Latest news with #Zanzibar
Bloomberg
18 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Luxury Counterfeiters Keep Outsmarting the Makers of $10,000 Handbags
By Dressed in a white lab coat, Mélissa B. slips on thin cotton gloves and gently places a Zanzibar blue Hermès Birkin bag, its iconic orange box, a cloth dust cover, and various documents on her desk. She steps back to eye the $18,000 purse, hunting for any bulges or bends. She runs her fingertips along the top, then picking up her pocket-size magnifying glass, she leans in to examine a palladium plate on the flap. The logo has evolved over time, but the engraved text has remained sharp and well-defined, with the characters evenly spaced. 'This is one of the key Birkin features to check,' she says. She shifts her gaze to the stitching, checking for consistency and uniformity. The four palladium feet on the bottom of the bag get a check to ensure they're made of the same metal as the rest of the hardware, and that they're hammered, not screwed, in place. Then she homes in on the zipper—ensuring it's one made by Hermès in-house, with its distinctive H-shaped stopper at the end.
Trade Arabia
11-06-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Tanzania to host WTA, Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2025
The World Travel Awards (WTA) will be hosting its Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2025 in the African nation of Tanzania, with travel industry leaders from across the region attending the VIP reception at Johari Rotana Dar es Salaam on June 28. The ceremony marks the opening leg of WTA's Grand Tour 2025, which also includes regional events in Cancun (Mexico), Saint Lucia, Hong Kong, Sardinia (Italy), Dubai (UAE), and the Grand Final in Bahrain. From the legendary Serengeti safaris to the majestic heights of Mount Kilimanjaro and the paradise beaches of Zanzibar, Tanzania is a destination that belongs on every traveller's bucket list. Graham Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards, said: "I am honoured that Tanzania is the Official Host Destination of our Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2025. The decision reflects why Tanzania is one of Africa's fastest-growing tourist nations and continues to set records for economic contribution and visitor spend." "I look forward to welcoming travel industry leaders from across Africa and the Indian Ocean to experience its many charms and incredible adventures," he stated. The Gala Ceremony promises to be the region's premier travel event of the year. The Official Host Venue, Johari Rotana Dar es Salaam, enjoys a prime location in the Central Business District, overlooking the Indian Ocean. Part of the landmark MNF Square development, the five-star hotel is close to the port, financial district, beaches and other key attractions in Tanzania's vibrant capital, sttated Cooke. Ephraim Mafuru, Director General, Tanzania Tourist Board, said: "We are delighted and proud to host the WTA Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2025 here in Tanzania." "This is a unique opportunity to showcase our country's breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultures and world-class hospitality to key figures in the travel and tourism sector. Tanzania is more than a destination – it is an experience that leaves a lasting impression, and we look forward to sharing this with the world," he added.
Times of Oman
02-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
QS and Modern College of Business and Science Announce Strategic Partnership in Zanzibar
Muscat – QS Quacquarelli Symonds, global higher education experts and compiler of the QS World University Rankings, will hold the annual QS Africa Forum at the Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel from 3-4 July. The forum will address issues related to the theme 'Maximising Africa's Potential: Scientific Research, Knowledge Transfer, Innovation, and Skills for a Thriving Future' and is co-hosted by the Modern College of Business and Science. QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the world's leading provider of services, analytics, and insights to the global higher education sector, is pleased to announce the QS Africa Forum 2025, co-sponsored by the Modern College of Business and Science (MCBS), Oman's leading institution for business and applied sciences. The event will be held in Zanzibar in July 2025 under the theme 'Maximizing Africa's Potential: Scientific Research, Knowledge Transfer, Innovation, and Skills for a Thriving Future.' Under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, this landmark event will bring together leaders from academia, industry, and government to engage in critical dialogues on harnessing higher education as a catalyst for Africa's transformation. The forum aims to explore how to maximise the continent's vast potential by equipping emerging generations with future-ready skills, knowledge, and opportunities to drive economic growth, innovation, and societal progress. 