OCTOBER 2025
St. Kitts & Nevis mark ‘A Sustainable Future’ at 42nd Anniversary celebrations
St. Kitts & Nevis mark ‘A Sustainable Future’ at 42nd Anniversary celebrations
A Feast of Light: Everest Inn Blackheath celebrates
Blackheath’smuch-lovedEverest
Inn is set to sparkle this autumn with the return of its spectacular Diwali celebrations on Monday 13th andTuesday 14th Octoberan event that has become a highlight of the local social calendar.
Since opening in London, in 2005, the family-run restaurant hasbuiltaloyalfollowingforits award-winning Nepalese cuisine and vibrant cultural showcases.
Thisyear’sDiwalialsoknownas Tihar or Deepawali promises to be one of its most dazzling yet, following overwhelming demand fromthecommunity.
Guests will step into a restaurant transformed with vivid colours, glowing candles and shimmering lights, perfectly capturing Diwali’s spirit of hope, joy and togetherness.Theeveningbegins withchampagneand
TheHowardLeaderInterview
The second ‘International Day of Birmingham’ (IDOB), featuring comedian Joe Lycett, was held in thecityastributestoanallianceof places called Birmingham around the world comprised of events yesterday, which included the raising of a 'United States of Birmingham' flag in Victoria Square,intheUK’sown.
The comedian, who last year presented TV programme Joe Lycett's United States of Birmingham, made a balcony appearance, before events which includea6kguidedrunningtourof the Midlands city's "quirkiest landmarks".Someotherlandmarks included the Library of Birmingham and Kings Heath High Street, which were illuminatedintheIDOBcolours.
As part of a so-called ‘Flashbab’, an"AlrightBab"chantwasledby
Lord Mayor Councillor Zafar Iqbal, who went on to say: “Last year, we made history with the inaugural International Day of Birmingham.
As part of a so-called ‘Flashbab’, an"AlrightBab"chantwasledby
Lord Mayor Councillor Zafar Iqbal, who went on to say: “Last year, we made history with the inaugural International Day of Birmingham.
“Fromthebrassbandparadetothe hoisting of the United States of Birmingham flag, it was a joyful celebration of Brummie pride.” It was followed by a procession down Colmore Row with special guestsandattheflagraising.
Theeveningscheduleincludedthe headline event featuring historian Prof Carl Chinn hosting a screeningofTellySavalasLooksat Birmingham and the first episode of Lycett's series at The Old Rep Theatre, which was then followed by a Q&A with the comedian, director Nicola Silk and Brummie historian Randell H Spackman fromBirminghaminPennsylvania.
Last year, Lycett travelled to 18 locations in NorthAmerica and a "treaty that joined them" was signed,hesaid.IntheUS,people "werejustsocharmingand
welcomingeverywhere",hesaid.
The comedian said: "There was loads happening in Digbeth, then these events in the evening, the Flashbab, lots of stuff for the family." There was also a 6kilometre running tour around the citywithbuildingsbeinglitupto celebratethesecond‘International DayofBirmingham’.
NaginaKhan,whoheads up SWFITE (the Supporting Women from IsolationtoEmpowerment) team at BIC, explains: “This collaboration between Bangladeshi Islamic Centre and SandwellAquaticsCentre has had an incredibly positive impact on our community,especiallyfor AsianMuslimwomenwho haveoftenfacedcultural, religious, and practical barriers in accessing mainstream leisure facilities.
“For many of our ladiesthishasbeen theirfirstopportunity tolearnorimprove theirswimmingskills inasettingthatfully respects their modestyandcultural values. Beyond physical health, the sessionshavehelped toreducefeelingsof isolation by providing a welcomingspacefor women to come together, socialise, andbuildsupportive networks.
TransPennineExpress(TPE)haswelcomedanewgroupofgraduates ontoitscareer-launchingprogramme.
Designed to give rising talent hands-on experience across the business, the scheme aims to shape the next generation of leaders in the rail industry. The graduates will play an important role in supporting TPE’s ambition to deliver excellent journeys for customerswhilelearningfromexperiencedcolleaguesacrossarange ofspecialistareas.
This year’s intake includes Shayan Asif in engineering, Hamshika Tirupathi in finance and audit, Nevaeh Dew in data & insights, and Megan Taylor in major projects. Over the coming months, the graduates will rotate through placements, gaining a breadth of experienceandcontributingtokeyprojectsthatwillshapethefuture oftherailway.
Lindsay Penney, Early Careers Manager said: “We’re delighted towelcomeournewgraduatestoTPE.
“They represent the next generation of rail leaders, and their passion, energy and fresh ideas will be vital as we continue to transform our services for customers. Investing in people is at the heart of what we do, and our graduate programme gives talented individuals the chance to grow their careers while helpingusshapethefutureoftherailway.”
