• Artprice by Artmarket.com congratulates artist Tarik Kiswanson, winner of the 2023 Marcel Duchamp Prize, sponsored by ADIAF

    Dedicated to the international promotion of the French contemporary art scene, the Marcel Duchamp Prize shortlisted four finalists at the beginning of this year: Bertille Back (represented by the Xippas gallery and The Gallery Apart), Bouchra Khalili (represented by the Mor Charpentier gallery and ADN Galeria), Massinissa Selmani (represented by the Anne-Sarah Benichou gallery, Selma Feriani and Jane Lombard) and finally Tarik Kiswanson (represented by the carlier | gebauer and Sfeir-Semler galleries) who has won the prize for this 23rd edition.

  • Did Holness’ PFJ play part in ‘20 elections?

    Prime Minister Andrew Holness appeared particularly charitable in 2020.

  • Riyadh Air unveils its second permanent dual-livery designs at Dubai Airshow

    The next chapter for the skies has arrived as Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's new world-class airline wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) set to take off in 2025, unveiled the second of its permanent dual-livery designs at the Dubai Airshow 2023.

  • "Newsky Award" to be held in Kazakhstan with applications now open

    The acceptance of applications for participation in the International Media Award "Newsky Award" continues. Professional and young journalists, as well as authors of blogs on social networks from all over the world can apply on the official website of newskyaward.org until November 10, 2023 inclusive.

  • $2.6m reached in new funding for Maui

    The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) Board of Directors took decisive action at its monthly board meeting to approve $2.6 million in funding to launch the Maui Marketing Recovery Plan, which is centred around a new Mālama Maui campaign and prioritises rebuilding travel demand from the United States market to Maui in the wake of the devastating Lahaina wildfires.

  • $54m project to create youth jobs in Zanzibar’s blue economy

    The African Development Bank Group and the Republic of Tanzania have launched the Skills Development for Youth Employability in Blue Economy project. This is a project that will enable Zanzibari youth to find well-paying maritime and other blue economy jobs.

    The Bank is providing grant financing of $48.65 million for the project, with the Tanzanian government contributing an additional $5.42 million. Both parties signed the grant agreement on the 21st of November 2022, with its official launch taking place on 17 May 2023. The project will benefit about 43,000 youth (40% of them female) and prepare over 1,500 of them to start their own enterprises.

  • 'Limitless' Cape Town – a vision of inclusivity in the world's greatest city

    South Africa's Cape Town, which the 2023 Telegraph Travel Awards named the 'Greatest City on Earth', has launched a first-of-its-kind universal access 'Limitless Cape Town' movement.

  • 'Ride for Unity' brings hope to the Middle East

    Ride for Unity's inaugural 7 Days 7 Emirates cycle tour is bringing over 20 inspirational business leaders, pioneers and professional athletes to pedal across the UAE on 6-12 January 2024, providing a unique opportunity for the public to join these riders on five cycling sections and various cultural, educational and environmental events throughout the week.

  • 106-year-old Philippine tattoo artist is Vogue’s oldest ever cover model

    Vogue Philippines has put 106-year-old Apo Whang-Od on the cover of its April issue, making the revered tattoo artist the oldest person to ever appear on the front page of Vogue – still the world’s pre-eminent fashion magazine.

    The cover has Whang-Od – also known as Maria Oggay – staring straight into the camera, her lips slightly parted, as if she is about to smile but then had second thoughts about it. Her left arm crosses the width of her tiny body, revealing the geometric, tribal tattoos that have made her so iconic.

  • 12 people hurt, 30 houses damaged as tornado hits Punjab's Fazilka

    At least 12 people were injured and 30 houses damaged after a tornado hit the Bakenwala village in this Punjab district, officials said on Saturday. The tornado also damaged standing crops in the fields and kinnow orchards, they said.

    Bakenwala resident Gurmukh Singh said: "Villagers saw the tornado around 4 pm on Friday." It caused damage in a 2-2.5-km area, he said. Deputy Commissioner Senu Duggal, who visited the affected village, said the administration shifted those villagers whose houses were damaged to the local government school.

  • 12-year-old pens first book

    Kande Summers pens her first book entitled ‘Going Home: Diary of a Teenage Alien’. The book is written through the adolescent lens of the main character called Liz, who adopts a dystopian and explorative perspective of how an intergalactic war would impact life on earth.

    Kande, 12, is the first in a generation of her family to have written and published a book, which she has achieved at a very young age. As a reserved and curious child, she began reading at a very early age, while attending Oldfield Primary School in Maidenhead, England.

