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Sep 24Thu
  1. European Commission Press Corner

    European Commission disburses full €82 million 2026 contribution to UNRWA

    European Commission Commissioner Šuica confirmed at the UNRWA ministerial meeting that the Commission has disbursed the entirety of its €82 million contribution to UNRWA's 2026 budget, on top of €18.6 million in humanitarian funding already provided this year across Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. She said 6 million Palestinian refugees depend on UNRWA, and described the demolition of UNRWA's East Jerusalem headquarters and the forced evacuation of the Kalandia Training Centre as unacceptable.

  2. European Commission Press Corner

    EU Reaffirms Commitment to 1951 Refugee Convention on 75th Anniversary

    European Commissioner Lahbib issued a statement on behalf of EU Member States marking the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees, reaffirming the EU's commitment to the Convention's core values and to UNHCR as its primary guardian. The statement notes that the EU provides temporary protection to more than 4.8 million people fleeing Russia's war against Ukraine and leads humanitarian response from Sudan to Syria, Myanmar and beyond. It also outlines a route-based approach to identify vulnerabilities early, deliver fair and swift protection to those entitled to it, and prevent irregular migration.

  3. European Commission Press Corner

    EU Commissioner Calls for Protection of Children in Gaza and the West Bank

    European Commissioner Lahbib spoke at the Call to Action for the Children of Gaza and the West Bank in New York, stating that nearly the entire population of Gaza is squeezed into less than half of the Strip, overcrowded, unsanitary and unsafe, with children lacking food, medicine and shelter and many out of school. Despite the ceasefire announced in October, children are still being killed and injured by airstrikes and other attacks; by early August, at least 300 children had been killed in the 300 days since the ceasefire was announced. In the West Bank, military operations, demolitions, movement restrictions and settler violence cut people off from water, healthcare and jobs, and childre…

Sep 23Wed
  1. European Commission Press Corner

    EU Commissioner on Drones and Civilian Protection in Eastern DRC

    EU Commissioner Lahbib said in a New York speech that drones are being used by multiple parties, including armed groups, in the conflict in eastern DRC and are hitting civilian areas. She said that less than three weeks after her February visit to Goma, a drone struck a residential building in Goma housing humanitarian workers and EU personnel, killing UNICEF humanitarian worker Karine Buisset. She stressed that international humanitarian law applies to drone warfare and called for the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, hospitals, aid convoys and camps for displaced families.

  2. European Commission Press Corner

    EU and Canada Secure Almost €220 Million for Global Ocean Observation

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney launched the OceanEye International Alliance at a high-level pledging event during the 81st UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York, securing almost €220 million in pledges for the Global Ocean Observing System. The EU added €92 million in seed funding, while Canada pledged C$82 million over five years. Thirty countries have joined the alliance so far, with contributions including financial support, in-kind support and assets such as research vessels, sensors and drones. The funds will support maintenance of existing observation platforms, closing critical data gaps, and strengthening the GOOS…

  3. European Commission Press Corner

    European Commission Advances Simplification Agenda: 12 Omnibus Proposals and Regulatory Deep Cleani…

    At the EESC plenary, the European Commission presented its Communication on 'A Simpler, Clearer and Better Enforced EU Rulebook', reporting twelve major Omnibus simplification proposals that could save at least €17 billion in annual administrative costs for European businesses and national administrations. Five pillars of action were set out: simplicity by design, a strengthened better-regulation system, regulatory deep cleaning, action against Member State gold-plating, and faster, more robust enforcement. Plans include simplification proposals for banking, housing and transport in 2027 and a proposal to accelerate permitting.

  4. European Commission Press Corner

    European Commission Daily News: France Launches First National Housing Hub

    The European Commission's Daily News of 23 September 2026 reports that France launched the first national housing hub, implementing the European Affordable Housing Plan adopted in December 2025. Established with the French Ministry of Housing, Caisse des Depots, Council of Europe Bank, Union of Social Housing (USH) and the European Investment Bank under the Pan-European Investment Platform for Affordable and Sustainable Housing, the hub aims to improve public-private cooperation, make better use of EU and national funding, and align local and EU housing policies. The briefing also covers the European Literacy Coalition, several merger clearances and UN General Assembly activities.