'We are honored to co-sponsor the QS Africa Forum 2025, a significant platform that aligns perfectly with MCBS's commitment to fostering global academic partnerships and supporting the growth of East Africa as a key player in the international knowledge economy,' said Executive Chairman, Dr Muneer Al Maskari. 'This forum will empower the region to maximize its educational and innovation potential through effective knowledge transfer and capacity building.' Ben Sowter, QS Senior Vice-President, said: 'The QS Africa Forum is a pivotal and transformative event that unites leaders from universities, academia, industry, and government. Its mission is to foster collaboration, champion sustainability, and serve as a catalyst for innovation and thought leadership to tackle vital contemporary challenges. We would like to thank our hosts, The Modern College of Business and Science, for their outstanding support in making this event possible.' Guest speakers include: ▪ Dr. Bismark Tyobeka, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, North-West University, South Africa ▪ Prof. Kayode Ijadunola, Vice-Chancellor, Elizade University, Nigeria ▪ Hon. Lela Muhamed Mussa, The Minister of Education and Vocational Training Revolutionary, Government of Zanzibar ▪ Dr Muneer Al Maskari, Executive Chairman, Modern College of Business and Science ▪ Prof. Qurashi Mohmed Ali, President, National University, Sudan The QS Africa Forum 2025 is a premier event for higher education leaders, researchers, and investors, with sessions dedicated to Africa's potential in scientific research, innovation, and skills development. This Forum focuses on knowledge transfer as a key enabler of sustainable development and the pathways for collaboration between African Higher Education Institutions and leading educational institutions worldwide.
News24
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
‘To be loved so gently': Lorraine Moropa melts hearts with sweet tribute to fiancé Tyler ICU
South African actor Lorraine Moropa is head over heels for her fiancé, musician Tyler ICU, and praises his consistency and love. The pair got engaged during a romantic trip to Zanzibar in January, marking the start of their journey to forever. Their relationship became public last year during a Bali trip, surprising fans with photos that went viral. Love is clearly in the air for South African actor Lorraine Moropa, who recently headed online to sing the praises of her fiancé, local musician Austin Khulani Baloyi - known best by his stage name Tyler ICU. Taking to her Instagram, the 'Lithapo' star gushed over how consistent the Mnike hitmaker is when it comes to loving her and making her feel safe and guarded in the relationship. She wrote, 'To be loved so gently, so slowly and so softly that you have no choice but to let your guard down, surrender, and be vulnerable is such an indescribable feeling I cannot believe I've felt since I've met Blue's Dad.' The 28-year-old continued, 'You'd swear our paths just crossed, and I'm probably still infatuated because how can a person be so consistent? This is truly the kind of love that makes me believe in God if there were ever doubts in me.' The couple left everyone pleasantly surprised after announcing their engagement earlier this year. While on a romantic getaway to Zanzibar in January, Tyler decided to take the plunge and ask the TV bombshell to marry him. Sharing an update online, she wrote, 'The third of January was supposed to be Baba ka boy's birthday, but it also became the beginning of the rest of my life.' She continued: 'I said YES to a Forever with my best friend. I couldn't be more grateful to God for this wonderful gift of love.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorraine SA (@ They first made things Instagram official last year during a trip to Bali together. Photos of them enjoying time together nearly broke the internet, leaving many surprised by their union.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Colonial Heart: How Arabella Pascal's 'Zanzibar' Exposes Love's Darkest Paradoxes
LOS ANGELES, CA / / May 26, 2025 / Historical romance has long been a refuge for those seeking escapism-a world of grand ballrooms, whispered confessions, and neatly tied happy endings. Arabella Pascal's Zanzibar (2nd Edition) shatters these conventions with the force of a hurricane. This is not a novel that merely entertains; it confronts, challenges, and unsettles. Set against the opulent backdrop of Victorian England and the brutal reality of East Africa's slave trade, Zanzibar forces readers to grapple with romance's most uncomfortable question: Can love truly flourish where power is violently unequal? Pascal's answer is as breathtaking as it is devastating-a story where passion and oppression collide, leaving no heart unscathed. The Architect: Arabella Pascal (née Jerri Levi) Arabella Pascal is no ordinary romance novelist. An art historian