Conquerors: when Portugal forged the first Global Empire

              Roger Crowley’s Conquerors: explains vividly how Portugal seized the Indian Ocean and forged the First Global Empire. In the 15th century the greatest maritime feat was Christopher Columbus’s first crossing of the Atlantic in 1492, who took 71 days to sail the 4000 miles to Bahamas. Five years later…

Jeremy Corbyn wins the Labour leadership

  Jeremy Corbyn, The Islington North MP has been elected the Labour party’s new leader by a landslide, as je got almost 60% of more than 400,000 votes cast, trouncing his rivals Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall. He was swept to victory on a wave of enthusiasm for his anti-austerity message and promise…

Crane Collapse kills 107 in Mecca

In the Muslim holy city of Mecca, after heavy rain and winds exceeding 51mph (83kmph), a crane has collapsed  at 17:23 local time (14:23 GMT) on the Grand Mosque killing 107 and injuring 240 0thers, days before the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Parts of the came tumbling down through collapsed ceiling in on section of the…

Each parish should welcome a refugee family says Pope

As a result of the news on refugees coming into Europe over 2,000 Britons have already offered to give a place to stay to asylum seekers.  There is a website which was set up by Zoe Fritz who has said “My heart has sung at the extraordinary generosity shown.”  Charities have also received a large…

Whisky kept in space improves its flavour.

Almost four years ago a vial of unmatured malt was sent to the International Space Station.  Now back on earth it has been tasted by Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardberg’s director of distilling who said, “when I nosed and tasted the space samples, it became clear that much more of Ardbeg’s smoky, phenolic character shone through…

India seeks Saudi help in alleged Diplomatic rape investigation

Two Nepali women, aged 30 and 50 working as maids at his home near the Indian capital Delhi, say they were starved and sexually abused by him and other Saudi nationals. India has urged Saudi Arabia to cooperate in investigations into rape allegations against a diplomat. The women returned to Nepal on 10th September 2015.…

Two British born IS fighters killed in UK drone attacks in Syria

In what is seen as the first independent British military action in Syria, two British born IS jihadists were killed in a precision attack conducted by remotely piloted aircraft, commonly referred to as ‘Drones’ on Aug 21 in the Syrian city of Raqqa. The British Prime Minister David Cameron announced about the air strike on…

Storm rips through City of Joso

  The City of Joso, North of the capital Tokyo, was hit by a wall of water after the Kinugawa river burst its banks. Helicopter rescue teams plucked people from rooftops. Eight people are still missing and 100 needed rescuing. The rains came a day after a tropical storm brought winds of up to 78…

Payal Kadakia among the Fortune magazine Businesswomen of 2015

An Indian-origin entrepreneur Payal Kadakia  founder of ClassPass, a two year old start-up that gives customers access to thousands of boutique fitness classes in their area, has been named among the most promising businesswomen of 2015 by the Fortune magazine, in its annual recognition of 10 women innovators, game changers and ground breakers. Although ClassPass…

1798 temple in Kerala gets UNESCO Asia-Pacific award for conservation

Kerala’s rich cultural heritage, has brought international fame by winning the UNESCO’s 2015 Asia-Pacific award for conservation efforts for their famous Vadakkunathan temple in Thrissur in South India, which is more than 1200 years old, which still retains its original form.  Millions of devotees and tourists gather every year to witness the world famous “Thrissur…