  5. European Commission Press Corner

    EU launches first €43 million Team Gaza projects

    The European Commission signed the first flagship early recovery projects under the EU-led Team Gaza Initiative on the margins of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York. The projects, together worth €43 million, will help restore essential water and solid waste management services for people in Gaza. The signing was carried out by Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica.

  6. European Commission Press Corner

    EU adopts €505 million package to support Lebanon's stability, recovery and reforms

    The European Commission announced €505 million in financial support for Lebanon for 2026 and 2027, the second half of the €1 billion support package announced by President von der Leyen in May 2024. The funding covers three main areas: maintaining basic services for vulnerable people including education, health, social protection and water, with cash assistance and primary healthcare; supporting the reform agenda, justice sector, oversight bodies, Parliament and human rights, while strengthening the security sector, border management, private sector resilience and economic recovery in conflict-affected areas; and supporting civil society and culture, including rights of women, youth, minori…

  7. ACI World RSS

    ACI: Global Airport Passenger Traffic Hits Record 9.8 Billion in 2025

    Airports Council International (ACI) World released its 2026 Annual World Airport Traffic Report, showing global airports carried a record 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, with air cargo also hitting an all-time high. The report draws on data from 2,817 commercial airports, capturing an estimated 97% of scheduled global passenger traffic. International traffic drove growth, up 6.1% versus 1.7% for domestic; cargo rose 3.3% and aircraft movements 2.0%. Africa led with 9.0% growth, followed by the Middle East (6.5%), Asia-Pacific (5.1%), Latin America and the Caribbean (4.5%) and Europe (4.2%), while North America fell 0.7%. Momentum has cooled in 2026: first-half passenger traffic reached abo…

  8. US BTS Statistical Releases

    North American Transborder Freight Reaches $157.6 Billion in July 2026, Up 18.8%

    The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released transborder freight data on September 23: total freight between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico reached $157.6 billion in July 2026, up 18.8% year over year. U.S.-Canada freight was $62.8 billion, up 7.8%, while U.S.-Mexico freight was $94.8 billion, up 27.5%. By mode, trucks moved $108.2 billion, up 23.9%; railways $15.6 billion, up 8.7%; pipelines $10.4 billion, up 15.4%; vessels $9.9 billion, up 12.0%; and air $5.9 billion, down 3.8%. Laredo, Ysleta, and Detroit were the top ports by value, with computer-related machinery and parts the largest commodity.

  9. Accor News & Stories

    Novotel and Paris Saint-Germain Launch 'The Long Game' Global Wellbeing Programme

    Novotel and Paris Saint-Germain unveiled 'The Long Game', a global programme translating Novotel's 'Longevity Everyday' vision into immersive hotel experiences, a worldwide digital content platform and a new campaign. The programme spans seven Novotel hotels across five continents, built around four wellbeing pillars—Eat, Sleep, Move and Meet—co-created with five Paris Saint-Germain Legends. Each hotel features themed spaces and QR codes unlocking exclusive player videos and tips; a global campaign launches in Q4.

  10. Accor News & Stories

    Accor's SO/ Berlin Das Stue to Rebrand as Sofitel in Q1 2027

    Accor announced that SO/ Berlin Das Stue, a 78-room boutique hotel housed in a heritage-protected former Royal Danish Embassy overlooking Berlin's Tiergarten, will transition to Sofitel Berlin Das Stue in Q1 2027, joining Sofitel's global luxury collection. The property will retain its Danish heritage and contemporary design while undergoing a curated enhancement program covering guestrooms, bedding, public spaces, signage, corridors and a reimagined lobby. The move strengthens Sofitel's presence in Germany and Europe; Accor currently operates nearly 300 hotels with more than 43,000 rooms in Germany, with around 30 projects in development.

