial Day Weekend (the unofficial start of the US Summer festival season).

  • Atlanta Caribbean Carnival unites as One Festival for 2024

    After a period of anticipation and excitement, the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival proudly announces its return as a unified festival for 2024.

  • Atlas Renewable Energy leaps into wind power market with newest customer, Enel Generación Chile S.A.

    Atlas Renewable Energy (Atlas) marks a new milestone with the development of its first wind power project with a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Enel Generación Chile S.A. for 1.3 GWh/year. The portfolio's three wind projects total 417 MW throughout Chile, helping accelerate its clean energy transition.

  • Audi Arabia launches the human capability initiative – a conference to empower human capability

    Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and the Chair of the Human Capability Development Program Committee, one of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 Realisation Programs, the first edition of the Human Capability Initiative) HCI (will be held during the period 28-29 February 2024, at King Abdulaziz International Convention Centre in Riyadh.

  • Audio-visual filming in Tenerife leaves a new record expenditure of 101 million euros

    Last year, Tenerife hosted a total of 122 film shoots which generated more than 9,600 jobs and an expenditure of 101 million euros by production companies on the island. An economic impact, which, according to the president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Pedro Martín, "represents a new historic record compared to 2021, with 40 million euros more this year".

  • Aurora Anguilla names new Golf Club GM

    Kevin Carty, a native of Anguilla, will join the upmarket Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club as general manager on September 5, 2022.

    Carty joins the Salamander Hotels & Resorts family from the executive management team at Belmond Cap Juluca, where he currently serves as the Resident Manager.

  • Aurora Expeditions calling for registrations of interest for world-first Antarctic Climate Expedition

    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.

  • Australia consumer watchdog files lawsuit against Qantas Airways

    Australia’sconsumer watchdog wants to fine flag carrier Qantas Airways a record amount for selling tickets on thousands of cancelled flights.

  • Australia leads Commonwealth tributes to Prince Philip

    In a statement issued from Canberra, Mr Morrison said: "For nearly 80 years, Prince Philip served his Crown, his country and the Commonwealth.

    "His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was, in the words of Her Majesty, her 'strength and stay'. He embodied a generation that we will never see again.

    "Beginning as a naval cadet in 1939, he served in war and in peace. When Her Majesty ascended the throne, The Duke ended his military service and became her constant support.

    "Prince Philip was no stranger to Australia, having visited our country on more than 20 occasions. Through his service to the Commonwealth he presided as patron or president of nearly 50 organisations in Australia. Given his own service, Prince Philip also had a strong connection with the Australian Defence Force.

    "For 65 years, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme has encouraged over 775,000 young Australians to explore their leadership potential. Forty thousand young Australians are currently participating in the program. Australians send our love and deepest condolences to her Majesty and all the Royal family.

    “The Commonwealth family joins together in sorrow and thanksgiving for the loss and life of Prince Philip. God bless from all here in Australia.

    "Further details about Australia's remembrance of Prince Philip will be announced over the coming days. Flags will be lowered in honour of His Royal Highness."

    Other Commonwealth leaders left comments with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying: "My thoughts are with the British people and the Royal Family on the passing away of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

    "He had a distinguished career in the military and was at the forefront of many community service initiatives. May his soul Rest in Peace!"

    Taoiseach of Ireland Micheál Martin said he was "saddened to hear of the death of HRH, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Our thoughts and prayers are with Queen Elizabeth and the people of the United Kingdom at this time".

    New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said: "Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen at this profoundly sad time. On behalf of the New Zealand people and the Government, I would like to express my sincere condolences to Her Majesty and to all the Royal Family."

  • Australia returning 14 artworks of disputed provenance to India

    The National Gallery of Australia is to return 14 works of art to India that are suspected of having been stolen, looted or exported illegally.

  • Australia settles lawsuit over welfare scheme criticised as racist

    Australia's government will pay A$2m (£1.1m; $1.4m) in compensation to hundreds of Aboriginal people who said a welfare scheme was racist.

    The "work for the dole" scheme required people in remote outback communities to work up to 25 hours a week to receive income benefits.

  • Australian court overturns teenagers' climate change case against minister

    The Australian government has won an appeal against a ruling that it has a duty of care to protect children from harm caused by climate change.

    Last year, eight teenagers and an 87-year-old nun convinced a court that the government had a legal duty to children when assessing fossil fuel projects. The decision was hailed as a world first, but it has been successfully challenged by the environment minister.

  • Author offers timeless life lessons to visitors at 40th Sharjah International Book Fair

    “It is okay to fail but not okay to quit,” said Chris Gardner to a packed audience at the 40th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), while he laid out the blueprint for actioning a dream into reality.

    Discussing his new book, Permission to Dream, with Sally Mousa, the international best-selling author, entrepreneur and award-winning film producer, said: “Failure can be your best friend. You are going to learn things from failure that you cannot from success. The key lies in not making the same mistake twice.”