One survivor as 20 killed in South Sudan plane crash
Only one person has survived a plane crash in South Sudan, which killed 20 oil workers who were on board, the government said.
The plane, which was heading to the capital, Juba, crashed three minutes after take-near the oil fields in Unity State on Wednesday morning, said Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol.
Among the victims are five foreign nationals: two Chinese, one Indian, and two Ugandan crew members. The 15 other victims were all South Sudanese.
The cause of the crash has not been determined, but authorities said they are investigating.
"Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those on board during this incredibly difficult time," said Chol.
The oil workers, who were all men, worked for the Greater Pioneer Company (GPOC) and the plane was operated by Light Air Services Aviation Company.
GPOC is a joint venture that includes state-owned oil companies from India, China, Malaysia, and South Sudan.
It was meant to be a routine exploration mission.
South Sudan's aviation infrastructure is not well developed and the country has a poor safety record.
Air accidents are common, and frequently blamed on overloading of the aircraft or the weather conditions.
In 2021, five people were killed after a cargo plane carrying fuel for the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) crashed near Juba.
South Sudan's 7ft 2in refugee basketballer
'Dying of thirst' as climate-driven floods mix with oil
The South Sudanese pilgrims who walked nine days to see the Pope
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National Geographic
2 hours ago
- National Geographic
Discover the hip Singapore neighbourhood where ancient history comes to life
The best way to understand Singapore's cosmopolitan evolution is to visit the Telok Ayer neighbourhood, where Chinese and South Indian immigrants first gathered after landing on its shores in the early 19th century. Once a natural bay — Telok Ayer means 'bay water' in Malay — the area expanded as part of a land reclamation effort that started in the 1880s. Over several decades, Telok Ayer was transformed into a sub-district of Chinatown in the Central Area of Singapore. Just south of the Singapore River, Chinese indentured labourers and merchants lived alongside Indian moneychangers and traders in colourful shophouses, and worshipped side-by-side at ornate Buddhist temples and geometric mosques and shrines. Today, the Telok Ayer district is a testament to both the island's storied history and its modern creative scene. From Michelin-rated restaurants and creative bars to traditional hawker centres and colonial-era architecture, Telok Ayer and the adjacent Chinatown offer an array of experiences that are as diverse as the area's population. Here's how to enjoy a day in the district. Start by diving into the heritage of the region's Cantonese and Hakka immigrants at the Fuk Tak Chi Museum, located within the AMOY Hotel by Far East Hospitality. Initially built in 1824 for a Taoist deity named Tua Pek Kong, the Fuk Tak Chi Temple was restored in 1998 as a museum, which now displays artefacts and dioramas depicting scenes of Singaporean life from the 19th and early 20th centuries. While exploring the area, pick up a freshly baked muffin and coffee at the quaint Plain Vanilla Telok Ayer bakery before heading to Telok Ayer Green, a small garden space offering respite from the busy street. Find a bench and relax under the shady foliage, or take a stroll and read from plaques detailing the rich tapestry of the neighbourhood. In Singapore's Chinatown neighbourhood, historic temples and hawker centres sit alongside trendy shops, cafes and bars. Photograph by Prime Images, Getty Images The area around the park is flanked by two of Singapore's national monuments: Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre and Yu Huang Gong. The former was previously the Nagore Dargah, a dusty rose–hued limestone shrine honouring the Tamil Sufi preacher-saint Shahul Hamid. The building, with its minarets and crescent-and-star motifs, has since been converted into a heritage centre that tells the story of the Indian-Muslim diaspora in Singapore. Meanwhile, Yu Huang Gong is a Taoist temple worshipping the Heavenly Jade Emperor; look out for the ornate dragons adorning its roof. Next to Yu Huang Gong is another national monument worth admiring: Thian Hock Keng Temple, the country's oldest Hokkien temple, featuring detailed wood and stone carvings. This is where visitors prayed to Mazu, the Goddess of the Seas. Along the same street, the light-cream Al-Abrar Mosque, one of the city's oldest mosques, blends in seamlessly with its neighbouring row of shophouses. (With the exception of Nagore Dargah, the mosques and temples are active places of worship, so visitors are encouraged to be mindful and dress modestly.) After a morning of nourishing the spirit, spend the afternoon satisfying the stomach at Amoy Street Food Centre. At this popular two-storey, open-air food court, diners can choose from more than 130 food stalls selling everything from upscale ramen to charcoal-grilled toast with a sweet coconut-pandan jam. Try the Michelin Bib Gourmand-recommended J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff, a flaky pastry with four flavours of savoury filling to choose from; or Ah Ter Teochew Fish Ball Noodles, which is known