  11. IATA Pressroom

    IATA to Hold Joint World Financial and Passenger Symposium in Macao in October 2026

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will hold the joint World Financial Symposium (WFS) and World Passenger Symposium (WPS) on 28–29 October 2026 in Macao (SAR), China, under the theme "From Vision to Value: The Next Era of Air Travel." The event will bring together leaders from airline retailing, finance and passenger experience to discuss artificial intelligence, modern airline retailing, digital identity and new payment solutions. The agenda includes the IATA Industry Economic Outlook, results of the 2026 IATA Global Passenger Survey, and three specialized tracks: Retail and Distribution (Offers & Orders), Financial Services and Processing, and Passenger Experience and Acc…

  12. IHG Newsroom

    IHG Accelerates Malaysia Expansion with Garner Hotels and Franchise Model

    IHG signed a two-hotel portfolio agreement with King Park Hotel Sdn. Bhd, launching its franchise model and midscale conversion brand Garner in Malaysia for the first time. The 202-room Garner Hotel Kota Kinabalu will be rebranded from King Park Hotel Kota Kinabalu, with 106 rooms opening in 2027 and 96 more in a second phase in 2029; the 140-room Holiday Inn Express Tawau will open in 2028 after refurbishment, becoming IHG's first hotel in Tawau.

  13. BCD Travel RSS

    Hotel RFP alone no longer defines corporate hotel program success

    Alicia Olson, Director of Hotel Program Strategy at Advito (BCD Travel), argues that corporate hotel program success is shifting from the volume of negotiated rates secured to whether travelers can access the right hotel content through approved channels. Citing discussion in Business Travel Executive, the piece notes persistent challenges including lengthy RFP cycles, the static-rate versus dynamic-discount debate, rate loading issues and traveler compliance, while the industry pushes toward shorter, technology-enabled sourcing models. A larger negotiated portfolio does not necessarily produce a stronger program; sourcing should focus on properties supported by traveler demand and visible…

  14. European Commission Press Corner

    European Commission Proposes Unlocking €4.2 Billion for Hungary and Restoring Erasmus+/Horizon Euro…

    The European Commission proposed to the Council to lift the protective measures adopted in 2022 concerning Hungary under the Conditionality Regulation, considering that Hungary has addressed the rule-of-law breaches affecting the EU budget. If adopted by the Council, the proposal would reinstate €4.2 billion in suspended cohesion policy commitments and restore access to Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe for students and researchers from universities maintained by Hungarian Public Interest Trusts. The Commission assessed the remedies notified by Hungary on September 9, 2026, and their implementation, concluding that Hungary has addressed previously identified weaknesses in areas such as public pro…

  15. European Commission Press Corner

    EU Commissioner Outlines Crisis Response and Early Recovery Investment Approach

    An EU Commissioner delivered opening remarks at a high-level ministerial policy dialogue in New York, setting out the EU's development investment approach amid multiple crises. The speech noted that Lebanon is advancing reforms while over one million people are displaced, Syria is trying to recover from more than a decade of civil war, and Gaza remains in limbo, with populations needing essential services such as schools, sanitation, housing, food and water. The EU aims to combine humanitarian support with early recovery and longer-term development, and announced an additional EUR 505 million adopted this summer for Lebanon's reforms, recovery and stability, on top of a previous EUR 500 mil…

  16. European Commission Press Corner

    EU Advances Gaza Peace Plan and Early Recovery Projects at UN General Assembly

    At a high-level briefing during the UN General Assembly, the European Commission said the EU is committed to implementing the Gaza Peace Plan under UN Security Council Resolution 2803. Through the Team Gaza Initiative with 16 international partners, the EU has gathered around $1 billion for early recovery in Gaza and signed its first two projects: a solid waste management project with UNDP and a water and sanitation project with UNICEF, totaling $50 million. The EU stressed the need to coordinate with Israel to ensure greater access to the Strip for projects, humanitarian aid, and the international Stabilisation Force.

  17. European Commission Press Corner

    EU Provides €10 Million Grant for Women's Employment in MENA

    At a high-level roundtable held during the UN General Assembly, the European Commission announced a €10 million grant to create 500,000 jobs for women in the Middle East and North Africa, focusing on sectors including clean energy, climate adaptation, science and technology, and the care economy. The EU also supports micro-businesses and households through the SANAD fund, which has supported 500,000 jobs, over a third held by women. The EU said it will work with governments and regulators across the Mediterranean to improve access to finance for women and women-led businesses.

