World News

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday approved an eighth vaccine against COVID-19, which follows a slight uptick in new cases globally. COVAXIN, made by Indian company Bharat Biotech, has received WHO emergency use listing (EUL), meaning it could soon be available to millions worldwide. 

The EUL process assesses the quality, safety and efficacy of vaccines and is a prerequisite for their inclusion in the global solidarity initiative, COVAX.

Peter McHugh, a partner and specialist in construction, property and engineering, particularly in the green energy sector, at national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP, looks at how polluted our water is and what we can do to combat it.

The Environmental Bill currently going through the House of Lords places a duty on government to publish a plan by September 2022 to reduce sewerage discharge from storm overflows.

Former US president Barack Obama has called on young people to "stay angry" in the fight against climate change at the COP26 summit by urged them to apply political pressure to make a change, but warned they would need to accept compromises along the way.

Mr Obama said the world is nowhere near able to avoid a future climate catastrophe and criticised Donald Trump's hostility toward climate science.

Marília Mendonça, one of Brazil's most popular contemporary singers, has been killed in a plane crash - officials say.

Four other people - her uncle, her producer and two crew members - also died in the accident in a rural area in south-eastern Minas Gerais state.

Indians across the world celebrated the Diwali festival amid the ongoing concerns over the Covid pandemic and air pollution.

Celebrated typically by social gatherings, plus sharing food gifts with family and friends, many lit oil lamps or candles to symbolize the victory of light over darkness, as well as fireworks, which was set off as part of the celebrations.

Greta Thunberg told a mass rally in Glasgow that the COP26 climate summit has been a "failure". The Swedish activist had earlier joined thousands of young people - including striking school pupils - for a march through the city. She addressed the crowd, saying: "Immediate and drastic cuts to emissions are needed.

British Transport Police (BTP) Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi QPM has offered a fulsome apology to Britain's African heritage community for the trauma it suffered, during the reign of terror by rogue police officer DS Derek Ridgewell and colleagues, particularly in the 1970s.

“I am sincerely sorry for the trauma suffered by the British African community through the criminal actions of former police officer DS Derek Ridgewell who worked in BTP during the 1960s and 70s,” the Chief Constable stated.

An ambitious project to construct a giant pyramid and time capsule, inspired by the COP15 climate summit in 2009, has moved a step closer with significant interest being shown by West African nation Senegal.

The Earth Pyramid project, aimed at promoting peace and sustainability through the creation of an iconic structure that reflects the lives of the entire human population, could generate up to $14 billion for social and environmental charities.

Some of the world’s leading experts in the areas of wealth, investment management and financial services will be headlining the CISI’s Global Wealth Summit series, with the Africa Wealth Summit 16 November, China Wealth Summit 18 November and the London Wealth Summit 23 November 2021.

World class speakers from Africa, China, US and the UK will share their thoughts on the issues and trends ahead for the profession.

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.