    At the age of 7, she immigrated with her parents to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where she attended English-speaking schools in the emirates of Abu Dhabi, where she began to develop a love of English literature and various writing styles, especially poetry. Influenced by her growing interest in writing, Kande’s first venture into writing began at the age of 10, by virtue of her effervescent younger brother, which inspired her to write a poem entitled ‘My Spirited Little Brother’.

    She has had the good fortune of attending numerous book fairs, with her parents. Her path to writing success began in 2020 after she entered a writing competition, which she chose to write about her mum. She then became motivated by her unexpected win in the writing competition and began the writing process with the support of her parents. 

    Having tasted success, she embarked on a strategy of independent research, in the world of book publishing, eventually finding a suitable publishing company and inexpensive publishing platform. This is what enabled her to publish her very first book, of which she produced the entire content, including all the illustrations. 

    ‘Going Home: Diary of a Teenage Alien’ is now available to purchase on Amazon, in both Kindle and paperback format for those who still love the feel of a book in their hand as well as smell the paper. The book was launched at the 39th staging of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2020 and featured at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2021.

    This is where Kande signed copies for readers who were able to get their hands on the book, which sold like hotcakes, due to her popularity at the book fair. SIBF is the largest book fair in the Middle East and Africa, as well as the 4th largest book fair in the world.

    She has managed to secure and sign an undisclosed deal with Kotopia Publishing House of Egypt, to have the Arabic translation of the book published in the summer of 2021. Apart from writing, Kande is also an accomplished artist and performer.

    Buoyed by the success of ‘Going Home: Diary of a Teenage Alien,’ the UAE resident is currently writing her second book and said that she hopes to inspire young people like herself to achieve the impossible that many people have not achieved but only dream of achieving in their lifetime.

    To learn more about Kande’s work, you can follow her on Instagram @royalkween.art and Twitter @ks_summers12.

  • 15 Commonwealth innovators awarded for ground-breaking work on sustainability

    Fifteen individuals and groups have been recognised for making a significant impact on communities, countries and regions of the Commonwealth, by creating innovative solutions to pressing development challenges.

    This year’s winners of the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards each received a trophy, £3,000 in prize money and the opportunity to scale up their innovations in collaboration with partners and mentors across the Commonwealth.

  • 15,000 hotel workers receive global certification from JCTI

    Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation (JCTI), a division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, successfully provided professional certification to over 15,000 individuals, bolstering the nation's commitment to human capital development in the tourism sector.

  • 15-Year Old High School Senior Wins Global Math Competition

    Faith Odunsi, a 15-year old Nigerian high school student, has won the 2021 Global Open Mathematics competition.

    She bested contestants from many countries around the world including the U.S., China, Australia, and others. Odunsi excelled in all rounds of the competition and even got to answer more questions than her competitors in the final round. But she said she didn’t really think she would win.

    She said: “I was already tense, so I just smiled. I was too anxious to dance. I was tense because it was a tough competition.” Odunsi managed to win by a 30-point margin, setting a new record. She received a $1,000 prize for winning the contest.

    Currently a senior high school student at the Ambassadors School in Ota Ogun State, she did not let the competition affect her academic activities. She prepared for the contest after class with her teacher who coached her and she also studied at night from 11 pm to 12 am.

    She plans to someday study computer engineering in college.

  • 175th Emancipation Commemoration, a defining moment for the USVI

    On the eve of the historic 175th anniversary of Emancipation in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), set for today (Monday, July 3), Chair of the Commemoration Committee, Carol Burke, is urging Virgin Islanders to recognise the historical significance of this milestone and to “capture a better-defined future for ourselves.”

    Burke, a community leader and former Virgin Islands senator, expressed her enthusiasm for the overwhelming momentum and widespread interest generated in the planning and preparation for today's landmark holiday. She noted that the significance of the Emancipation Commemoration has resonated not only locally but also regionally and nationally, demonstrating the profound impact and historical importance of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

  • 2 exchange programs, 600 artists from over 60 countries

    Dancers, singers and performing artists from around the world are in the United States to share their talents through two U.S. Department of State programs. Each year, the department coordinates with the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) and New York City’s Found Sound Nation to bring international artists to the United States through Center Stage and OneBeat.

  • 2.7 million trees planted under national tree planting initiative – Minister Samuda reveals

    Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC), with responsibility for Water, the Environment and Climate Change, Senator, the Hon. Matthew Samuda has revealed that some 2.7 million trees have been planted under the National Tree Planting Initiative, which was launched in 2019 by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness with a goal of three million trees in three years.