for its robust pork bone broth, al dente egg noodles and chewy fish balls. Craving even more variety? Less than a quarter of a mile away is the world-renowned Maxwell Food Centre, made famous by Anthony Bourdain. While there are more than 100 options to choose from here, most people who visit Maxwell will make a beeline for Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice — the gently poached chicken with ginger- and stock-infused rice is the star dish. The colourful Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum features architecture from China's Tang Dynasty and is home to a collection of Buddhist relics. Photograph by PT STOCK, Getty Images To walk off the meal, take a stroll through Ann Siang Hill Park, a green oasis tucked behind a row of pre-colonial shophouses. Visitors can see the last remaining well in Chinatown, along with spice trees like nutmeg and cinnamon, which first drew Europeans to Southeast Asia centuries ago. Continue on to Amoy Street to reach the back wall of Thian Hock Keng Temple, where art aficionados can admire a 130ft-long mural that features vignettes of immigrant life in Singapore — it shows everything from water buffalos pulling carts to street vendors hawking food from baskets. At the nearby Chinatown Street Market, travellers can see more murals by the same local artist, Yip Yew Chong, and shop for budget-friendly souvenirs and snacks. Modern skyscrapers and stylish hotels, including The Clan Hotel Singapore, tower above the historic streets of Chinatown. Photograph by The Clan Hotel Singapore While Telok Ayer is relatively relaxed in the daytime, the streets — especially Club Street and Ann Siang Hill — come alive after dark. The after-work crowd congregates at lively spots like the halal Brazilian steakhouse Picanhas' or one of the many authentic French restaurants in the precinct, such as Merci Marcel, and drink the night away at creative cocktail bars like Brooklyn Bar. For those looking to enjoy dinner with a view, Qīn Restaurant & Bar is a chic restaurant within The Clan Hotel Singapore on Cross Street. Take in views of the glittering cityscape while savouring the artful East-meets-West menu. The hotel also offers guests complimentary tours of the local area's historic and cultural sites, making it an ideal base for those eager to explore Chinatown. There are direct flights available from London to Singapore Changi Airport. Taxis are readily available from the airport and take around 30 minutes to reach Chinatown. Buses and the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system are also practical and inexpensive ways to travel around Singapore. The Clan Hotel Singapore by Far East Hospitality enjoys direct access to the Telok Ayer MRT station (Exit D). The hotel's The Clan Uncovers: The Art of Balance package, available to book until 27 December 2025, offers guests a transformative stay featuring a 45-minute yin yoga session, a mindful tea experience paired with guided meditation and a curated dinner at Qīn Restaurant & Bar. For more information, visit This paid content article was created for The Clan Hotel Singapore. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).

Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Travel, hospitality lead India's shift to recycled packaging
India's decision to allow recycled plastic in food-grade applications, announced on World Environment Day 2025, marks a major development in the country's fight against plastic pollution. This policy change not only signals government support for a circular economy but also places increased responsibility on the travel, hospitality, and food service industries to adopt sustainable practices. By permitting recycled plastic in food-grade settings, the Government of India has responded to long-standing calls from environmental experts and industry leaders. The decision allows plastic materials—when collected, processed, and certified correctly—to be reused in packaging and food service, reducing dependency on virgin plastic. The move supports a larger national goal: transitioning from a linear to a circular economy. While the policy sets a new standard, the real test lies in implementation. Infrastructure for collection and recycling, clear labelling, and strict quality assurance will be essential to ensure public health and environmental safety are not compromised. The tourism industry is now under heightened scrutiny. Hotels, resorts, and airlines are increasingly expected to provide plastic-free options as standard, not luxury. Already, many businesses have introduced alternatives such as compostable trays, refillable toiletry stations, and reusable water bottles. Companies like HungerBox, which supplies meals to major Indian workplaces, are setting examples by removing single-use plastics across their services. Their operational model prioritises sustainable packaging, eco-certified vendors, and digital tools that reduce waste across food service environments. In large-scale catering operations common in hospitality and travel, such systemic changes can significantly reduce plastic footprints. Investment firms focused on sustainability, including Green Frontier Capital, have welcomed the policy change as a signal to scale up funding for waste-tech and eco-packaging startups. Their strategy reflects a growing belief that financial backing must support not just growth but environmental