<p>A powerful explosion ripped through a Havana hotel in Cuba on Friday morning, claiming at least eight lives and leaving over 30 people injured.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p>Police and fire rescuers have been dispatched to the site and combing through rubble for survivors, as at least 13 people were reported to be missing, the presidency, in a tweet, quoted Havana Communist Party official Luis Antonio Torres Iribar.</p>

<p><o:p></o:p></p>

<p>"So far, eight people have died and about 30 are hospitalized," the Cuban presidency tweeted after the blast.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p>Images from the scene showed dark plumes of dust billowing into the air and leaving rubble strewn across the street in the historic centre of Havana.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p>Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel ruled out a bomb explosion and said that a gas leak is believed to be the cause of the blast at Hotel Saratoga. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p>Witnesses described a "massive blast," which appeared to destroy buses and cars outside the hotel in the centre of the city.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Video of Hotel Saratoga in Havana right now. <a href="https://t.co/U3qQPHFIH1">pic.twitter.com/U3qQPHFIH1</a></p>
— Patrick Oppmann CNN (@CNN_Oppmann) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNN_Oppmann/status/1522611674326388736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BREAKING: Major explosion damages historic hotel in Havana, Cuba; no word on injuries <a href="https://t.co/QyksoqI2fI">pic.twitter.com/QyksoqI2fI</a></p>
— BNO News (@BNONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/BNONews/status/1522604191394693123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>At least two ambulances and five fire trucks rushed to the hotel, and police cordoned off the area, dispersing people who swarmed to the site after hearing the blast, according to AFP.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p><o:p></o:p></p>

<p>The hotel, which was built in the 1930s, has 96 rooms and was reopened in 2005 after refurbishment, according to its website.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p>After being built as a warehouse in 1880, it was rebuilt as a hotel in 1933.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p>“Though we have not been able to verify the origin of its name, it is likely that it stems from the US resort town of Saratoga in the State of New York,” the hotel&nbsp;website states.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)<o:p></o:p></p>


A powerful explosion ripped through a Havana hotel in Cuba on Friday morning, claiming at least eight lives and leaving over 30 people injured. Police and fire rescuers have been dispatched to the site and combing through rubble for survivors, as at least 13 people were reported to be missing, the presidency, in a tweet, quoted Havana Communist Party official Luis Antonio Torres Iribar.

A powerful explosion ripped through a Havana hotel in Cuba on Friday morning, claiming at least eight lives and leaving over 30 people injured. Police and fire rescuers have been dispatched to the site and combing through rubble for survivors, as at least 13 people were reported to be missing, the presidency, in a tweet, quoted Havana Communist Party official Luis Antonio Torres Iribar. "So far, eight people have died and about 30 are hospitalized," the Cuban presidency tweeted after the blast. Images from the scene showed dark plumes of dust billowing into the air and leaving rubble strewn across the street in the historic centre of Havana. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel ruled out a bomb explosion and said that a gas leak is believed to be the cause of the blast at Hotel Saratoga. Witnesses described a "massive blast," which appeared to destroy buses and cars outside the hotel in the centre of the city. Video of Hotel Saratoga in Havana right now. pic.twitter.com/U3qQPHFIH1 — Patrick Oppmann CNN (@CNN_Oppmann) May 6, 2022 × BREAKING: Major explosion damages historic hotel in Havana, Cuba; no word on injuries pic.twitter.com/QyksoqI2fI — BNO News (@BNONews) May 6, 2022 × At least two ambulances and five fire trucks rushed to the hotel, and police cordoned off the area, dispersing people who swarmed to the site after hearing the blast, according to AFP. The hotel, which was built in the 1930s, has 96 rooms and was reopened in 2005 after refurbishment, according to its website. After being built as a warehouse in 1880, it was rebuilt as a hotel in 1933. “Though we have not been able to verify the origin of its name, it is likely that it stems from the US resort town of Saratoga in the State of New York,” the hotel website states. (With inputs from agencies)

At least 8 killed, 30 injured as powerful explosion obliterates Cuban hotel

<p>From his office at No. 10 Downing St., Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain places urgent daily calls to Ukraine’s wartime leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Next door, in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, officials draw up new sanctions against the Russian oligarchs who have turned London into a turnkey haven to hide their assets and house their extended families.</p>

<p>Yet just across Whitehall, a billionaire property developer is close to completing an extravagant conversion of the Old War Office, an Edwardian-era monument to Britain’s imperial past. The new property will be a five-star Raffles Hotel, with lavish residential apartments that would until recently have catered to the same ultrawealthy Russians who have abruptly fallen out of favor.</p>

<p>“We had a glut of Russian inquiries about six weeks ago, none of which materialized,” said Charlie Walsh, head of residential sales for the project. “The Russian market would have been quite significant. For obvious reasons, that has been completely nonexistent. Thankfully, from that point of view, as well.”</p>

<p>To say the project has strange timing understates its sheer incongruity. Opening at a time of war in Europe, the OWO — as the Old War Office has been delicately rebranded — is an evocative reminder of Britain’s wartime history. In the midst of a crackdown on rampant foreign money, it is also a baroque example of what postwar Britain has become and what the government is belatedly trying to clean up.</p>

<p>Rarely has a building been both so emblematic and yet so out of step with the times — a bricks-and-mortar manifestation of how London has, and hasn’t, changed.</p>

<p>The crosscurrents are not lost on Walsh, who works for the Hinduja Group, an Anglo-Indian conglomerate controlled by the Hinduja brothers, which has holdings in automotive manufacturing, oil and gas, and health care. He is trying to sell the building’s rich history to a superrich clientele without overdoing the warlike theme.</p>

<p>Instead, Walsh recalls the famous figures who worked in the Old War Office, from Winston Churchill to T.E. Lawrence, aka Lawrence of Arabia. He confides that John Profumo, secretary of state for war in the early 1960s, entertained his 19-year-old lover Christine Keeler in his wood-paneled office, which will be the centerpiece of a hotel suite. Their fling exploded into the “Profumo affair” after it emerged that Keeler had also had a sexual relationship with a Soviet diplomat.</p>

<p>Ian Fleming was in and out of the building during his time as a naval intelligence officer — a detail that is catnip to a salesman like Walsh, who hints that Fleming came up with the inspiration for his suave spy, James Bond, there. He shows a visitor the “Spies Entrance,” so-called because it is tucked discreetly at the rear of the building.</p>

<p>Numerous Bond films have used the Old War Office as a backdrop, most memorably at the end of the 2012 film “Skyfall,” when a brooding Daniel Craig gazes at its domed turrets from the roof of a neighboring building — Big Ben looming in the distance, framed by fluttering Union Jacks.</p>

<p>“Hate to waste a view,” Bond says, in words the developer has manifestly taken to heart.</p>

<p>The OWO is full of jaw-dropping vistas, with suites that look out to the Horse Guards Parade across the street or south to the Houses of Parliament. There is a three-story Champagne bar overlooking a courtyard and a glass-roofed restaurant. Two of the penthouse apartments have rooms built into the turrets.</p>

<p>All that splendor — the wood paneling, the intricately carved marble fireplaces, the original mosaic floors — isn’t cheap. The 85 apartments start at 5.8 million pounds ($7.6 million) and go up to 100 million pounds ($131 million). Walsh has sold about one-quarter of the units and said he was confident he would sell half by the time the OWO opens at the end of this year or early in 2023.</p>

<p>The war in Ukraine, and the stain of hidden, ill-gotten Russian wealth, is not even the biggest challenge to marketing these oligarch-scale apartments. Travel restrictions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic have made it harder for prospective buyers from Asia and the Middle East to visit London. As a result, many of Walsh’s early sales have been to Americans and Europeans. The spike in oil prices, he said, would probably help lift the market for buyers in the Gulf countries.</p>

<p>Though he does not say so explicitly, Walsh is clearly relieved that Russian buyers have been sidelined. The threat of sanctions, which could lead to their assets being frozen, spares him a difficult choice. He insists that more stringent “know your customer” regulations in the last few years have made it “nigh on impossible for dirty money to come into these new projects.”</p>

<p>That seems optimistic: Transparency International, which campaigns against corruption, estimates that 6.7 billion pounds ($8.8 billion) of dubious foreign funds have poured into British property since 2016, including 1.5 billion pounds from Russians accused of corruption or links to the Kremlin. A new law aims to make it harder for wealthy foreigners to disguise their ownership of real estate or use it to launder money.</p>