YoucanlearnmoreaboutcareersontheTPEwebsite.
Participants will presentresearchand innovative perspectives on the future of Caribbean tourism, fostering critical thinking, communication skills, and a deeper understandingofthe sector.
SharonBanfield-Bovell, CTO’s Director of ResourceMobilization and Development, highlighted the program’ssignificance, saying:“Thisinitiative transcends a simple competition.
Inaddition,students willattendaTourism Youth Congress MasterClassledby Ed Limon, CEO of Winged Whale Media,apioneering XR/AIstudiofocused onimmersivemedia and virtual tourism innovation.Theywill also participate in “Level Up: A Teen Career Launchpad WorkshopforWork, Life & Leadership”, facilitatedbyDavina Layne of Your CorporateImage.
Last year, Keyana Warner of Nevis captured top honoursatthe20th CTO Tropical Shipping Regional Tourism Youth Congress in the CaymanIslands.This year promises another dynamic showcase as young leadersdemonstrate their passion for shapingtheregion’s mostvitalindustry.
The Congress is sponsoredbyBreeze Travel Solutions, CarnivalCorporation & plc, Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx),Marketplace Excellence (MPE), and Winged Whale Media,reinforcingits role as a key platform for empowering Caribbean youth throughmentorship, exposure,andactive participation in the tourismsector.
On September 21, Bhai SahibJiaddressedahighlevelpanelsessionentitled “SpiritualUnityforPeace and Humanity” at the World Trade Centre, Moscow. The session brought together religious leaders, philosophers, and public figures to explore how moral and spiritual values can serve as a foundation for global harmony,cooperation,and sustainabledevelopment. DuringtheAssembly,Bhai Sahib Ji was presented with the inaugural World PublicRecognitionAward “For Service to Humanity”,honouringhis exceptional contributions to peace, humanitarian cooperation, and selfless service to humanity’s ideals
Aspeople–youngandold–turnedouttowitness the armed and unarmed forces, civic organisations, and students from all public schools perform precisiondrillsduringtheMarchPastandInspection of the Parade, the prime minister outlined various projects which have been accomplished, which include the expansion of water infrastructure, road rehabilitation, renewable energy initiatives, and othercapitalprojects.
As they are now striving towards becoming a republic, St Kitts and Nevis gained their independenceonSeptember19,1983.
The Earth,Wind & Fire Experience
2026 UK tour dates announced
The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience
2026 UK tour dates announced
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Guests will step into a restaurant transformed with vivid colours, glowing candles and shimmering lights, perfectly capturing Diwali’s spiritofhope,joyandtogetherness.
Theeveningbeginswithchampagne and gourmet canapés, alongside traditional tokens of welcome: womenwillreceiveaceremonialTika and Pote necklace, while men are honouredwithaNepaliTopi,aproud symbolofheritage.
The celebrations continue with a candlelitthree-courseNepalesefeast, complemented by unlimited fine wines and premium beers. To complete the experience, live performancesfromtraditionalDiwali dancers
will fi l the room with movement, musicandfestiveenergy.
“Diwali is one of the most important festivals in our culture –it’s about light, community and sharing joy,” said Yadav Bhandari, ownerofEverestInnBlackheath.
“We are delighted to welcome our friends, family and neighbours to celebrate with us once again.”With limited spaces available, this is set to be one of the most sought-after eventsinBlackheaththisOctober.
IN CONVERSATION WITH DEE BURROWES
TheModernPressureCooker
What makes the conversation urgent today is not only the prevalenceofmentalhealthissues butalsothecontextinwhichthey arearising.Theworldhasbecome a pressure cooker of stressors.
Workplace Strain: Employees are working longer hours, often in toxic environments where productivity is valued over wellbeing.Theglorificationofburnout asabadgeofhonourleaveslittle spaceforvulnerability.
SocialMediaInfluence:Inaworld of constant scrolling, people are bombardedwithcuratedperfection of ideal lifestyles, flawless appearances and exaggerated success. This endless comparison has eroded self-esteem, particularly among young people, whonowtietheirworthto“likes” and validation. Economic Pressures: Inflation, unstable job markets, and rising living costs have amplified feelings of hopelessness.Thefearoffinancial insecurityhauntsmillions,fuelling anxietyanddespair.
Isolation in a Connected World: Ironically, while technology has connectedusglobally,manyreport feeling lonelier than ever. Superficial online connections often fail to replace genuine humanbonds.
Duringhalftimeatarecent preseason football game between the National Football League’s (NFL) Washington Commanders andCincinnatiBengals,four youth flag football teams tookthefieldtoscrimmage. The halftime exhibition featured secondary school teenagers from nearby Montgomery County, Maryland. When the Paint Branch High School team walkedthesametunnelthat theCommanderseruptfrom to take the field at home games, the teenagers’faces litup.
