World News

The Electronic Governance (AGE) has won the "Special Award for the design of digital services" in a competition organised by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and GovStack. The award was given to AGE for the "Front-Office Digitization" (FOD) Platform, which is a solution for digitizing public services that was developed by the Electronic Governance Agency team as part of the Modernization of Government Services (MGSP) project. The World Bank Group provided support for the project.

From the very best of Irish arts, culture, food, music to enjoy, and more, including the spectacular annual parade in London’s Trafalgar Square, a Family Festival Village at Knocknashinna Park, in Downpatrick, in Northern Island, colourful parades will be taking place this weekend to mark St Patrick's Day.

An international community promoting democracy, peace and security, this year a virtual reception for the Irish community and friends of Ireland will be hosted by H.E. Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Benin and Togo, Peter Ryan, featuring remarks from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD and a specially commissioned Irish cultural performance by award-winning Irish poet and writer, Doireann Ní Ghríofa, plus a piece of Irish traditional music by renowned concertina player, Cormac Begley.

The 11 women who received the 2023 International Women of Courage Award on March 8 fight for different causes but have one thing in common: They refuse to be intimidated.

The award, given annually by the U.S. secretary of state, honours women around the world advocating for human rights, rule of law and gender equality - which is often at great personal risk. This year’s ceremony was held at the White House for the first time and hosted by first lady Jill Biden. 

The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) has approved more than US$300 million in new financing in the first quarter of 2023, reflecting the institution's commitment to fulfilling its Climate Action Plan. Three out of the four projects approved by the OPEC Fund's Governing Board directly support climate finance.

An unrelenting Cyclone Freddy that is currently battering southern Africa has killed at least 56 people in Malawi and Mozambique since it struck the continent for a second time on Saturday night, authorities in both countries have confirmed.

Local police said 51 people in Malawi, including 36 in Chilobwe in the financial hub of Blantyre in the centre of the country have died, with several others missing or injured. Authorities in Mozambique reported that five people were killed in the country since Saturday.

Following on from the introduction of its newly enhanced guest rooms and suites, Island Shangri-La has launched a series of unique themed experiences that are sure to delight guests of all ages.

As well as enjoying a host of upgraded features and amenities, families checking into the newly renovated rooms can choose from four themed experiences—Princess World, Space Travel, Safari Park and Northern Lights—each of which features a captivating set-up that includes an in-room tent, special decorations and an overhead projector, transforming the room into a magical wonderland that kids will be thrilled to explore.

Continuing to build out new gateways and provide more convenient access to the island for U.S. travellers from the Midwest, Jamaica is pleased to welcome new non-stop air service from Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in Missouri to Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ) by Southwest Airlines. The new flight will operate once weekly on Saturdays starting October 7 and is now available for booking.

Visitors at the Hong Kong booth at ITB Berlin were introduced to the “Hello Hong Kong” campaign, coinciding with the drop of mask rules..

The HKSAR Government announced the dropping of the mandatory mask-wearing rule which went into effect on March 1. All visitors traveling to Hong Kong will no longer be required to wear masks indoors and outdoors and can enjoy Hong Kong’s iconic and new experiences to the fullest.

The United States and Bangladesh celebrated 50 years of government relations in 2022, but people-to-people ties go back even further. The late U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy was an outspoken supporter of Bangladesh’s 1971 liberation movement.

He was the first U.S. statesman to visit Bangladesh. That special bond continues today.

Conservation body Wildlife Conservation Foundation of Tanzania (WCFT) has to stepped up support of vital working gear in the form of anti-poaching cutting-edge equipment valued at $32,000. This equipment was donated to Ikona Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on the fringes of Serengeti and comprises radio calls and rangers’ uniforms.

A temple in the southern Indian state of Kerala has introduced a mechanical elephant to conduct its rituals.

The initiative by authorities at Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple in Thrissur district is part of their pledge to stop using live animals for any festivities. The model was donated by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India.

If you rely on a Global Positioning System (GPS) device to guide you on unfamiliar roads, you have Gladys West to thank for it.

West, 87, is a retired mathematician living in north-eastern Virginia. Her former employer, the U.S. Navy, credits her with playing a pivotal role in developing GPS technology. From 1956 until her retirement in 1998, West worked with a team of engineers at a Navy base in Dahlgren, Virginia.

Millions of Indians are celebrating Holi - the festival of colours - at home and around the world.

The festival which marks the last full-moon day of the lunar month celebrates the beginning of spring and the victory of good over evil.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett continues his quest of ensuring that Destination Jamaica and the tourism sector remain top of mind in international fora with his departure on Sunday to be a key participant in the much anticipated ITB Berlin Convention, now underway in Germany.

Countries all over the world are uniting today (March 8) in celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) to honours women of the past, present, and future generations who have fought, and will continue to fight, for change in gender equality and greater focus on female-focused achievements.

Two of the three Republicans who have announced plans so far to enter the US presidential race are Indian-Americans. While Nikki Haley is a familiar name, surprise candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is much less well known. California-based journalist Savita Patel assesses his chances and whether he could bring change.