<p>Despite this crackdown, and the complications of Brexit, Walsh predicted that London would remain an alluring destination for the superrich. Two years of pandemic — of “not being able to exercise their retail therapy,” he said — had generated pent-up demand for multithousand-dollar-a-night hotel rooms and multimillion-dollar apartments.</p>

<p>The Old War Office, which was completed in 1906, is not the only London landmark that is being converted into a luxury hotel. The Admiralty Arch, which sits between Trafalgar Square and The Mall, is being turned into a Waldorf Astoria. The former U.S. Embassy on Grosvenor Square, a midcentury-modernist classic designed by Earo Saarinen, is being converted into a Rosewood Hotel.</p>

<p>For critics, private takeovers of public buildings have gone too far, particularly in the case of Admiralty Arch, a majestic edifice that has languished for years as a construction site, blighting the view toward Buckingham Palace.</p>

<p>“It’s an absolute scandal,” said Simon Jenkins, a columnist for the Guardian and author of “A Short History of London.” “It should be used for government offices. Are they going to do Downing Street next?” (A smart-aleck might note that the prime minister’s residence was regularly used as a party space during the pandemic — a violation of lockdown rules that has put Johnson into political peril).</p>

<p>Selling off distinguished public buildings for hotels or high-end apartments would be hard to imagine in a city like Paris. But in London, “a dispassionate approach to the great buildings of state is not as strange as it would seem,” said Tony Travers, an expert in urban affairs at the London School of Economics.</p>

<p>“Britain, which is a very traditional country in many ways, has the capacity to be very untraditional in other ways,” he said. “There’s a willingness to reject tradition when it is seen as pragmatically necessary.”</p>

<p>Travers pointed out that a fiscally strapped government was unlikely to take as good care of these buildings as private owners. The Palace of Westminster sits in a state of dangerous decay, with chunks of masonry tumbling off its walls, as Parliament bickers over a renovation that could take decades and cost more than $20 billion.</p>

<p>The Ministry of Defense, which moved into larger quarters in 1964, sold a 250-year lease to the Old War Office for 350 million pounds ($460 million) in 2016. The Hindujas have poured more than 1 billion pounds into it, with 1,200 workers laboring on the site.</p>

<p>“This is a very expensive capital-intensive project,” Walsh said, as he showed where a Versailles-scale chandelier will hang over the grand staircase. “Without private investment, very simply, these buildings would be left to rot and die.”</p>


From his office at No. 10 Downing St., Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain places urgent daily calls to Ukraine’s wartime leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Next door, in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, officials draw up new sanctions against the Russian oligarchs who have turned London into a turnkey haven to hide their assets and house their extended families.

From his office at No. 10 Downing St., Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain places urgent daily calls to Ukraine’s wartime leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Next door, in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, officials draw up new sanctions against the Russian oligarchs who have turned London into a turnkey haven to hide their assets and house their extended families. Yet just across Whitehall, a billionaire property developer is close to completing an extravagant conversion of the Old War Office, an Edwardian-era monument to Britain’s imperial past. The new property will be a five-star Raffles Hotel, with lavish residential apartments that would until recently have catered to the same ultrawealthy Russians who have abruptly fallen out of favor. “We had a glut of Russian inquiries about six weeks ago, none of which materialized,” said Charlie Walsh, head of residential sales for the project. “The Russian market would have been quite significant. For obvious reasons, that has been completely nonexistent. Thankfully, from that point of view, as well.” To say the project has strange timing understates its sheer incongruity. Opening at a time of war in Europe, the OWO — as the Old War Office has been delicately rebranded — is an evocative reminder of Britain’s wartime history. In the midst of a crackdown on rampant foreign money, it is also a baroque example of what postwar Britain has become and what the government is belatedly trying to clean up. Rarely has a building been both so emblematic and yet so out of step with the times — a bricks-and-mortar manifestation of how London has, and hasn’t, changed. The crosscurrents are not lost on Walsh, who works for the Hinduja Group, an Anglo-Indian conglomerate controlled by the Hinduja brothers, which has holdings in automotive manufacturing, oil and gas, and health care. He is trying to sell the building’s rich history to a superrich clientele without overdoing the warlike theme. Instead, Walsh recalls the famous figures who worked in the Old War Office, from Winston Churchill to T.E. Lawrence, aka Lawrence of Arabia. He confides that John Profumo, secretary of state for war in the early 1960s, entertained his 19-year-old lover Christine Keeler in his wood-paneled office, which will be the centerpiece of a hotel suite. Their fling exploded into the “Profumo affair” after it emerged that Keeler had also had a sexual relationship with a Soviet diplomat. Ian Fleming was in and out of the building during his time as a naval intelligence officer — a detail that is catnip to a salesman like Walsh, who hints that Fleming came up with the inspiration for his suave spy, James Bond, there. He shows a visitor the “Spies Entrance,” so-called because it is tucked discreetly at the rear of the building. Numerous Bond films have used the Old War Office as a backdrop, most memorably at the end of the 2012 film “Skyfall,” when a brooding Daniel Craig gazes at its domed turrets from the roof of a neighboring building — Big Ben looming in the distance, framed by fluttering Union Jacks. “Hate to waste a view,” Bond says, in words the developer has manifestly taken to heart. The OWO is full of jaw-dropping vistas, with suites that look out to the Horse Guards Parade across the street or south to the Houses of Parliament. There is a three-story Champagne bar overlooking a courtyard and a glass-roofed restaurant. Two of the penthouse apartments have rooms built into the turrets. All that splendor — the wood paneling, the intricately carved marble fireplaces, the original mosaic floors — isn’t cheap. The 85 apartments start at 5.8 million pounds ($7.6 million) and go up to 100 million pounds ($131 million). Walsh has sold about one-quarter of the units and said he was confident he would sell half by the time the OWO opens at the end of this year or early in 2023. The war in Ukraine, and the stain of hidden, ill-gotten Russian wealth, is not even the biggest challenge to marketing these oligarch-scale apartments. Travel restrictions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic have made it harder for prospective buyers from Asia and the Middle East to visit London. As a result, many of Walsh’s early sales have been to Americans and Europeans. The spike in oil prices, he said, would probably help lift the market for buyers in the Gulf countries. Though he does not say so explicitly, Walsh is clearly relieved that Russian buyers have been sidelined. The threat of sanctions, which could lead to their assets being frozen, spares him a difficult choice. He insists that more stringent “know your customer” regulations in the last few years have made it “nigh on impossible for dirty money to come into these new projects.” That seems optimistic: Transparency International, which campaigns against corruption, estimates that 6.7 billion pounds ($8.8 billion) of dubious foreign funds have poured into British property since 2016, including 1.5 billion pounds from Russians accused of corruption or links to the Kremlin. A new law aims to make it harder for wealthy foreigners to disguise their ownership of real estate or use it to launder money. Despite this crackdown, and the complications of Brexit, Walsh predicted that London would remain an alluring destination for the superrich. Two years of pandemic — of “not being able to exercise their retail therapy,” he said — had generated pent-up demand for multithousand-dollar-a-night hotel rooms and multimillion-dollar apartments. The Old War Office, which was completed in 1906, is not the only London landmark that is being converted into a luxury hotel. The Admiralty Arch, which sits between Trafalgar Square and The Mall, is being turned into a Waldorf Astoria. The former U.S. Embassy on Grosvenor Square, a midcentury-modernist classic designed by Earo Saarinen, is being converted into a Rosewood Hotel. For critics, private takeovers of public buildings have gone too far, particularly in the case of Admiralty Arch, a majestic edifice that has languished for years as a construction site, blighting the view toward Buckingham Palace. “It’s an absolute scandal,” said Simon Jenkins, a columnist for the Guardian and author of “A Short History of London.” “It should be used for government offices. Are they going to do Downing Street next?” (A smart-aleck might note that the prime minister’s residence was regularly used as a party space during the pandemic — a violation of lockdown rules that has put Johnson into political peril). Selling off distinguished public buildings for hotels or high-end apartments would be hard to imagine in a city like Paris. But in London, “a dispassionate approach to the great buildings of state is not as strange as it would seem,” said Tony Travers, an expert in urban affairs at the London School of Economics. “Britain, which is a very traditional country in many ways, has the capacity to be very untraditional in other ways,” he said. “There’s a willingness to reject tradition when it is seen as pragmatically necessary.” Travers pointed out that a fiscally strapped government was unlikely to take as good care of these buildings as private owners. The Palace of Westminster sits in a state of dangerous decay, with chunks of masonry tumbling off its walls, as Parliament bickers over a renovation that could take decades and cost more than $20 billion. The Ministry of Defense, which moved into larger quarters in 1964, sold a 250-year lease to the Old War Office for 350 million pounds ($460 million) in 2016. The Hindujas have poured more than 1 billion pounds into it, with 1,200 workers laboring on the site. “This is a very expensive capital-intensive project,” Walsh said, as he showed where a Versailles-scale chandelier will hang over the grand staircase. “Without private investment, very simply, these buildings would be left to rot and die.”

