Latest news with #Mediterranean
Gulf Today
20 minutes ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
DP World to develop Syria's Tartus Port under landmark 30-year deal
DP World has signed a 30-year concession agreement with Syria's General Authority for Land and Sea Ports to develop and operate the Port of Tartus. As part of the agreement, DP World will invest $800 million over the duration of the concession to upgrade the port's infrastructure and position it as a critical regional trade hub connecting Southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The agreement was signed in Damascus in the presence of Ahmed Al-Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman and Group CEO of DP World, and Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, Chairman of General Authority for Land and Sea Ports. Following over a decade of conflict and long-standing underinvestment in trade infrastructure, the redevelopment of Tartus marks an important step in Syria's economic reintegration. Structured as a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model and fully owned by DP World, the project will include new infrastructure, advanced cargo-handling equipment, and digital systems to improve efficiency across the port's container and general cargo terminals. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman and Group CEO of DP World, said, 'This agreement reflects our long-term commitment to enabling global trade and creating resilient supply chains. We see strong potential in Tartus to serve as a vital trade gateway and look forward to strengthening regional connectivity and economic opportunity through this investment. We believe in the power of trade to help drive long-term stability and prosperity for Syria and the region.' Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, Chairman of Syria's General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, said, "This agreement marks an important step forward for the Port of Tartus and Syria's maritime sector. Partnering with DP World will allow us to modernise and strengthen the efficiency of our trade infrastructure as we continue to rebuild key trade lanes, support the national economy and provide more opportunities for the Syrian people. The agreement reflects our shared vision to transform Tartus into a strategic gateway linking Syria with regional and international markets, and it will pave the way for sustainable growth for years to come." Located on Syria's Mediterranean coast, Tartus is the country's second-largest port and a key maritime gateway to trade routes across Europe, the Levant and North Africa. Its strategic position enhances regional connectivity, complementing existing routes through the Bosporus and Suez. The redevelopment will enable Tartus to handle general cargo, containers, breakbulk, and roll-on/roll-off traffic, expanding Syria's trade potential as the country continues to rebuild. DP World will also explore opportunities to develop free zones, inland logistics hubs, and transit corridors in partnership with local stakeholders, supporting broader economic diversification and trade facilitation efforts. With a presence in over 75 countries and 9.2% of global container traffic flowing through its ports and terminals, DP World brings over four decades of experience in developing logistics infrastructure around the world. The Tartus project adds to its growing portfolio and complements existing operations in the Middle East. WAM
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The sun-soaked locations where the stars are cruising on their superyachts
Superyacht summer is here so where are the Mediterranean's best yacht hotspots? Dive into the region's most popular superyacht destinations with this selection from Many of these gorgeous European hotspots have seen their fair share of celebrity visitors over the years. Portofino, Italy James Corden was seen in picturesque Portofino on Italy's stunning Riviera earlier this year. The fishing village has a particularly stunning harbor with colored buildings lining the shore. YachtCharterFleet explains that 'the scenic beauty' of the 'idyllic Mediterranean' spot has 'made it one of the world's most desirable superyacht destinations'. And Corden isn't the only celebrity to be a fan of the Italian beauty spot. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos are among the other famous faces to have holidayed in Portofino. Ibiza, Spain Known as one of Europe's premier party hotspots, Ibiza is also a top destination for superyacht holidays. Erling Haaland was seen on a jetski around the island. The Balearic island's blend of 'natural beauty', 'vibrant culture' and 'unparalleled luxury' make it the ideal yachting destination, says Premium-YachtCharter. Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, Justin Bieber and Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas are among the celebrities to have been spotted on yachts around the island. St Tropez, France A coastal town on the French Riviera, St Tropez has long been a haunt for the world's rich and famous. It can be a pricey spot to moor a yacht but the French town's luxurious nightlife and designer boutiques ensure its harbor is usually full. The Beckhams have been seen holidaying in St Tropez while Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck traveled there in 2021. Monaco One of Europe's smallest countries and one of its most luxurious, it's hardly surprising that Monaco a leading superyacht destinations. Boat International says: 'The ultimate playground of the rich and famous, Monaco is a must-see superyacht hotspot on the French Rivieira.' F1 star Lewis Hamilton reportedly keeps his superyacht in Monaco. Sardinia, Italy Home to some of Italy's most spectacular beaches, Sardinia is unsurprisingly one of the Mediterranean's top destinations for a superyacht holiday. The Costa Smeralda, a stunning 35 mile stretch of coastline on the north of the island, is a particularly popular spot for superyachts. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez were spotted soaking up the sun from Bezos' yacht in Sardinia in 2024 with celebrity guests including Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom. Cannes, France World-famous for the annual Cannes Film Festival, Cannes often hosts some of the globe's largest superyachts. Lonely Planet reveals: 'Throughout the year, as you walk among the designer bars, couture shops and palaces of La Croisette, the wealth and glamour of this city cannot fail to impress.' Kim Kardashian, Kylie Minogue and Heidi Klum are among the celebrities to have been seen at yacht parties during the Cannes Festival season. Capri, Italy The island of Capri in Italy's Bay of Naples is a world-class destination known for its natural beauty and upscale boutiques. Jeff Bezos' yacht Koru has been spotted in Capri while Kris Jenner has also holidayed there. The billionaire was recently photographed with his then fiance, Lauren Sanchez, ahead of their wedding in June. Bonifacio, Corsica A stunning walled medieval town in Corsica, Bonifacio has a modern marina and harbor. Bonifacio's limestone cliffs offer spectacular views with plenty of inlets for watersports. American businessman Magic Johnson recently holidayed on the Amadeus yacht in the region. Malta The island recently saw the arrival of around 400 celebrities on the Ritz-Carlton Luminara superyacht. Kendall Jenner, Naomi Campbell, Martha Stewart and Janelle Monae were among the guest list for the ultra-luxury yacht launch. Malta's Marina di Valletta can accommodate superyachts in style while holidaymakers can also hop around the island's stunning coastline. Popular stops include the island of Gozo and the gorgeous clear waters around Comino. Barcelona, Spain Although it's more frequently used as a winter base for superyachts, Barcelona's Marina Port Vell recently underwent a multimillion pound renovation. The Marina has the longest dock in the Mediterranean and offers easy access to one of Spain's most vibrant destinations. While the city's marina isn't the best spot for celeb spotting, several famous yachts including Steven Spielberg's Seven Seas have been seen docked there. The Marina's website explains: 'As one of only a handful of genuine city-center marinas in the world, we have the best of Barcelona and Catalunya on our doorstep and Mediterranean hotspots and islands only a short cruise away.'