by training, she penned Zanzibar while living in Africa, embedding her prose with the precision of an academic and the fire of a storyteller. Comparisons to Diana Gabaldon are inevitable-both authors wield history like a blade-but Pascal's work cuts deeper, exposing the psychological scars of colonization with unflinching clarity. Her protagonist, Charlotte Earnshaw, is no simpering debutante but a woman ensnared-first by Zanzibar's enigmatic Prince Jasim Bin Rashid, then by the gilded cages of her own family's secrets. What sets Pascal apart is her refusal to simplify. Jasim, the so-called villain, is the only character who truly sees Charlotte's humanity, blurring the line between captor and liberator. Meanwhile, her bonus content, "What Charlotte Wore," dissects 19th-century fashion with the rigor of a scholar, drawing parallels between the constriction of corsets and the suffocation of colonial rule. This is historical romance as reclamation-a genre often dismissed as frivolous transformed into a vessel for reckoning. The Real-World Impact: Romance as Reckoning Pascal's novel doesn't just subvert romance tropes; it ignites them like gunpowder. The classic "captive falls for captor" dynamic becomes a moral quagmire, forcing readers to question where desire ends and complicity begins. Even the villainous brother-in-law, Derek, is a mirror for patriarchy's banality-a reminder that oppression often wears a familiar face. Fans of Sandra Brown's taut suspense will find Gabaldon's depth here, but with a twist: Zanzibar demands engagement, not just escapism. The numbers prove its resonance. Dark romance is surging in popularity, but Zanzibar stands apart-62% of Goodreads reviewers call it "unlike anything they've read," a testament to its unflinching blend of passion and politics. Its recognition as a finalist for the Best Long Historical by the Romance Writers of America underscores its duality: a love story that refuses to look away from history's darkest corners. Even the audiobook, narrated by British actor Gary Appleton, has captured 40% of sales, a nod to Pascal's commitment to authenticity. The Future: Can Romance Novels Be Radical? Pascal's next project, a thriller set in the Belgian Congo, signals her unwavering mission: to drag romance into the arena of cultural critique. She's part of a bold new wave of authors challenging the genre to confront its blind spots. Can a "happily ever after" exist when the wounds of history are still raw? Should love stories sidestep oppression for the sake of escapism? These are the questions Zanzibar forces into the light, proving that romance can be both swoon-worthy and revolutionary. Conclusion: The Heart in Chains Zanzibar is more than a novel-it's an indictment. Arabella Pascal wields romance like a scalpel, dissecting the illusions of power and desire with surgical precision. In her hands, the genre becomes a rebellion, petticoats and all. The darkest chains, she reminds us, aren't the ones around the wrists-they're the ones around the heart. PR Toolkit for Evrima Chicago The press hook writes itself: "The Romance Novel That's Too Dangerous for Bridgerton Fans." Target film blogs with its cinematic potential (Outlander meets 12 Years a Slave), pitch academic journals on its revisionist take on history, and let Pascal's own words seal the deal: "Writing Zanzibar felt like solving a puzzle-one where the pieces were stained with blood and rosewater." Purchase links and media contacts stand ready. The only question left is: Are readers prepared for a love story that refuses to let them look away? Purchase Links : Amazon Disclaimer - Evrima ChicagoThis original article was independently researched and published by the Evrima Chicago News Bureau and has not been previously published in any form before today. It is intended for editorial use and syndication on the world wide web as part of our coverage on contemporary literary works and their cultural relevance. Not Endorsed by the AuthorThe views and interpretations expressed herein are those of our editorial team and are not sponsored, commissioned, or officially endorsed by Jerri Levi (Arabella Pascal). Publication StandardsThis piece qualifies as a digital-first publication under recognized W3C web content syndication frameworks and is timestamped for archival and distribution purposes. No Liability for Obsessive ReadersEvrima Chicago disclaims all liability for readers who finish Zanzibar and immediately book flights to Stonehenge or Zanzibar. Historical obsession may occur. Publisher NoteEvrima Chicago is an independent media and research outlet producing editorial content across literature, history, modern culture, AI, accessibility (A11Y), and news media. Contact Type Details General Inquiries / Rights / Corrections PR@ Phone 909-326-0347 Author Contact waasay@ Author Name Waa Say (Dan Wasserman) © 2025 Evrima Chicago. All rights reserved. SOURCE: Evrima Chicago View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