Amid war, a lavish hotel will open in Britain’s old war office

In Pics | Tokyo hotel comes up with 'Lantern dining experience' to ensure safety amid a surge in cases

<p>One person was killed and four were injured after a shooting at a hotel in Northwest Washington. The incident took place during a party in a room.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shots were fired around 3:30 am at Days Inn hotel, which is located on 4400 Connecticut Avenue NW, in the Van Ness neighbourhood.&nbsp;</p>

<p>DC police department, on their Twitter handle, wrote, "MPD has located four adult female shooting victims related to this incident at the Days Inn."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The department further added that another female victim "in grave condition has been pronounced deceased."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/breaking?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#breaking</a> Multiple people shot 4400 Connecticut Ave NW DC. We are live with the latest. <a href="https://t.co/Kmk55t6i5g">pic.twitter.com/Kmk55t6i5g</a></p>
— Darcy Spencer (@darcyspencer) <a href="https://twitter.com/darcyspencer/status/1486650073933090816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>DC Police Chief Robert Contee said that it was not immediately clear what led up to the shooting, but the police are working quickly to resolve the case.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-to-reduce-quarantine-period-for-arrivals-to-14-days-448155"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Hong Kong to reduce quarantine period for arrivals to 14 days</strong></a></p>

<p>The officers believe that they have identified most of the people involved.</p>

<p>“They came into the District of Columbia, possibly from Maryland, they rented a room, it may have been just some kind of social interaction going on and one thing led to another that resulted in this shooting,” Contee said in a report by local news channel NBC.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police commander Duncan Bedlion while speaking to a local news channel said that they had received "complaints from the community" about the hotel in the past.</p>

<p>"We receive complaints related to drug activity and that's something we actively work to address with the community," he said.</p>

<p>The area was sealed for police investigation and it opened at 7 am.&nbsp;</p>

<p>No suspect has been identified so far.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


One person was killed and four were injured after a shooting at a hotel in Northwest Washington. The incident took place during a party in a room. Shots were fired around 3:30 am at Days Inn hotel, which is located on 4400 Connecticut Avenue NW, in the Van Ness neighbourhood.

One person was killed and four were injured after a shooting at a hotel in Northwest Washington. The incident took place during a party in a room. Shots were fired around 3:30 am at Days Inn hotel, which is located on 4400 Connecticut Avenue NW, in the Van Ness neighbourhood. DC police department, on their Twitter handle, wrote, "MPD has located four adult female shooting victims related to this incident at the Days Inn." The department further added that another female victim "in grave condition has been pronounced deceased." #breaking Multiple people shot 4400 Connecticut Ave NW DC. We are live with the latest. pic.twitter.com/Kmk55t6i5g — Darcy Spencer (@darcyspencer) January 27, 2022 × DC Police Chief Robert Contee said that it was not immediately clear what led up to the shooting, but the police are working quickly to resolve the case. Also read | Hong Kong to reduce quarantine period for arrivals to 14 days The officers believe that they have identified most of the people involved. “They came into the District of Columbia, possibly from Maryland, they rented a room, it may have been just some kind of social interaction going on and one thing led to another that resulted in this shooting,” Contee said in a report by local news channel NBC. Police commander Duncan Bedlion while speaking to a local news channel said that they had received "complaints from the community" about the hotel in the past. "We receive complaints related to drug activity and that's something we actively work to address with the community," he said. The area was sealed for police investigation and it opened at 7 am. No suspect has been identified so far. (With inputs from agencies)

At least one dead, 4 injured after shooting in Washington hotel

Anti-apartheid legend Nelson Mandela's home is now turned into a boutique hotel; his bedroom has been converted into a presidential suite with other transformations. The Mandela foundation that owns the building states that it is a new way to secure Mandela's legacy.

Nelson Mandela's home is now a boutique hotel

The concerns over the Omicron Coronavirus variant and fresh travel restrictions have led to a spark in hotel booking cancellations globally. It has been said by online hotel search firm Trivago who said that this is threatening to upend the fragile recovery in tourism.

Coronavirus' fresh travel restrictions have led to a spark in hotel booking cancellations

<p>The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and the Indian Railways have introduced the “pod concept” of bed-sized rooms at the Mumbai Central railway station. The rooms aim at making people's journey "comfortable and easy," said the Ministry of Railways.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Travelling by train on a short business trip or taking a group of students on a tour, POD rooms at Mumbai Central station are here to make your journey comfortable and easy. <a href="https://t.co/7yfbSfeZ9g">pic.twitter.com/7yfbSfeZ9g</a></p>
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/RailMinIndia/status/1460852148636303362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sneak Peek!<br />
Welcome to the new-age Pod retiring rooms by <a href="https://twitter.com/RailMinIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RailMinIndia</a> at Mumbai Central. <a href="https://t.co/NR7OCsxYeg">pic.twitter.com/NR7OCsxYeg</a></p>
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) <a href="https://twitter.com/AshwiniVaishnaw/status/1460994254923128836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>A pod hotel comprises various small capsule-like rooms. The aim is to provide affordable overnight accommodation for those who cannot afford it otherwise. "Travelling by train on a short business trip or taking a group of students on a tour, POD rooms at Mumbai Central station are here to make your journey comfortable and easy," the Ministry of Railways wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The facility at Mumbai Central has a total of 48 pods, which are further divided into three categories - 30 classics, 7 ladies only, 10 private. One is for the differently-abled.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-unruly-us-tourists-break-into-colosseum-get-eu800-fine-for-enjoying-beer-430160"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Two unruly US tourists break into Colosseum, get €800 fine for ‘enjoying’ beer</strong></a></p>

<p>As per IRCTC, the tariffs will vary, based on requirements. It will be around ₹999 per person for 12 hours, going up to ₹1,999 per person for 24 hours.</p>

<p>The first pod hotel on the Indian Railways was inaugurated virtually by the Union minister of state for Railways Raosaheb Danve from the Churchgate station in south Mumbai. The minister also inaugurated various passenger amenities.</p>

<p>The concept of a pod hotel originates from Japan. They include various facilities like WiFi, air conditioning, key card access, washrooms and CCTV surveillance.&nbsp;</p>


The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and the Indian Railways have introduced the “pod concept” of bed-sized rooms at the Mumbai Central railway station.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and the Indian Railways have introduced the “pod concept” of bed-sized rooms at the Mumbai Central railway station. The rooms aim at making people's journey "comfortable and easy," said the Ministry of Railways. Travelling by train on a short business trip or taking a group of students on a tour, POD rooms at Mumbai Central station are here to make your journey comfortable and easy. pic.twitter.com/7yfbSfeZ9g — Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) November 17, 2021 × Sneak Peek! Welcome to the new-age Pod retiring rooms by @RailMinIndia at Mumbai Central. pic.twitter.com/NR7OCsxYeg — Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) November 17, 2021 × A pod hotel comprises various small capsule-like rooms. The aim is to provide affordable overnight accommodation for those who cannot afford it otherwise. "Travelling by train on a short business trip or taking a group of students on a tour, POD rooms at Mumbai Central station are here to make your journey comfortable and easy," the Ministry of Railways wrote on Twitter. The facility at Mumbai Central has a total of 48 pods, which are further divided into three categories - 30 classics, 7 ladies only, 10 private. One is for the differently-abled. Also read | Two unruly US tourists break into Colosseum, get €800 fine for ‘enjoying’ beer As per IRCTC, the tariffs will vary, based on requirements. It will be around ₹999 per person for 12 hours, going up to ₹1,999 per person for 24 hours. The first pod hotel on the Indian Railways was inaugurated virtually by the Union minister of state for Railways Raosaheb Danve from the Churchgate station in south Mumbai. The minister also inaugurated various passenger amenities. The concept of a pod hotel originates from Japan. They include various facilities like WiFi, air conditioning, key card access, washrooms and CCTV surveillance.