recovery. Consumer behaviour is also shifting. A recent global survey by found that 76% of travellers prefer accommodations with strong sustainability practices, while nearly 70% are more likely to book with businesses that avoid single-use plastics. This trend places pressure on operators across the travel chain—from airports and hotels to tour companies and in-flight services—to overhaul their packaging systems. The policy change marks progress, but experts caution that widespread impact will depend on consistent enforcement, supply chain transparency, and public education. Clear certification standards, proper sorting and recycling systems, and mass awareness campaigns will be necessary to build trust and prevent greenwashing. Tourism and hospitality organisations will need to collaborate on benchmarks and best practices. Suppliers and service providers must align around common goals for material reuse and waste reduction. India's plastic policy shift offers a rare moment of clarity for the industry: adapt now, or risk falling behind in an economy where environmental accountability is no longer optional. "Travel, hospitality lead India's shift to recycled packaging" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hilton Opens Garden Inn Gen A in China as Brand Bets on Young Travelers
Hilton on Tuesday debuted its first Hilton Garden Inn Gen A hotels in China, a new regional prototype designed specifically for younger, more design-conscious travelers – Gen A stands for Generation Alpha. The openings are in multiple cities, including Chongqing, Sanya, and Harbin. At its 2025 Hilton Garden Inn Investment Summit, the company also announced 19 new signings for the brand across Greater China, adding to a growing pipeline of 185 planned properties, in addition to the 115 already operating in the region. Hilton's 2025 Trends Report revealed that 88% of Gen Alpha and Gen Z in Asia Pacific are likely to travel in the next year. Gen Alpha and Gen Z's appetite for travel is particularly pronounced in China, India and Singapore, where young travelers have gone on two to three trips on average in the past year. The company has chosen a light-asset model in China, using joint ventures and franchise deals to expand rapidly without tying up capital. 'Our business in China is large and still keeps going strong,' Kevin Jacobs, Hilton's CFO, said in the company's most recent earnings call. 'Part of that business in China… is in a joint venture format for Hampton and Hilton Garden Inn, where we share the economics… Every one of those deals is, like a lot of our franchise deals, no capital, infinite yield, and we're growing a huge presence and building a big brand name in China on the backs of those deals.' Jacobs noted that Hilton Garden Inn continues to be a strong performer in China. He explained that these deals are made at market rates with full fees and deliver higher RevPAR. Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta said during the call that the strategy is entering a new phase: 'Now what we're doing is franchising. We've built a team and we're franchising, particularly with Garden Inn and other brands, our own brands.' Alan Watts, Hilton's Asia-Pacific president, told Skift earlier this year: 'One in every 3 hotels under construction in China carries the Hilton flag.' And Hilton Garden Inn, in particular, has become the go-to brand for smaller Chinese cities, where full-service Hiltons might not be viable yet. Hilton has more than 840 hotels in China across 260 destinations, but the domestic travel environment is still recovering. Hilton reported that RevPAR in China dropped by 3.1% in the first quarter of 2025, mainly due to strong outbound travel during the Chinese New Year and tough comparisons to last year. That hasn't slowed the company's long-term plans. In the February earnings call Nassetta pointed out, 'Chinese are traveling like crazy. So there's a whole outbound story… So, while we still expect China to sort of be positive growth, but tepid… when you aggregate all the demand for travel coming out of China, it's super beneficial to our broader APAC business.' China may not be booming right now, but outbound Chinese travelers are fueling Hilton's growth in nearby regions like Japan, Southeast Asia, and Australasia. To strengthen its position among Chinese travelers, Hilton recently teamed up with DiDi ChuXing, the country's leading ride-hailing platform. Through the partnership, Hilton Honors and DiDi Mileage members now enjoy tier-based cross-program benefits that range from discounted rides to room upgrades and late checkouts. Ben George, Hilton's APAC commercial director, explained the idea behind the collaboration: 'We're creating a seamless journey from departure to hotel, further elevating the overall Stay experience for our members and guests.' For Hilton, this kind of lifestyle integration isn't just a perk. It's part of a broader strategy to keep travelers inside its ecosystem — from booking a car to checking in at the hotel. Last year Hilton also announced a new partnership with Starbucks China, allowing Hilton Honors and Starbucks Rewards members in mainland China to link their accounts, earn points, reciprocal membership benefits and fast-tracked elite status. Get breaking travel news and exclusive hotel, airline, and tourism research and insights at Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data