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
UNESCO Announces Changes to World Heritage List
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Germany's Neuschwanstein Castle, which famously served as Walt Disney's inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's palace, is one of several new additions to UNESCO's prestigious World Heritage List. The list, which was established to protect and preserve sites of unique beauty, cultural and historical importance for humanity, now includes 1,248 landmarks and areas across over 170 countries. Sites of cultural importance account for the majority of these landmarks, at 972. The rest is split between places of astounding natural beauty (235), and so-called mixed properties (41), which have both natural and cultural value. Mist surrounds the Neuschwanstein Castle on October 31, 2024, in Hohenschwangau, Germany. Mist surrounds the Neuschwanstein Castle on October 31, 2024, in Hohenschwangau, Germany.A Fairy-tale Castle, French Megaliths, And The Vestiges Of Long-Lost Mediterranean Civilizations A total of 26 new sites were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list this year, 21 of which are of cultural importance to humanity, 4 of which are of natural value, and one of which is of both cultural and natural value. These are all the new additions, which span across several continents: Australia: Murujuga Cultural Landscape Brazil: Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park Cambodia: Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centers of repression to places of peace and reflection Cameroon: Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains China: Xixia Imperial Tombs Democratic People's Republic of Korea: Mount Kumgang—Diamond Mountain from the Sea Denmark: Møns Klint France: Megaliths of Carnac and of the shores of Morbihan Germany: The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee Greece: Minoan Palatial Centres Guinea-Bissau: Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago—Omatí Minhô India: Maratha Military Landscapes of India Iran (Islamic Republic of): The Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley Italy: Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia — The domus de janas Jamaica: The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal Malawi: Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape Malaysia: Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor Mexico: Wixárika Route through Sacred Sites to Wirikuta (Tatehuarí Huajuyé) Panama: The Colonial Transisthmian Route of Panamá Republic of Korea: Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream Russian Federation: Rock Paintings of Shulgan-Tash Cave Sierra Leone: Gola-Tiwai Complex Tajikistan: Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal Turkey: Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe United Arab Emirates: Faya Palaeolandscape Viet Nam: Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes Wall paintings inside Knossos palatial centre, in Greece. Greece's Minoan Palatial Centers—six archaeological sites built in Crete between 1900 and 1100 BCE—were added to the World Heritage Sites list because they "represent the Minoan... Wall paintings inside Knossos palatial centre, in Greece. Greece's Minoan Palatial Centers—six archaeological sites built in Crete between 1900 and 1100 BCE—were added to the World Heritage Sites list because they "represent the Minoan civilization, a major prehistoric Mediterranean culture," UNESCO said. More Greece's Ministry of Culture France's megaliths of Carnac and of the shores of Morbihan, built during the Neolithic period (c. 5000—2300 BCE), were recognized for their role in illustrating "the cultural complexity of the societies that inhabited this part... France's megaliths of Carnac and of the shores of Morbihan, built during the Neolithic period (c. 5000—2300 BCE), were recognized for their role in illustrating "the cultural complexity of the societies that inhabited this part of the European Atlantic coast," UNESCO said. More Fanch Galivel Among these, King Ludwig II's Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany, is likely the site most people around the world are already most familiar with. Built in the 19th century as a tribute to the operas of German composer Richard Wagner, the castle's romantic architecture makes it the perfect scenario for a fairy tale. That is certainly what Disney thought when he decided to recreate it inside the very first Disneyland park, which opened in California in 1955. An animated version of the castle also appeared in Disney's 1959 Sleeping Beauty. Neuschwanstein Castle as seen from the Tegelberg. The castle, together with the other Bavaria's grand palace complexes designed for King Ludwig II, "reflect the romantic and eclectic spirit of the era" they were built, UNESCO... Neuschwanstein Castle as seen from the Tegelberg. The castle, together with the other Bavaria's grand palace complexes designed for King Ludwig II, "reflect the romantic and eclectic spirit of the era" they were built, UNESCO said. More J. Beck, © BSV, Beck The castle joined the UNESCO list together with three other magnificent royal residencies in the same southern Germany region, which altogether reached an overall 1.7 million visitors last year. "The inclusion of the palaces on the World Heritage List is an outstanding honour for these impressive places," said the President of the German UNESCO Commission, Maria Böhmer following the World Heritage Committee's meeting in Paris. "They are all architectural masterpieces and bear witness to the artistic imagination, but also the eccentricity of the fairy tale king." More Than Just A Title Being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site is more than a mere symbolic act—it turns a natural or cultural landmark into an immediate must-visit for both residents and foreign visitors. Entering the prestigious list immediately elevates a site's profile on the global stage, boosting tourism and thus generating more revenues which can then be reinvested in better protecting or restoring the landmark. But being added to the list also allows sites to become eligible for global funding programs in case any repairs or restoration work is needed, as once included in the list, the site's protection becomes a matter of interest for the entire world.