'Comfortable and easy': First 'pod hotel' inaugurated at Mumbai Central railway station

Former President Donald Trump's family has reached a deal to sell the rights to its Washington DC hotel for 375 million dollars.

United States: Donald Trump reaches $375M deal to sell Washington DC hotel

<p>Afghans who recently arrived in the UK, after fleeing the Taliban takeover have asked to be sent back. This is casting doubt over the success of Operation Warm Welcome, which was launched by Boris Johnson on August 29 to help Afghan refugees arriving in the UK by providing support so that they could “rebuild their lives, find work, pursue education and integrate into their local communities”.</p>

<p>A widespread lack of housing means hotels have been seized as emergency temporary accommodation for 7,000 Afghan refugees.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Home Office officials have admitted that some will be held in the accommodation for months.<br />
One doctor, who has been working with the newly arrived Afghans for weeks but who requested anonymity was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "I’ve had a few patients telling me they want to go home. One guy, who was 67, kept saying: ‘I can’t take this any more. I have to get out of this [hotel] room."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/thousands-of-afghans-receive-assistance-un-agency-419569"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Thousands of Afghans receive assistance: UN agency</strong></a></p>

<p>There have also been concerns over health care for those held in hotels after their evacuation from Kabul airport as one charity described confusion over access to local GPs.</p>

<p>One council leader described the government’s programme as a “shocking failure”.</p>

<p>Councillor Danny Thorpe of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, south-east London accused the government officials of not providing enough support. Thorpe was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "This was one of the most shocking failures of the government that I ever encountered."</p>

<p>Jill O’Leary, lead doctor at the Helen Bamber Foundation, which is working with 650 clients, said the situation was “muddled and confused."</p>

<p>She revealed that certain contractors at hotels were unaware they were obligated to help Afghans register with a GP and explain their entitlements. “When we consider the needs of people, there seems to be a blind spot with the Home Office when it comes to vulnerability,” she said.</p>


Afghans who recently arrived in the UK, after fleeing the Taliban takeover have asked to be sent back. This is casting doubt over the success of Operation Warm Welcome, which was launched by Boris Johnson on August 29 to help Afghan refugees arriving in the UK by providing support so that they could “rebuild their lives, find work, pursue education and integrate into their local communities”.

Afghans who recently arrived in the UK, after fleeing the Taliban takeover have asked to be sent back. This is casting doubt over the success of Operation Warm Welcome, which was launched by Boris Johnson on August 29 to help Afghan refugees arriving in the UK by providing support so that they could “rebuild their lives, find work, pursue education and integrate into their local communities”. A widespread lack of housing means hotels have been seized as emergency temporary accommodation for 7,000 Afghan refugees. The Home Office officials have admitted that some will be held in the accommodation for months. One doctor, who has been working with the newly arrived Afghans for weeks but who requested anonymity was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "I’ve had a few patients telling me they want to go home. One guy, who was 67, kept saying: ‘I can’t take this any more. I have to get out of this [hotel] room." Also read | Thousands of Afghans receive assistance: UN agency There have also been concerns over health care for those held in hotels after their evacuation from Kabul airport as one charity described confusion over access to local GPs. One council leader described the government’s programme as a “shocking failure”. Councillor Danny Thorpe of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, south-east London accused the government officials of not providing enough support. Thorpe was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "This was one of the most shocking failures of the government that I ever encountered." Jill O’Leary, lead doctor at the Helen Bamber Foundation, which is working with 650 clients, said the situation was “muddled and confused." She revealed that certain contractors at hotels were unaware they were obligated to help Afghans register with a GP and explain their entitlements. “When we consider the needs of people, there seems to be a blind spot with the Home Office when it comes to vulnerability,” she said.

Afghan refugees stuck in UK hotels asked to be sent back

<p>The hotel industry demand has recovered at a sharper pace post Covid 2.0 than it did after last year's lockdown. Occupancies and average room rates (ARRs) have seen a substantial jump, especially in luxury hotels and resort destinations, where they have breached pre-Covid levels.</p>

<p>An ICRA report has pointed out that the recovery was hastened by the easing of restrictions in Q2 FY2022. The ratings agency, though, did not change its negative outlook on the industry because it remains to be seen if the demand pickup can be sustained. A potential third wave and its impact on travel and hotel occupancies cannot be ruled out, according to the report.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/they-had-the-vaccines-and-a-plan-to-reopen-instead-they-got-cold-feet-419189">They had the vaccines and a plan to reopen. Instead they got cold feet.</a></strong></p>

<p>The partial lockdown as well as travel restrictions in a number of states in April-May 2021 post the onset of Covid 2.0 resulted in the ICRA sample of companies reporting a 56 per cent decline in revenues on a QoQ basis, in line with the ratings agency's estimates. The revenues of these companies, though, are likely to improve by 85-90 per cent sequentially in Q2 FY2022, the ICRA report said.</p>

<p>Occupancy in premium hotels across India picked up in August 2021, rising to 44-46 per cent, compared with 32-34 per cent in the first five months of FY2022 (5M FY2022) and 13-15 per cent in 5M FY2021). In comparison, the occupancy level was 46-48 per cent in Q4 FY2021.</p>

<p>Rising occupancies are still to impact the average room rates (ARRs), according to the ICRA report. Pan-India, the ARRs were in the Rs 3,850-3,950 range for 5M FY2022, which were 25-30 per cent lower than their pre-Covid levels. The Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) figures also are still significantly lower than pre-Covid levels.</p>

<p>Some high-end hotels and leisure destinations bucked the trend, however, seeing their ARRs return to pre-Covid levels in Aug-September 2021. The ICRA report expressed the hope that festive season travel would act as a key demand booster for the industry in Q3 FY2022.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-quarantine-for-fully-vaccinated-indians-in-uk-from-october-11-british-envoy-418989">No quarantine for fully vaccinated Indians in UK from October 11: British envoy</a></strong></p>

<p>Sharing more insights, Vinutaa S, Assistant Vice President and Sector Head, ICRA Limited, said: "The first few months were impacted, but the industry witnessed a faster-than-expected ramp-up in Q2 FY2021 because of the easing of restrictions, the higher rate of vaccination and pent-up demand, which resulted in revenge travel. Demand in the last few months has come from staycations, weddings and travel to driveable leisure destinations, and from special purpose groups. There is also the new trend of `biscations` (working from a resort) that is picking up."</p>

<p>Continuing with her analysis, Vinutaa said: "Business travel pickup from specific sectors has been mainly to manufacturing locations and project sites." In conclusion, she said, "We are seeing real demand pickup."</p>

<p>She was quick, though, to add the caveat that "the situation is evolving and sustenance of demand will depend on the efficacy of the vaccines and a potential third Covid wave." She concluded by adding: "The industry at present is cautiously optimistic."</p>

<p>Most markets, notably Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Goa, reported over 50 per cent occupancy in July-August 2021, but Bangalore and Pune lagged behind. The ARRs in leisure destinations were above pre-Covid levels in July-August 21. Going forward, ARRs will be a function of how much of this rising demand can be sustained.</p>

<p>The demand recovery pattern is different than in the case of previous crises, with properties affiliated with strong brands and in the luxury segment standing to benefit, as trust and safety are paramount to guests. Drive-to leisure, staycations, weddings and special purpose groups are expected to drive revenues for the next one year at least.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-tourism-surges-in-july-but-falls-short-of-pre-covid-levels-418165">World tourism surges in July, but falls short of pre-Covid levels</a></strong></p>

<p>International traffic arrivals will take time to pick up. In the intervening period, demand will be supported by domestic travel. Hotels and cities dependent on business travel and foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) will take considerable time to recover.</p>

<p>In terms of supply, in the immediate term, temporary shutdowns are possible in affected regions, if there is a third wave. Acquisitions and industry consolidation are the way forward, and rebranding in the mid-scale and upscale segments will add to the share of organised supply. Over the medium term, a part of pre-Covid supply may be permanently shelved, while there could be new properties coming up in leisure destinations.</p>