  18. European Commission Press Corner

    European Commission Signs Two Gaza Early Recovery Contracts with UNICEF and UNDP

    The European Commission signed two flagship Gaza early recovery contracts in New York. The "Gaza Water and Wastewater Early Recovery" project with UNICEF will provide improved water and sanitation for approximately 1 million people in Gaza, while the project with UNDP focuses on waste collection, waste transfer and a recycling pilot. The Commissioner said these are a first step under the Team Gaza Initiative, which raised almost 1 billion dollars for the people of Gaza at the Palestine Donor Group meeting last July. The projects are aligned with the Board of Peace, NCAG and the Palestinian Authority, with clear commitments from Israel to facilitate them.

Sep 22Tue
  1. BCD Travel RSS

    BCD issues practical hotel safety guide for business travelers

    BCD Travel published a hotel safety guide for business travelers, drawing on insights from its Global Crisis Management team and BCD Marketplace partner Maiden Voyage. BCD research found travelers often feel confident in their hotel choices, yet safety risks still exist. The guide offers eight practical measures: setting safety-related preferences before arrival (such as a non-adjoining room, a room above the ground floor, or a location close to elevators or away from isolated areas); protecting the room number at check-in; assessing room location and securing doors, windows and adjoining-room entrances; using secondary locks while inside; verifying unexpected visitors before opening the do…

  2. European Commission Press Corner

    EU Commission President Unveils EU KIDS Act Social Media Age Limits

    European Commission President von der Leyen presented the EU KIDS Act at a high-level dialogue in New York, banning social media for under-13s and personal accounts for under-15s. Children aged 13 to 15 would only use parent-set and supervised mini accounts with limited features and a 60-minute daily cap that parents can reduce. The law would reverse the burden of proof, requiring platforms to demonstrate their services are safe for children or lose access to them. She cited a July Eurobarometer finding that 92% of Europeans want more action to protect children online.

  3. Hilton Stories RSS

    Conrad Expands 1/3/5 Cultural Experience Program Across Five Continents

    Hilton's Conrad Hotels & Resorts expanded its Conrad 1/3/5 program, organizing guest time into one-, three-, and five-hour windows with locally curated cultural experiences designed by each hotel's concierge team, spanning traditions, crafts, cuisine, wellness, and discovery. The program covers Conrad properties across five continents and is bookable at the concierge desk or each property's website. Conrad currently has 51 properties across five continents.

  4. Brazil ANAC News

    Brazil ANAC publishes August average domestic airfare of BRL 776.87

    Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) published its August airfare panel data on 22 September 2026. The real average fare across all routes and all carriers was BRL 776.87 per segment, up 14.5% versus August 2025 and 15.1% versus August 2024, in August 2025 values adjusted by IPCA. Jet fuel (QAV) averaged BRL 4.98 per litre, up 31.8% year on year and 10.4% versus August 2024. The fare methodology covers only the air transport price paid, excluding ancillary services such as baggage and seat selection and boarding fees, and excludes tickets with discounts not available to the general public, including award tickets, corporate fares and airline employee tickets. By fare band, 34.8% o…

  5. Sabre Newsroom

    Kenya Airways Partners with Sabre to Upgrade to Modern Retailing Platform

    Kenya Airways has selected Sabre to implement a new retailing platform that will become the operational and commercial backbone of its business, supporting reservations, ticketing, inventory management and airport check-in, replacing a system that has served the airline for more than two decades. Built on Sabre Mosaic, the platform advances the carrier toward personalised, offer-and-order-based retailing, and Kenya Airways will adopt Sabre Mosaic Offer Optimisation for continuous learning and dynamic pricing. The move aligns the airline with industry standards including IATA's New Distribution Capability (NDC), with modernisation to proceed in stages.

