World News

The United States has rejoined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) after a nearly 5-year absence, becoming its 194th member state. UNESCO helps protect the world’s cultural and national heritage by designating World Heritage sites. It also plays a key role in promoting international cooperation in education, science, culture, technology and freedom of the press.

Following its launch at the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) in 2021, the Zero Hunger Private Sector Pledge (“Pledge”) has mobilized an additional USD 215 million in commitments from the private sector. In total, the Pledge has mobilised nearly USD 560 million from 46 companies towards the zero-hunger goal. To ensure the integrity of the Pledge, it is also announcing the launch of its new reporting framework and first reporting process.

Africa's largest economy, Nigeria, is in the process of introducing new banknotes for the first time in more than 20 years. The move is an attempt to reignite confidence in the currency, the naira, which is under severe pressure. With inflation at more than 20%, people are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. It is leading to the largest exodus of young professionals in years.

Fashion designer Oroma Cookey Gam left Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, with her young family a year ago for the UK capital, London. Her husband and business partner Osione, an artist, was granted a Global Talent visa, which enables leaders in academia, arts and culture, as well as digital technology to work in the UK.

Jamaica’s Opposition Leader Mark Golding was a trustee or director of at least five non-profits – one in the U.K., where his father was born, and four in Jamaica.

But while the U.K.-based organisation has been in good standing with the charity authority there, all four in Jamaica were outstanding on their filings at the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) for multiple years. One was so delinquent - for more than 15 years - the COJ recently removed it from the register of companies.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the recent visit by CARICOM’s Eminent Persons Group (EPG) to Haiti, which met with various Haitian leaders, regrettably did not yield any conclusive results.

The EPG is made up former prime ministers Perry Christie, from The Bahamas;  Dr. Kenny Anthony of Saint Lucia, and Bruce Golding of Jamaica. They visited Haiti from July 12 to 15 and met with Haitian stakeholders to support dialogue on finding a solution to the ongoing crises facing the country, elections and governance.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial, alongside the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting, COP28 President Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber urged countries to join the global cooling pledge, a partnership between the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the COP28 Presidency, announced earlier in the year.

The Pentagon says it considers army private Travis King to be "absent without leave" in North Korea after he crossed the border during a tour. Officials also admitted they had no idea of his condition or where he was being held. Earlier the White House said the US had tried to contact Pyongyang through "multiple channels" but had had no response.

Sophia Duleep Singh, a princess who fought for women's voting rights in the UK, remains a little-known figure in India, the country of her ancestry. In 1910, she was part of a delegation of 300 suffragettes who marched towards the parliament in London, seeking an audience with then Prime Minister HH Asquith.

But Asquith refused to meet the women and the demonstration turned violent as policemen and men in the crowd outside the building beat them. Many of the demonstrators were seriously injured and the day came to be called Black Friday in the UK.

Forbes magazine has highlighted Ana Carolina Briones Pereyra, Secretary General of the Central American Tourism Promotion Agency (CATA) as one of the 100 most powerful women in Central America, in its 2023 issue. The prestigious list is made up of diverse business leaders, engineers, scientists, athletes, activists, politicians and even futurists, whose work is leading the processes of equality and inclusion in the region.

Trinidad & Tobago-based wedding expert and Editor-in-Chief of TrinidadWeddings.com Simone Sant-Ghuran, has released her wedding planning guide book for engaged couples, on Amazon entitled ‘It's Knot Difficult: A guide to wedding planning Your Way with a little help from a pro!’ The book's release on Amazon comes just in time for the start of the bridal season in T&T as well as in the wider Caribbean region. 

The Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, along with members of the Ministry’s Senior Executive Management Team and Bahamas family of Tourism Partners, are deeply saddened to learn of the passing on Friday past of Jill Stewart, wife of Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International.

Dusit Hotels and Resorts under Dusit International is making its Nepal debut with the opening of Dusit Princess Kathmandu and Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort Dhulikhel, start welcoming guests on 17th as well as due 24th July respectively.

Dusit Princess Kathmandu is located in the heart of the capital’s vibrant Lazimpat neighbourhood, a short walk from Narayanhiti Palace Museum and just 18 minutes by car from Tribhuvan International Airport.

Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex has partnered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to become a Certified Autism Centre. This collaboration aims to ensure that autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals can visit with confidence.

“This certification is just one way we are working to ensure that Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex is accessible to each of our guests,” said Therrin Protze, COO, Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex. “The extensive autism sensitivity and awareness training our staff has undergone has already impacted the way we interact with all families and children, but especially those with autism and other sensory sensitivities.”

Targeting more business and tourism opportunities in Africa, Iran has committed to promoting ties with African countries. With restrictions in place from the Western world Iran describes the African continent as the “Land of Opportunities”.

Iranian sees economic strengths and human resources in Africa. Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had rated Africa as the rich continent and best for investments for the Islamic Republic of Iran. This was released after the President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi visited Africa.

Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith says that her country will continue to work constructively within CARICOM (the Caribbean Community) in the best interest of the country and region. Speaking at the CARICOM 50 Flag Raising Ceremony at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, in Kingston, Senator Johnson Smith said CARICOM is the oldest surviving integration movement in the developing world.

India just launched its third Moon mission, aiming to be the first to land near its little-explored south pole, as the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft with an orbiter, lander and a rover lifted off from Sriharikota space centre. The lander is due to reach the Moon on 23-24 August, and if successful, India will be only the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, after the US, the former Soviet Union and China.