<p>"The hotel industry is expected to clock at least 45-50 per cent of pre-Covid revenues in FY2022," Vinutaa of ICRA said. "Further operating profits in the current fiscal will be aided by improved operating leverage and sustenance of some of the cost-optimisation measures undertaken in the last fiscal."</p>

<p>She added that the industry is likely to be able to reach pre-Covid revenue and profit levels only by FY2024. As a result of cost-saving measures, moreover, the breakeven time is likely to come down and hotels may see a return to the pre-Covid margins of 85-90 per cent of revenues going forward. "Nevertheless, the situation is still evolving and the estimates are contingent on timelines tied to the pandemic," she said.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blood-sweat-no-beers-sydney-set-to-ease-key-covid-19-curbs-419558">'Blood, sweat, no beers': Sydney set to ease key COVID-19 curbs</a></strong></p>

<p>Debt moratorium and the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) provided the financial support that the industry needed during the pandemic.</p>

<p>About 70 per cent of the entities in ICRA's hospitality portfolio availed of the moratorium during the first wave, though it was only 39 per cent of rated debt. Some companies raised funding through equity and debt tie-ups before the ECLGS announcement. The industry has raised about Rs 660 crore of equity in FY2021 and has announced equity/fund raising plans worth Rs 3,300 crore in FY2022.</p>

<p>ICRA expects further equity fund raising and asset monetisation to support capital structure improvement going forward. Debt metrics, however, are expected to return to pre-Covid levels only over the medium term, while RoCE is like to remain sub cost-of capital at least for the next few years.</p>


The hotel industry demand has recovered at a sharper pace post Covid 2.0 than it did after last year's lockdown. Occupancies and average room rates (ARRs) have seen a substantial jump, especially in luxury hotels and resort destinations, where they have breached pre-Covid levels.

The hotel industry demand has recovered at a sharper pace post Covid 2.0 than it did after last year's lockdown. Occupancies and average room rates (ARRs) have seen a substantial jump, especially in luxury hotels and resort destinations, where they have breached pre-Covid levels. An ICRA report has pointed out that the recovery was hastened by the easing of restrictions in Q2 FY2022. The ratings agency, though, did not change its negative outlook on the industry because it remains to be seen if the demand pickup can be sustained. A potential third wave and its impact on travel and hotel occupancies cannot be ruled out, according to the report. Also Read | They had the vaccines and a plan to reopen. Instead they got cold feet. The partial lockdown as well as travel restrictions in a number of states in April-May 2021 post the onset of Covid 2.0 resulted in the ICRA sample of companies reporting a 56 per cent decline in revenues on a QoQ basis, in line with the ratings agency's estimates. The revenues of these companies, though, are likely to improve by 85-90 per cent sequentially in Q2 FY2022, the ICRA report said. Occupancy in premium hotels across India picked up in August 2021, rising to 44-46 per cent, compared with 32-34 per cent in the first five months of FY2022 (5M FY2022) and 13-15 per cent in 5M FY2021). In comparison, the occupancy level was 46-48 per cent in Q4 FY2021. Rising occupancies are still to impact the average room rates (ARRs), according to the ICRA report. Pan-India, the ARRs were in the Rs 3,850-3,950 range for 5M FY2022, which were 25-30 per cent lower than their pre-Covid levels. The Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) figures also are still significantly lower than pre-Covid levels. Some high-end hotels and leisure destinations bucked the trend, however, seeing their ARRs return to pre-Covid levels in Aug-September 2021. The ICRA report expressed the hope that festive season travel would act as a key demand booster for the industry in Q3 FY2022. Also Read | No quarantine for fully vaccinated Indians in UK from October 11: British envoy Sharing more insights, Vinutaa S, Assistant Vice President and Sector Head, ICRA Limited, said: "The first few months were impacted, but the industry witnessed a faster-than-expected ramp-up in Q2 FY2021 because of the easing of restrictions, the higher rate of vaccination and pent-up demand, which resulted in revenge travel. Demand in the last few months has come from staycations, weddings and travel to driveable leisure destinations, and from special purpose groups. There is also the new trend of `biscations` (working from a resort) that is picking up." Continuing with her analysis, Vinutaa said: "Business travel pickup from specific sectors has been mainly to manufacturing locations and project sites." In conclusion, she said, "We are seeing real demand pickup." She was quick, though, to add the caveat that "the situation is evolving and sustenance of demand will depend on the efficacy of the vaccines and a potential third Covid wave." She concluded by adding: "The industry at present is cautiously optimistic." Most markets, notably Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Goa, reported over 50 per cent occupancy in July-August 2021, but Bangalore and Pune lagged behind. The ARRs in leisure destinations were above pre-Covid levels in July-August 21. Going forward, ARRs will be a function of how much of this rising demand can be sustained. The demand recovery pattern is different than in the case of previous crises, with properties affiliated with strong brands and in the luxury segment standing to benefit, as trust and safety are paramount to guests. Drive-to leisure, staycations, weddings and special purpose groups are expected to drive revenues for the next one year at least. Also Read | World tourism surges in July, but falls short of pre-Covid levels International traffic arrivals will take time to pick up. In the intervening period, demand will be supported by domestic travel. Hotels and cities dependent on business travel and foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) will take considerable time to recover. In terms of supply, in the immediate term, temporary shutdowns are possible in affected regions, if there is a third wave. Acquisitions and industry consolidation are the way forward, and rebranding in the mid-scale and upscale segments will add to the share of organised supply. Over the medium term, a part of pre-Covid supply may be permanently shelved, while there could be new properties coming up in leisure destinations. "The hotel industry is expected to clock at least 45-50 per cent of pre-Covid revenues in FY2022," Vinutaa of ICRA said. "Further operating profits in the current fiscal will be aided by improved operating leverage and sustenance of some of the cost-optimisation measures undertaken in the last fiscal." She added that the industry is likely to be able to reach pre-Covid revenue and profit levels only by FY2024. As a result of cost-saving measures, moreover, the breakeven time is likely to come down and hotels may see a return to the pre-Covid margins of 85-90 per cent of revenues going forward. "Nevertheless, the situation is still evolving and the estimates are contingent on timelines tied to the pandemic," she said. Also Read | 'Blood, sweat, no beers': Sydney set to ease key COVID-19 curbs Debt moratorium and the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) provided the financial support that the industry needed during the pandemic. About 70 per cent of the entities in ICRA's hospitality portfolio availed of the moratorium during the first wave, though it was only 39 per cent of rated debt. Some companies raised funding through equity and debt tie-ups before the ECLGS announcement. The industry has raised about Rs 660 crore of equity in FY2021 and has announced equity/fund raising plans worth Rs 3,300 crore in FY2022. ICRA expects further equity fund raising and asset monetisation to support capital structure improvement going forward. Debt metrics, however, are expected to return to pre-Covid levels only over the medium term, while RoCE is like to remain sub cost-of capital at least for the next few years.

Luxury hotels, resorts lead industry's faster-than-expected recovery post Covid 2.0

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{92f6d8a7-9a65-41d8-8c9d-850b6c713ca4}{214}" paraid="1529871849" >A Tokyo hotel has&nbsp;apologised&nbsp;and removed signs saying "Japanese only" and "foreigners only" from elevators after the anti-COVID-19 precaution sparked outrage on social media ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{12383ac9-5ebe-4ba5-bdaf-4f01dfe0145d}{100}" paraid="1589145109" >Tokyo entered a state of emergency on Monday amid concerns that an influx of tens of thousands of athletes and officials during the July 23-August 8 Games will spread the coronavirus, cases of which are already rising in the Japanese capital.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{12383ac9-5ebe-4ba5-bdaf-4f01dfe0145d}{107}" paraid="495480337" >Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu in downtown Tokyo put up the signs on Friday in response to guidance from Tokyo 2020&nbsp;organisers&nbsp;to ensure the movements of guests related to the Games were separated from others staying at the hotel, a hotel official told Reuters on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{12383ac9-5ebe-4ba5-bdaf-4f01dfe0145d}{114}" paraid="1867518151" >The official, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the subject, said there was no intention to discriminate against foreigners.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{12383ac9-5ebe-4ba5-bdaf-4f01dfe0145d}{121}" paraid="803964479" >"We tried to make it easy to understand but ended up causing misunderstanding," the official said. He said the signs were removed on Sunday morning and the hotel was now discussing with its headquarters what expression to use instead.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{12383ac9-5ebe-4ba5-bdaf-4f01dfe0145d}{128}" paraid="1632409225" >The signs triggered harsh criticism on social media, with one Twitter user tweeting "Apartheid has been revived in Japan".&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{12383ac9-5ebe-4ba5-bdaf-4f01dfe0145d}{135}" paraid="1310255372" >Another likened the signs to US "Jim Crow" measures, since struck down by courts, designed to keep Blacks from voting in the US Deep South.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{12383ac9-5ebe-4ba5-bdaf-4f01dfe0145d}{142}" paraid="710959094" >"The virus has nothing to do with nationality," tweeted Twitter user Anna.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{12383ac9-5ebe-4ba5-bdaf-4f01dfe0145d}{149}" paraid="2017726160" >Japan has not seen the explosive coronavirus outbreak seen elsewhere but has recorded more than 815,440 cases and nearly 15,000 deaths. Tokyo alone recorded 614 new cases on Sunday, the 22nd straight day of week-on-week gains.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{12383ac9-5ebe-4ba5-bdaf-4f01dfe0145d}{156}" paraid="182209372" >Japan's vaccination rollout got off to a slow start and although it later accelerated, supply glitches are causing it to stumble. Only about 28% of the population have received at least one vaccine shot.&nbsp;</p>