Al Etihad
an hour ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
DP World to develop Syria's Tartus Port under landmark 30-year deal
13 July 2025 19:19 DAMASCUS (ALETIHAD) DP World has signed a 30-year concession agreement with Syria's General Authority for Land and Sea Ports to develop and operate the Port of part of the agreement, DP World will invest $800 million over the duration of the concession to upgrade the port's infrastructure and position it as a critical regional trade hub connecting Southern Europe, the Middle East and North agreement was signed in Damascus in the presence of Ahmed Al-Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and Group CEO of DP World, and Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, Chairman of General Authority for Land and Sea over a decade of conflict and long-standing underinvestment in trade infrastructure, the redevelopment of Tartus marks an important step in Syria's economic as a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model and fully owned by DP World, the project will include new infrastructure, advanced cargo-handling equipment, and digital systems to improve efficiency across the port's container and general cargo Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and Group CEO of DP World, said, 'This agreement reflects our long-term commitment to enabling global trade and creating resilient supply chains. We see strong potential in Tartus to serve as a vital trade gateway and look forward to strengthening regional connectivity and economic opportunity through this investment. We believe in the power of trade to help drive long-term stability and prosperity for Syria and the region.'Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, Chairman of Syria's General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, said, "This agreement marks an important step forward for the Port of Tartus and Syria's maritime sector. Partnering with DP World will allow us to modernise and strengthen the efficiency of our trade infrastructure as we continue to rebuild key trade lanes, support the national economy and provide more opportunities for the Syrian people. The agreement reflects our shared vision to transform Tartus into a strategic gateway linking Syria with regional and international markets, and it will pave the way for sustainable growth for years to come."Located on Syria's Mediterranean coast, Tartus is the country's second-largest port and a key maritime gateway to trade routes across Europe, the Levant and North Africa. Its strategic position enhances regional connectivity, complementing existing routes through the Bosporus and Suez. The redevelopment will enable Tartus to handle general cargo, containers, breakbulk, and roll-on/roll-off traffic, expanding Syria's trade potential as the country continues to World will also explore opportunities to develop free zones, inland logistics hubs, and transit corridors in partnership with local stakeholders, supporting broader economic diversification and trade facilitation efforts. With a presence in over 75 countries and 9.2% of global container traffic flowing through its ports and terminals, DP World brings over four decades of experience in developing logistics infrastructure around the world. The Tartus project adds to its growing portfolio and complements existing operations in the Middle East.
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
National Lottery backs local bread making course in Newtown
People have been gaining confidence in their baking skills by getting stuck in to a cookery course funded by the National Lottery. Cultivate, a community food co-operative based in Newtown, was recently awarded £337,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund for a new project called 'Get Growing, Get Cooking, Get Skills'. One of the key aims of the project is to work with people from across Newtown and Welshpool to give them the skills and confidence to cook fresh food from scratch. In partnership with Newtown College, part of the Neath Port Talbot Group of Colleges, Cultivate hosted a bread-making course with NPTC teaching the course in their own kitchens at the Newtown site. Participants were also asked what additional cooking courses they would like to take part in, and these included baking with different flours, batch cooking and preserving, and Mediterranean foods. Sue Lloyd-Jones, Head of School Catering, Hospitality and Agriculture across the NPTC Group, said: 'It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic cooks learning to cook using our fabulous local produce.' Erika Jones, catering lecturer, added: 'A great opportunity to work with some lovely local produce – the end product was amazing – well done all the students.' Nick Burdekin, North Powys Sustainable Food Places Co-ordinator for Cultivate, added: 'A huge thank you to Neath Port Talbot College and Erika and Sue for hosting this course and for everyone who came along and took part. 'We know from feedback that participants' confidence levels to use what they had learnt to bake and cook at home has gone up considerably, and that everyone would like to take part in more cooking courses. 'We look forward to working with the college to put on additional cooking courses.'
