Latest news with #with
Indian Express
a day ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘No variation': How Novak Djokovic's ruthless feedback helped Jannik Sinner turn around his game
Jannik Sinner's coach Darren Cahill has revealed how it was Novak Djokovic who helped turnaround Sinner's game in 2022 with his honest feedback. Djokovic had told Cahill that Sinner has 'no variation', 'no height over the net', 'doesn't try to bring me to net' and 'not attacking my serve'. It was Cahill who had sought out the Serbian star after Djokovic had beat Sinner in the quarter-finals of the 2022 Wimbledon, around the time he had joined Sinner's coaching team. Djokovic had beaten Sinner 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Cahill decided to approach Djokovic for his views. 'Hits the ball great, but there's no variation. So you know, there's no shape on his shot. There's no height over the net. Doesn't come to the net. He's not trying to bring me in, I know that he returns well, but he's not attacking my serve on the return of serve,' Cahill recalled the feedback on the podcast 'Served with Andy Roddick'. 'Novak got used to his ball, got used to the shape, got used to the pace and then just locked in, like Novak does, and doesn't miss. And won the last three sets reasonably easily,' Cahill says about that 2022 match. 'And I saw Novak, and he's always great with this, he's always been incredible when you tap him on the shoulder. And I said, 'Hey listen, I've just started with Jannik, don't tell me anything you don't want to tell me, but can I ask what you were feeling out there?' And he was incredible.' Cahill then took the feedback to Sinner who was inspired to change his game. 'So he went through his whole game and broke it down. It wasn't like it was revelations to what we didn't know about Jannik and what we were trying to change in his game. 'But when you take that conversation and sit down with a young man like Jannik Sinner and say,' Hey, listen, I just spoke to Novak and this is what he thinks', that leaves a big impression on a young player. So for Jannik it's: 'Right, give it to me. Let's start doing these changes'.' Sinner's ranking at the end of that year 2022 was 15; he is now world no.1.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Food Bites: celebrity chef Miguel Maestre on beer festival's menu
The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre. He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day. Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival. At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs. The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery. Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day. Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more. The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland. The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge". The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events. "This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration." The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services. Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington. "It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said. "I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well. "Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces." Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more. This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm). Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival. "Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said. "Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between. "We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016." The Viral Food festival is something a little different. "It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them." The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions. Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints. Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham. Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30. The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store. The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre. He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day. Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival. At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs. The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery. Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day. Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more. The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland. The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge". The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events. "This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration." The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services. Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington. "It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said. "I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well. "Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces." Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more. This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm). Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival. "Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said. "Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between. "We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016." The Viral Food festival is something a little different. "It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them." The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions. Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints. Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham. Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30. The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store. The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre. He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day. Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival. At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs. The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery. Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day. Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more. The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland. The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge". The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events. "This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration." The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services. Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington. "It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said. "I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well. "Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces." Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more. This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm). Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival. "Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said. "Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between. "We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016." The Viral Food festival is something a little different. "It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them." The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions. Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints. Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham. Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30. The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store. The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre. He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day. Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival. At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs. The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery. Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day. Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more. The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland. The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge". The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events. "This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration." The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services. Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington. "It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said. "I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well. "Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces." Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more. This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm). Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival. "Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said. "Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between. "We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016." The Viral Food festival is something a little different. "It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them." The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions. Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints. Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham. Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30. The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
U.S. Virgin Islands Reports Strong Mid-Year Tourism Growth and Global Visibility in 2025
ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At the halfway point of 2025, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is reporting strong gains across airlift, cruise arrivals, accommodations, cultural events, and global brand visibility. With continued momentum and sustained interest from travelers and industry partners alike, the territory remains one of the most dynamic destinations in the Caribbean. "We've reached the halfway point of 2025 with exceptional results that reflect the appeal and strength of the U.S. Virgin Islands," said Joseph Boschulte, U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism. "This is a testament to the dedication of the Department of Tourism team and local stakeholders who together remain focused on sustainable growth, strategic partnerships, and cultural authenticity." Air service continues to expand, making it easier for travelers to access the territory. New daily nonstop flights from Dallas to St. Thomas are now operating, while additional service from Chicago and Boston is scheduled to begin in December. St. Croix will also gain new nonstop connectivity from Chicago later this year. These new routes come on the heels of record arrivals in 2024. Air arrivals for 2025 are projected to be slightly below 2024's record numbers. Cruise arrivals are also trending upward. St. Thomas/St. John is projected to receive 1,487,753 passengers across 414 ship calls this year, marking a 4 percent increase. St. Croix anticipates 86 calls and more than 208,086 passengers, reinforcing the island's role in the territory's cruise strategy. Hotels and vacation rentals are performing well across the territory. Hotel occupancy has grown 4.3 percent, and hotel tax collections have surpassed 2024 April Year-To-Date (YTD) revenues by 6.7 percent and are 41.0 percent ahead of the same period of fiscal year 2023. Short-term rental revenue is also up, with fiscal year collections tracking nearly 11 percent ahead. The U.S. Virgin Islands now ranks third in the Caribbean for both average daily rate and revenue per available room, each more than 30 percent above the regional average. Signature cultural celebrations continue to be a major draw. The Crucian Christmas Festival and St. Thomas Carnival generated more than $5.6 million in combined earned media value and brought thousands of visitors to experience the music, food, and pageantry of the islands. The upcoming St. John Celebration, taking place June 29 through July 4, is expected to attract visitors from across the region and showcase the vibrant spirit of the U.S. Virgin Islands. National marketing efforts continue to elevate the territory's profile across key markets. Strategic partnerships with the LPGA, Chicago Cubs, New York Jets, Boston Red Sox, Klutch Sports Group, Fenway Sports Management "Way Up with Angela Yee" and I Heart Radio are helping extend USVI visibility. The destination was also featured at the 2025 Dreamville Festival and is preparing for activations at major lifestyle events later this year, including the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, LPGA FM Championship, Angela Yee Day and One Musicfest. Meetings and incentives travel has also gained traction, with more than 17 programs booked during fiscal year 2023–2024, generating nearly 7,000 room nights, $2.7 million in room revenue, and over $330,000 in tax revenue. According to Cvent, St. Thomas is now ranked as the fifth most preferred Caribbean destination for incentive travel, ahead of Puerto Rico and Jamaica. Recent accolades continue to reinforce the U.S. Virgin Islands' standing as a top Caribbean destination. In 2025, Caribbean Journal recognized the territory as both Caribbean Yachting Destination of the Year and Event Destination of the Year. St. Croix earned the title of Caribbean Culinary Destination of the Year, while local chef David "Benji" Benjamin was named Caribbean Chef of the Year. The territory also received global praise from Tripadvisor, which ranked Trunk Bay and Magens Bay among the top ten beaches in the world in its Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Awards. For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands and its offerings, please visit About the U.S. Virgin Islands About 40 miles east of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands comprise a United States territory located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The three islands are St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, where the capital of Charlotte Amalie is located. Perfect for leisure or business travel, the U.S. Virgin Islands features breathtaking, world-renowned beaches, an international marine industry, European architecture, and a burgeoning restaurant industry. No passports are required from U.S. citizens traveling from the U.S. mainland or Puerto Rico. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are equivalent to entering the United States from any international country. Upon departure, a passport is required for non-U.S. citizens. For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to follow us on Instagram (@visitusvi) and Twitter (@usvitourism), and become a fan on Facebook ( View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
The Courier
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Courier
10 pictures from a very wet Stirling Agricultural Show
Waterproofs and wellies were the order of the day at Stirling Agricultural Show. The elements were certainly unkind, but that didn't keep the event from going ahead at Gogar Mains Farm, Blairlogie. Those hardy souls who ventured out in the rain still had plenty to see and do. Cows, sheep, horses, vintage tractors, trade stands, a craft and lifestyle tent, kids' play corner and amusements defied the bad weather. Trade exhibitors included Gordon Construction,with one member of is 'hard core team' posted on Facebook they were 'here till the end'. The Courier photographer Kenny Smith was there with his camera.
Newsweek
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Michelle Obama Reveals Barack Obama White House 'Struggle'
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. Michelle Obama spoke out about husband Barack Obama's parenting "struggle" in the White House on a recent episode of her podcast. Newsweek reached out to Barack Obama's representative for comment via email outside regular working hours. The Context The Obamas wed in October, 1992, and they have two children together: daughters Malia Obama, 26, and Sasha Obama, 24. Barack Obama, 63, served as the 44th president of the United States, and the family lived in the White House from 2009 to 2017. What To Know During Wednesday's episode of Michelle Obama's podcast, IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson—which she co-hosts with her older brother, Craig Robinson—the former first lady, 61, chatted with Bruce Springsteen about parent-child relationships. Springsteen—whose nickname is "The Boss"—credited his wife, Patti Scialfa, for ensuring he had a healthy balance between working and parenting. The iconic singer is a father to Evan, Jessica and Samuel with Scialfa, and recalled her telling him that he was "screwing it up" and would "miss" key years of their development if he didn't change his routine. Barack Obama and Michelle Obama hold hands as they arrive for the Medal of Honor ceremony for U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti, after a ceremony in the East Room of the White... Barack Obama and Michelle Obama hold hands as they arrive for the Medal of Honor ceremony for U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti, after a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, on September 17, 2009 in Washington, D.C. More"You lose those years, they go by so fast," Michelle Obama said. "Barack didn't struggle in the way that you did, but you know, with a busy schedule, I used to—whenever I thought he wasn't doing enough, I'd start singing: 'Cats in the cradle and the silver spoon' because that song is so profound. 'When you coming home, [dad]? Don't know when.'" Cat's in the Cradle was a popular song in the 1970s by Harry Chapin. "I was like, 'You're going to look up, and the girls will be gone,'" Michelle Obama remembered telling him. "Because there is a little window that parents don't understand—a time when your children even want to be bothered with you." Springsteen added: "They're going to be gone, and they are not going to be taking you with them." The Becoming author noted that Barack Obama "is a tremendous father" despite the "grandeur" that surrounds him. She referred to her husband having to make "important, heavy decisions" while leaving that "at the door" before sitting down at the dinner table of the White House with his daughters. "It was important for both of us—for me and Barack—to carve out that time in those eight years when our girls were in their formative years," Michelle Obama said. "They lived longer, Malia and Sasha, in the White House than they've lived in any house. They were formed in that house and around that table in that residence, and it took a mighty effort to leave the grandeur at the door and to just be there and talk about fifth grade." What People Are Saying In the comments underneath the podcast on YouTube, fans praised Michelle Obama and Springsteen's conversation. YouTube user @ronismith9883 wrote in a comment with 44 likes, including one from Michelle Obama: "Two of America's best of the best!! Thank you for this!" @MonicaJenkins said in a note, which the attorney also liked: "Thank you both for making this show. I truly appreciate it and enjoy these episodes they enrich my life." @mariaa5572 added: "Thanks for bringing us these positive podcast interviews." @RheaHolms shared: "Such great advice from you both. Love this podcast." @RunningWithOC posted: "Powerful interview! Thanks for sharing this with us." What Happens Next New episodes of IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson are released on Wednesdays on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