A Tokyo hotel has apologised and removed signs saying "Japanese only" and "foreigners only" from elevators after the anti-COVID-19 precaution sparked outrage on social media ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics.

A Tokyo hotel has apologised and removed signs saying "Japanese only" and "foreigners only" from elevators after the anti-COVID-19 precaution sparked outrage on social media ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics. Tokyo entered a state of emergency on Monday amid concerns that an influx of tens of thousands of athletes and officials during the July 23-August 8 Games will spread the coronavirus, cases of which are already rising in the Japanese capital. Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu in downtown Tokyo put up the signs on Friday in response to guidance from Tokyo 2020 organisers to ensure the movements of guests related to the Games were separated from others staying at the hotel, a hotel official told Reuters on Monday. The official, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the subject, said there was no intention to discriminate against foreigners. "We tried to make it easy to understand but ended up causing misunderstanding," the official said. He said the signs were removed on Sunday morning and the hotel was now discussing with its headquarters what expression to use instead. The signs triggered harsh criticism on social media, with one Twitter user tweeting "Apartheid has been revived in Japan". Another likened the signs to US "Jim Crow" measures, since struck down by courts, designed to keep Blacks from voting in the US Deep South. "The virus has nothing to do with nationality," tweeted Twitter user Anna. Japan has not seen the explosive coronavirus outbreak seen elsewhere but has recorded more than 815,440 cases and nearly 15,000 deaths. Tokyo alone recorded 614 new cases on Sunday, the 22nd straight day of week-on-week gains. Japan's vaccination rollout got off to a slow start and although it later accelerated, supply glitches are causing it to stumble. Only about 28% of the population have received at least one vaccine shot.

Tokyo hotel apologises for 'Japanese only' elevator signs 

<p>The world's highest luxury&nbsp;hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, has opened in Shanghai&nbsp;to guests with deep pockets and a head for heights.</p>

<p>Elevators whizz guests up the intimidating spiral-like skyscraper at ear-popping speeds of 18 metres per second to the J&nbsp;Hotel's 165 opulent rooms.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The&nbsp;hotel&nbsp;occupies the top floors of the 632-metre (more than 2,000 feet) Shanghai Tower in the city's financial district, the second-tallest building in the world after Dubai's Burj Khalifa.</p>

<p><img alt="Luxury in the clouds: Shanghai opens world's highest hotel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="09ab346b-fab7-4e00-b222-d3ab795af34e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_9D26FE_0.jpg" /></p>

<p><em>Guests are seen in the J Hotel, the world's highest luxury hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, located in the Shanghai Tower, in Shanghai. Image Credits: AFP</em></p>

<p><em><img alt="View of Jin Yan restaurant in the J Hotel, the world's highest luxury hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, located in the Shanghai Tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d080b4b-1384-41e8-b22e-07bf000692bb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_9D26JV_0.jpg" /></em></p>

<p><em>View of Jin Yan restaurant in the J Hotel, the world's highest luxury hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, located in the Shanghai Tower. Image Credits: AFP</em></p>

<p>Its opening was delayed partly by the coronavirus pandemic but the&nbsp;hotel&nbsp;has now started receiving well-heeled guests who can call on the services of a dedicated butler at any hour, day or night.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/has-fawad-khan-joined-the-cast-of-ms-marvel-393650"><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;Has Fawad Khan joined the cast of 'Ms Marvel'?</strong></a></p>

<p>Patrons can also enjoy one of the&nbsp;hotel's seven restaurants, bars, spa, 84th-floor swimming pool, and all the other usual trappings of a top-notch&nbsp;hotel.</p>

<p>It does not come cheap. To celebrate its opening J&nbsp;Hotel&nbsp;is offering a "special experience rate" of 3,088 yuan ($450) a night, but prices for its 34 suites sky-rocket.</p>

<p>A night in a "J Suite", complete with crystal chandeliers and sauna, this Saturday costs over 67,000 yuan.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;hotel&nbsp;is part of Jin Jiang International Hotels, a major Chinese state-owned group, and officially opened on Saturday.</p>

<p>"On the day of our opening even the web page was overloaded with so many visitors with strong interest and they have such (a) strong will to come and experience our&nbsp;hotel," said Renee Wu, sales and marketing director.</p>

<p>"Of course this is very encouraging to all of us, but at the same time, we are committed to making sure that all our guests are well taken care of."</p>


The world's highest luxury hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, has opened in Shanghai to guests with deep pockets and a head for heights.

The world's highest luxury hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, has opened in Shanghai to guests with deep pockets and a head for heights. Elevators whizz guests up the intimidating spiral-like skyscraper at ear-popping speeds of 18 metres per second to the J Hotel's 165 opulent rooms. The hotel occupies the top floors of the 632-metre (more than 2,000 feet) Shanghai Tower in the city's financial district, the second-tallest building in the world after Dubai's Burj Khalifa. Guests are seen in the J Hotel, the world's highest luxury hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, located in the Shanghai Tower, in Shanghai. Image Credits: AFP View of Jin Yan restaurant in the J Hotel, the world's highest luxury hotel, boasting a restaurant on the 120th floor and 24-hour personal butler service, located in the Shanghai Tower. Image Credits: AFP Its opening was delayed partly by the coronavirus pandemic but the hotel has now started receiving well-heeled guests who can call on the services of a dedicated butler at any hour, day or night. Also Read | Has Fawad Khan joined the cast of 'Ms Marvel'? Patrons can also enjoy one of the hotel's seven restaurants, bars, spa, 84th-floor swimming pool, and all the other usual trappings of a top-notch hotel. It does not come cheap. To celebrate its opening J Hotel is offering a "special experience rate" of 3,088 yuan ($450) a night, but prices for its 34 suites sky-rocket. A night in a "J Suite", complete with crystal chandeliers and sauna, this Saturday costs over 67,000 yuan. The hotel is part of Jin Jiang International Hotels, a major Chinese state-owned group, and officially opened on Saturday. "On the day of our opening even the web page was overloaded with so many visitors with strong interest and they have such (a) strong will to come and experience our hotel," said Renee Wu, sales and marketing director. "Of course this is very encouraging to all of us, but at the same time, we are committed to making sure that all our guests are well taken care of."

Luxury in the clouds: Shanghai opens world's highest hotel

A hotel with a polar bear enclosure inside opened on Friday (March 12) in China, local media reports said.

Hotel with a polar bear enclosure opens in China

Before the coronavirus crisis hit, hotels in Geneva -- usually a hub for diplomatic and international business activity -- had been surfing on a wave of thriving growth, with some 3.2 million night stays annually for the past two years.

WION Dispatch: Geneva's hotel industry in deep freeze

In Nevada, the casino coronavirus closure has ended. Cards are being dealt, dice are rolling and slot machines flash and jingle for the customers who started gambling again early Thursday in Las Vegas and throughout the state.

Las Vegas reopens casinos after COVID-19 closure

In Sweden, these days visitors are enjoying winters like never before. Around 50,000 tourists gathered at the ice hotel in Kiruna, which is made completely from ice & snow.