  6. Hilton Stories RSS

    Hilton Launches Home2 Suites Clean Energy Prototype

    Hilton introduced the Home2 Suites by Hilton Clean Energy Prototype, an optional, scalable hotel design concept for new U.S. builds that combines all-electric systems, renewable energy and high-efficiency building technologies. Based on modeling across 13 U.S. cities, the design is expected to cut annual energy costs by 18% to 40%, improve energy efficiency by about 30% and reduce operational carbon emissions by roughly 440 metric tons. Hilton calls it its first zero-operational-emissions prototype made widely available to owners, supported by Hilton Supply Management's energy procurement program.

  7. EU Transport News

    Women in Rail Awards 2026 Celebrate Outstanding Contributions to Europe's Rail Sector

    The European Commission's Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport announced the 2026 Women in Rail Award winners, presented at the Women in Mobility Luncheon during InnoTrans in Berlin. The awards are a joint initiative of the Commission's Women in Transport Platform, EU-Rail, ERA, CER, UNIFE, EIM and ALE, recognizing individuals and organizations advancing gender equality, supporting the next generation of rail professionals, research and innovation, and operational excellence. DG MOVE Director-General Magda Kopczyńska stressed that rail needs everyone's skills, ideas and experience, and that a more diverse workforce is essential to a more innovative, competitive and future-ready se…

  8. GBTA News & Press

    GBTA Poll: Business Travel Confidence Rebounds to 2026 High

    GBTA polled 604 business travel professionals worldwide online from August 27 to September 9, 2026. 63% are optimistic about the industry outlook for the next 12 months, up from 41% in April and above 59% in January; pessimism fell from 24% to 7%. Optimism rose among both buyers and suppliers, and Europe's net optimism swung from -17 to +44. 56% of buyers expect travel spend to increase and 45% expect more trips, with spend expectations continuing to outpace volume. Costs and geopolitical uncertainty remain the main constraints.

  9. European Commission Press Corner

    Eurobarometer shows overwhelming public support for European agriculture

    The European Commission published the tenth Eurobarometer survey on Europeans, Agriculture and the CAP, interviewing 26,456 respondents across all 27 member states between May and June 2026. 95% consider agriculture and rural areas important for Europe's future, 93% see securing a stable EU food supply as crucial, and 70% believe the CAP benefits all Europeans. For the first time, respondents were asked about the importance of EU origin when buying food, with almost eight in ten calling it important or very important.

  10. European Commission Press Corner

    Commissioner's remarks at General Affairs Council on the MFF

    EU Commissioner Serafin delivered opening remarks at the General Affairs Council in Brussels, noting this is his fourth MFF negotiation. He cited four differences: Council calls to cut an already modernised budget proposal focused more on competitiveness, defence and security; stabilisation of national contributions based on 2027 figures; the need for a serious package of new own resources, with the October European Council set to clarify an updated basket; and the exceptional times in which EU sovereignty is at stake.

  11. European Commission Press Corner

    Eurobarometer: Europeans are doing more physical activity

    Ahead of the 2026 European Week of Sport, the European Commission published the sixth Eurobarometer on sport and physical activity. Compared with 2022, those exercising several times a week rose to 38% (up 6 points), almost daily to 9% (up 3 points), and those who never exercise fell from 45% to 39%. Main motivations are improving or maintaining physical health (44%) and relaxing (39%), with 26% citing mental health. Parks and outdoor spaces remain most popular (47%), fitness facilities rose from 33% to 39%, and active commuting rose from 24% to 37%, the largest increase.

  12. European Commission Press Corner

    EU and Philippines Reach Substantial Agreement on Free Trade Deal

    European Commissioner Šefčovič announced a substantial breakthrough in the EU-Philippines free trade agreement talks. Both sides agreed to liberalise over 94% of tariff lines, covering more than 97% of goods. The EU already exports over EUR 8 billion a year to the Philippines in machinery, transport equipment, medicines and agricultural goods; bilateral goods trade is nearly EUR 18 billion and services trade over EUR 10 billion. Negotiating teams are tasked with formally concluding the agreement in the coming months.