Sweden: Tourist flood Jukkasjarvi ice hotel

<p>Eight people were killed and ten were injured in a hotel fire in Ukraine's port city of Odesa early Saturday, emergency services said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The fire broke out at 1.34 am (2234 GMT) in the southern city's Tokyo Star hotel.</p>

<p>Some 65 firefighters backed by 13 emergency vehicles put out the blaze three hours later.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Emergency services said in a statement that eight people died and ten were injured.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement on his Facebook page, <a href="wionews.com/world/emmanuel-macron-says-new-ukraine-peace-talks-possible-under-volodymyr-zelensky-228118">President Volodymyr Zelensky</a> said four of those injured were in a critical condition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Odessa authorities said around 150 people were evacuated from the area.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police opened a criminal investigation into possible violations of fire safety requirements and the causes of the fire were being established.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We lost eight lives overnight," Zelensky said on Facebook.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"And this is not due to war and shelling. It is because of criminal negligence, neglect of elementary safety standards and neglect towards human life."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Zelensky added he would "personally make sure" that those responsible are punished "by the norms of the law."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Odesa is a Black Sea port 475 kilometres (300 miles) south of Ukraine's capital Kiev. The seaside town also attracts summer tourists.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Eight people were killed and ten were injured in a hotel fire in Ukraine's port city of Odesa early Saturday, emergency services said. The fire broke out at 1.34 am (2234 GMT) in the southern city's Tokyo Star hotel.

Eight people were killed and ten were injured in a hotel fire in Ukraine's port city of Odesa early Saturday, emergency services said. The fire broke out at 1.34 am (2234 GMT) in the southern city's Tokyo Star hotel. Some 65 firefighters backed by 13 emergency vehicles put out the blaze three hours later. Emergency services said in a statement that eight people died and ten were injured. In a statement on his Facebook page, President Volodymyr Zelensky said four of those injured were in a critical condition. Odessa authorities said around 150 people were evacuated from the area. Police opened a criminal investigation into possible violations of fire safety requirements and the causes of the fire were being established. "We lost eight lives overnight," Zelensky said on Facebook. "And this is not due to war and shelling. It is because of criminal negligence, neglect of elementary safety standards and neglect towards human life." Zelensky added he would "personally make sure" that those responsible are punished "by the norms of the law." Odesa is a Black Sea port 475 kilometres (300 miles) south of Ukraine's capital Kiev. The seaside town also attracts summer tourists.

Eight killed in Ukraine hotel fire

George Clooney calls to boycott Brunei-owned hotels

<p>About 500 people were evacuated Wednesday after a fire at a luxury hotel in downtown Singapore but there were no injuries, emergency services officials said.</p>

<p>Television footage showed thick black smoke billowing from the Grand Hyatt Hotel near the Orchard Road shopping district, but the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said the fire was quickly put out.</p>

<p>The blaze involved a kitchen stove and an exhaust duct in a restaurant on the second floor, the SCDF said, adding it was extinguished by water sprinklers before firefighters arrived.</p>

<p>"There were no reported injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation," it said.</p>

<p>"The smoke was really terrible ... it got into my throat. I think it was quite thick," Nadiah Yayoh, 40, who works at a boutique in the hotel, told AFP.</p>

<p>"Usually we have fire drills and normal evacuations, as well as fire practice ... This is a lesson learnt not to take it lightly."</p>

<p>An AFP reporter on the scene said guests were still checking in around two hours after the blaze, but a burning smell lingered at the lobby and the second floor was dark.</p>

<p>It was the second luxury hotel fire in Singapore this year.</p>

<p>About 1,000 guests were evacuated due to a fire at the downtown Carlton Hotel on February 14, but no injuries were also reported.</p>


About 500 people were evacuated Wednesday after a fire at a luxury hotel in downtown Singapore but there were no injuries, emergency services officials said. Television footage showed thick black smoke billowing from the Grand Hyatt Hotel near the Orchard Road shopping district, but the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said the fire was quickly put out.

About 500 people were evacuated Wednesday after a fire at a luxury hotel in downtown Singapore but there were no injuries, emergency services officials said. Television footage showed thick black smoke billowing from the Grand Hyatt Hotel near the Orchard Road shopping district, but the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said the fire was quickly put out. The blaze involved a kitchen stove and an exhaust duct in a restaurant on the second floor, the SCDF said, adding it was extinguished by water sprinklers before firefighters arrived. "There were no reported injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation," it said. "The smoke was really terrible ... it got into my throat. I think it was quite thick," Nadiah Yayoh, 40, who works at a boutique in the hotel, told AFP. "Usually we have fire drills and normal evacuations, as well as fire practice ... This is a lesson learnt not to take it lightly." An AFP reporter on the scene said guests were still checking in around two hours after the blaze, but a burning smell lingered at the lobby and the second floor was dark. It was the second luxury hotel fire in Singapore this year. About 1,000 guests were evacuated due to a fire at the downtown Carlton Hotel on February 14, but no injuries were also reported.

500 evacuated as fire hits hotel in Singapore, no injuries

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<p>If you wish to see the Northern Lights, but don't want to wait out in the freezing cold, a new hotel in northern Finland could be the one for you.</p>

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<h5>After the wild BBQ, guests will have the camp to themselves to hunt for the Northern Lights and enjoy the peace of the Arctic wilderness, quoted The Daily Star.</h5>
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<p>The fleet of glamping cabins is built on skis so that they can be pulled to remote wilderness locations, where you are more likely to spot the Northern lights.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgeN97jBxv0/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">"Explosions in the sky" Photo by: @joonaslinkola | ??? . For more check out his collection! ______________ #beyondthelands_ | #finland Selected by: @simona_br_photography</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/beyondthelands/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Iceland | Beyond The Lands</a> (@beyondthelands) on <time datetime="2018-03-18T17:00:07+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Mar 18, 2018 at 10:00am PDT</time></p>
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<p>The guests can experience the natural show from the comfort of their beds through clear roofs from their cosy wooden cabins. A new Hotel on Skis gives its guests the best chance to witness the Northern Lights.</p>

<p>There are three mobile rooms available, all of which comfortably accommodate two people.</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgeOQi_g3N0/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Tor-Ivar Næss (@torivarnaess)</a> on <time datetime="2018-03-18T17:02:40+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Mar 18, 2018 at 10:02am PDT</time></p>
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<p>The cabins will be set up together to create a Aurora wilderness camp, in the best location for Northern Lights hunting.</p>

<p>The trip starts at 6 pm, with an experienced guide transporting guests by snowmobile to their room for the night, before teaching them how to make a campfire to grill some local sausages.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mother nature showing off her dance moves! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/northernlights?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#northernlights</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dawsoncreek?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#dawsoncreek</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/auroraborealis?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#auroraborealis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nikon?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Nikon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/astrophotography?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#astrophotography</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cinematography?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cinematography</a> <a href="https://t.co/kCWLau9buw">https://t.co/kCWLau9buw</a> <a href="https://t.co/1S0pflI6lr">pic.twitter.com/1S0pflI6lr</a></p>
— Andy Witteman (@CNLastro) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNLastro/status/975171755416391680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the wild BBQ, guests will have the camp to themselves to hunt for the Northern Lights and enjoy the peace of the Arctic wilderness, quoted The Daily Star.</p>

<p>Local snacks and hot drinks are provided, as well as a warming breakfast the following morning. Experts have estimated that if the sky is clear visitors have more than a 70 percent chance of seeing the Northern Lights.</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>November to March is the best time to visit and you have more of a chance of seeing them if you go at a time of the month when the moon is small.</p>

<p>If seeing the Aurora Borealis is one of your life-long goals, we suggest you pack your woollens and head to this quirky hotel in Finland for your next holiday.</p>


A new Hotel on Skis gives its guests the best chance to witness the Northern Lights.

If you wish to see the Northern Lights, but don't want to wait out in the freezing cold, a new hotel in northern Finland could be the one for you. After the wild BBQ, guests will have the camp to themselves to hunt for the Northern Lights and enjoy the peace of the Arctic wilderness, quoted The Daily Star. × The fleet of glamping cabins is built on skis so that they can be pulled to remote wilderness locations, where you are more likely to spot the Northern lights. "Explosions in the sky" Photo by: @joonaslinkola | ??? . For more check out his collection! ______________ #beyondthelands_ | #finland Selected by: @simona_br_photography A post shared by Iceland | Beyond The Lands (@beyondthelands) on Mar 18, 2018 at 10:00am PDT × The guests can experience the natural show from the comfort of their beds through clear roofs from their cosy wooden cabins. A new Hotel on Skis gives its guests the best chance to witness the Northern Lights. There are three mobile rooms available, all of which comfortably accommodate two people. A post shared by Tor-Ivar Næss (@torivarnaess) on Mar 18, 2018 at 10:02am PDT × The cabins will be set up together to create a Aurora wilderness camp, in the best location for Northern Lights hunting. The trip starts at 6 pm, with an experienced guide transporting guests by snowmobile to their room for the night, before teaching them how to make a campfire to grill some local sausages. Mother nature showing off her dance moves! #northernlights #dawsoncreek #bc #Canada #auroraborealis #Nikon #astrophotography #cinematography https://t.co/kCWLau9buw pic.twitter.com/1S0pflI6lr — Andy Witteman (@CNLastro) March 18, 2018 × After the wild BBQ, guests will have the camp to themselves to hunt for the Northern Lights and enjoy the peace of the Arctic wilderness, quoted The Daily Star. Local snacks and hot drinks are provided, as well as a warming breakfast the following morning. Experts have estimated that if the sky is clear visitors have more than a 70 percent chance of seeing the Northern Lights. × November to March is the best time to visit and you have more of a chance of seeing them if you go at a time of the month when the moon is small. If seeing the Aurora Borealis is one of your life-long goals, we suggest you pack your woollens and head to this quirky hotel in Finland for your next holiday.

Wish to see the Northern Lights? Head to this quirky hotel in Finland

<p>Just a few days after the major attack in Kabul&rsquo;s Intercontinental Hotel which killed around 22 people, the US White House directed Pakistan to immediately arrest or expel the Taliban&#39;s leaders who operate from Pakistani territory.</p>

<p>&quot;We call on Pakistan to immediately arrest or expel the Taliban&#39;s leaders and prevent the group from using Pakistani territory to support its operations,&quot; White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference.</p>

<p>&quot;In Afghanistan, where terrorists attacked a hotel in Kabul, such attacks on civilians only strengthen our resolve to support our Afghan partners,&quot; Sanders said.</p>

<p>&quot;We commend the swift and effective response of the Afghan security forces. Afghan forces, with our support, will continue to relentlessly pursue the enemies of Afghanistan, who also seek to export terror around the world,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>Shortly after the instructions by the White House Pakistani ambassador to the US stated that Pakistan had already removed them and their facilities.</p>

<p>Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry further gave an &ldquo;open challenge&rdquo; to anyone who could point to surviving safe havens, claiming that military forces had &ldquo;cleaned out&rdquo; all terrorists, their &ldquo;hideouts and sanctuaries and their IED (improvised explosive devices) factories&rdquo; from Pakistan in operations since 2014 and &ldquo;when somebody turns around and tells us that there are safe havens existing there we say to them please show us where&rdquo;.</p>

<p>The Afghan Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which happened on Saturday, in which at least 22 civilians were killed, including foreign nationals. The six attackers were killed by Afghan forces, the government in Kabul had said. The Afghan government did not mention Pakistan.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>(With PTI inputs)</p>


Shortly after the instructions by the White House Pakistani ambassador to the US stated that Pakistan had already removed them and their facilities

Just a few days after the major attack in Kabul’s Intercontinental Hotel which killed around 22 people, the US White House directed Pakistan to immediately arrest or expel the Taliban's leaders who operate from Pakistani territory. "We call on Pakistan to immediately arrest or expel the Taliban's leaders and prevent the group from using Pakistani territory to support its operations," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference. "In Afghanistan, where terrorists attacked a hotel in Kabul, such attacks on civilians only strengthen our resolve to support our Afghan partners," Sanders said. "We commend the swift and effective response of the Afghan security forces. Afghan forces, with our support, will continue to relentlessly pursue the enemies of Afghanistan, who also seek to export terror around the world," she said. Shortly after the instructions by the White House Pakistani ambassador to the US stated that Pakistan had already removed them and their facilities. Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry further gave an “open challenge” to anyone who could point to surviving safe havens, claiming that military forces had “cleaned out” all terrorists, their “hideouts and sanctuaries and their IED (improvised explosive devices) factories” from Pakistan in operations since 2014 and “when somebody turns around and tells us that there are safe havens existing there we say to them please show us where”. The Afghan Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which happened on Saturday, in which at least 22 civilians were killed, including foreign nationals. The six attackers were killed by Afghan forces, the government in Kabul had said. The Afghan government did not mention Pakistan. (With PTI inputs)

US tells Pakistan to 'immediately arrest or expel Taliban from its soil,' Pakistan asks for proof

<p>A massive fire struck at Moscow&#39;s&nbsp;Cosmos hotel on Monday which prompted an evacuation of over 200 people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per reports, the fire started at the 15th floor of the hotel and 15 fire crews were appointed and 23 fire brigades were deployed to get the situation under control.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The emergency services said 230 people have been evacuated from the hotel after the fire broke out, reports said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Eyewitnesses said that thick black smoke could be seen coming from four of the hotel&#39;s windows.</p>

<p>The cause of the fire is still not clear. Further details are awaited.&nbsp;</p>


As per reports, the fire started at the 15th floor of the hotel and 15 fire crews were appointed and 23 fire brigades were deployed to get the situation under control

A massive fire struck at Moscow's Cosmos hotel on Monday which prompted an evacuation of over 200 people. As per reports, the fire started at the 15th floor of the hotel and 15 fire crews were appointed and 23 fire brigades were deployed to get the situation under control. The emergency services said 230 people have been evacuated from the hotel after the fire broke out, reports said. Eyewitnesses said that thick black smoke could be seen coming from four of the hotel's windows. The cause of the fire is still not clear. Further details are awaited.

Massive fire in Moscow hotel, guests evacuated

<p>Somalia&#39;s al Shabaab Islamist group launched a suicide bomb attack on a hotel in the centre of Mogadishu on Saturday before fighters stormed inside, police and the militant group said.<br />
<br />
Police said at least seven people had died and 10 others were wounded. Gunfire echoed round the seaside city after the blast and ambulances raced to the scene.<br />
<br />
&quot;We attacked the hotel which was frequented by the apostate government members,&quot; al Shabaab military operations spokesman Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab told Reuters, adding that the group&#39;s fighters were inside the building.<br />
<br />
Al Shabaab frequently carries out attacks in the capital in its bid to topple the Western-backed government.<br />
<br />
&quot;Those who died included civilians and hotel guards,&quot; police major Ali Hassan told Reuters.<br />
<br />
&quot;We have rescued many people from the back door. No one can enter the building from the front or near the front. There are snipers there,&quot; he said as fighting continued.<br />
<br />
Earlier, another police officer said the initial blast was caused by a suicide bomber before fighters stormed into the Nasahablood hotel. There was a heavy exchange of gunfire.<br />
<br />
Muslims in&nbsp;Somalia&nbsp;and around the world are observing Ramadan. In previous years, al Shabaab has often intensified attacks during the fasting month, often picking targets where people gather just before or after breaking the fast.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)</p>


Somalia's al Shabaab Islamist group launched a suicide bomb attack on a hotel in the centre of Mogadishu on Saturday before fighters stormed inside, police and the militant group said. Police said at least seven people had died and 10 others were wounded. Gunfire echoed round the seaside city after the blast and ambulances raced to the scene. "We attacked the hotel which was frequented by the apostate government members," al Shabaab military operations spokesman Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab told Reuters, adding that the group's fighters were inside the building. Al Shabaab frequently carries out attacks in the capital in its bid to topple the Western-backed government. "Those who died included civilians and hotel guards," police major Ali Hassan told Reuters. "We have rescued many people from the back door. No one can enter the building from the front or near the front. There are snipers there," he said as fighting continued. Earlier, another police officer said the initial blast was caused by a suicide bomber before fighters stormed into the Nasahablood hotel. There was a heavy exchange of gunfire. Muslims in Somalia and around the world are observing Ramadan. In previous years, al Shabaab has often intensified attacks during the fasting month, often picking targets where people gather just before or after breaking the fast. (Reuters)

Somalia Islamist group al Shabaab launch suicide bomb attack before storming inside Mogadishu hotel

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