  13. Accor News & Stories

    Accor's MGallery Signs New York's Ink 48 as U.S. Flagship for 2028

    Accor's boutique brand MGallery Collection announced the signing of Ink 48 in Manhattan, New York, as its U.S. flagship hotel. Located in Hell's Kitchen, the property has 222 guestrooms including 17 suites, a rooftop bar, a restaurant and about 6,000 square feet of meeting space. Following the signing, the hotel will undergo extensive renovation while continuing to operate independently, before officially joining MGallery in 2028 under Rebel Hotel Company management. MGallery currently has more than 125 hotels worldwide with over 60 projects in development.

  14. IHG Newsroom

    IHG Named Official Hotel Partner of Men's Rugby World Cup 2027

    IHG Hotels & Resorts announced it has been named Official Hotel Partner of Men's Rugby World Cup 2027. The tournament runs from 1 October to 13 November 2027 in Australia and will be the largest edition to date, with 24 teams playing 52 matches across seven host cities. IHG will use its hotel network and the IHG One Rewards platform, with over 160 million members, to welcome teams, officials and fans. IHG has existing ties with Rugby Australia, SANZAAR and Six Nations Rugby.

  15. Expedia Group Newsroom

    Expedia Group Advertising and Redion Announce First Travel Protection Partnership

    Expedia Group announced a multi-year marketing collaboration with Redion (formerly Europ Assistance worldwide and Generali Global Assistance in the U.S.), marking the first time a travel insurance and assistance brand has joined Expedia Group Advertising as a dedicated partner and opening an entirely new advertiser category. The two companies have worked together for more than 15 years, with Redion providing travel protection to Expedia Group customers; this collaboration moves the relationship beyond product distribution into a strategic advertising alliance with co-branded editorial, on-platform experiences and targeted activations rolling out across Expedia Group brands from Q3 2026. Exp…

  16. IHG Newsroom

    IHG Luxury & Lifestyle Portfolio Earns 2026 MICHELIN Key Recognition

    IHG Hotels & Resorts announced broad recognition across its Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio in the 2026 MICHELIN Key selection, with 51 properties awarded across four brands: Six Senses, InterContinental, Regent and Kimpton. Six Senses London earned its first MICHELIN Key in its opening year, Six Senses Zighy Bay was elevated to Two Keys, and four Regent properties were recognised. The business now spans more than 600 hotels worldwide across six brands.

  17. European Commission Press Corner

    Von der Leyen Meets Norwegian PM Støre in New York

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly. They discussed longstanding Norway-EU cooperation based on common values and interests, and Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, reaffirming support for the Ukrainian people with political, military, financial and humanitarian assistance. Von der Leyen highlighted the importance of the EEA Agreement and its full implementation, and welcomed Norway's September 18 measures to accelerate incorporation of the backlog of EU acts.

  18. European Commission Press Corner

    EU Adopts 26th Annual Report on Macao, Citing National Security Focus and Erosion of Freedoms

    The European Commission and the High Representative adopted the 26th annual report on Macao, covering developments in 2025. The report says fundamental freedoms and rights were further eroded. Former pro-democracy lawmaker Au Kam San was arrested on 30 July under Macao's national security law, the first arrest under that law; independent outlet All About Macau announced closure in October after deregistration. The eighth Legislative Assembly election was held in September, with 14 directly elected, 12 indirectly elected and seven appointed seats, after 12 candidates were disqualified. Economically, the EU was Macao's second-largest goods trading partner in 2025 at €887 million, 25.3% of Mac…

  19. European Commission Press Corner

    EU and UNESCO Hold High-Level Side Event on Information Integrity

    EU Commissioner Šuica delivered opening remarks at the UNESCO-EU high-level side event held during the UN General Assembly in New York, themed on strengthening information integrity and freedom of expression in the Mediterranean. She said information integrity and freedom of expression are at the core of a peaceful, stable, and inclusive society, and that false narratives can delay solutions to urgent issues such as climate change and can lead people to trust smugglers and fuel radicalisation and violence. Under the Pact for the Mediterranean, the EU supports actions on media and information literacy, fact-checking, journalists—especially young journalists—and cross-border cooperation.