  • 2021 seen in with New Year's fireworks and light show

    As revellers were not able to ring in the New Year in the usual way because of the coronavirus pandemic, in seeing off 2020, 2021 was celebrated with a fireworks and light display over London that included tributes to NHS staff as people, instead, were told to stay at home. But the 10-minute show over the Thames was broadcasted at midnight. Edinburgh's traditional Hogmanay street party was cancelled, with videos of a drone display released instead.

    The series of videos showed a swarm of 150 lit-up drones over the Scottish Highlands and Edinburgh were released, which organisers said it was the largest drone show ever produced in the UK. Despite the cancellation the Hogmanay celebration - which normally attracts 100,000 people on the city's streets - there were some people who ignored the pleas to stay at home. Crowds of several hundred people gathered at Edinburgh Castle to see in the new year. They sang Auld Lang Syne and danced before eventually dispersing when several police vans and cars pulled on to the castle esplanade.

    Much of the UK saw in the new year while under lockdown rules, with about 44 million people in England - or 78% of the population - in tier four, the top level of restrictions. Mainland Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are also under lockdown.

    On New Year's Eve, Health Secretary Matt Hancock called on people to take "personal responsibility" and stay at home to avoid spreading Covid-19. Light projections lit up the sky over the O2 Arena, in London, including the NHS logo in a heart accompanied by a child's voice saying: "Thank you NHS heroes".

    Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised £33m for the NHS by walking laps of his garden, was also featured in the display, with an image of him shone over the arena.

    Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was proud of the show, which he said "paid tribute to our NHS heroes and the way that Londoners continue to stand together".

    "We showed how our capital and the UK have made huge sacrifices to support one another through these difficult times, and how they will continue to do so as the vaccine is rolled out."

    Usually, around 100,000 people pack into the streets around Victoria Embankment to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks. But this year, people were warned not to attend any parties outside their own homes, there were many people around the country who ignored the rules.

    Elsewhere, other forces also broke up parties and handed out hundreds of fines. They included Greater Manchester Police, which issued 105 fixed penalty notices at house parties and larger gatherings. And Leicestershire Police had to issue six on-the-spot £10,000 fines to party organisers.

    In his New Year's message, the Archbishop of Canterbury will say he saw "reasons to be hopeful for the year ahead" despite the "tremendous pain and sadness" brought by 2020.

    The Most Reverend Justin Welby speaks of his experience volunteering as an assistant chaplain at St Thomas' hospital during the pandemic, saying: "Sometimes the most important thing we do is just sit with people, letting them know they are not alone."

    In his message, he says: "This crisis has shown us how fragile we are. It has also shown us how to face this fragility. Here at the hospital, hope is there in every hand that's held, and every comforting word that's spoken.

    "Up and down the country, it's there in every phone call. Every food parcel or thoughtful card. Every time we wear our masks."

  • 2022 Irish Law Awards winners revealed at gala ceremony in Dublin

    This year's Dye & Durham Irish Law Awards winners have been revealed at a gala awards ceremony on the 28th of October in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, hosted by Ivan Yates.

    Celebrating their 10th Year, The Irish Law Awards are delighted to have Dye & Durham on board as the headline sponsor for the 10th Year of their annual event.

  • 300 million unapproved Covid jabs ordered by India

    India has ordered 300 million doses of an unapproved coronavirus vaccine amid a devastating second wave. The unnamed vaccine from Indian firm Biological E is in Phase 3 trials, and had showed "promising results" in the first two phases, the federal government said in a statement.

    The $206m order is the first India has signed for a jab that has not received emergency approval. This comes as the country struggles to speed up its lagging vaccine drive.

    India has administered just over 220 million jabs so far, although much of its 1.4 billion population is now eligible for the vaccine. Less than 15% of the country has received at least one dose of the vaccination, largely because of a severe shortage of doses.

    Although Covid case numbers have been dropping, India is still adding more than 100,000 news cases a day. It has recorded more than 340,000 deaths from the virus so far, but experts say the number is vastly underestimated.

    India's federal government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been criticised for not placing huge orders ahead of time with either Indian or foreign vaccine makers. India is currently giving three vaccines - Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII), and Covaxin, developed by Indian firm Bharat Biotech and the government's Indian Council of Medical Research, and Sputnik V, which is developed by Moscow's Gamaleya Institute.

    Compared to the single order from Biological E for 300 million doses, India brought about 350 million doses from both Covishield and Covaxin between January and May. India's drug regulator gave Covaxin emergency approval in January before trials were completed - data on its efficacy is yet to be released.

    The new vaccine from Biological E is "likely to be available in the next few months," according to the government. Mr Modi's government is racing to shore up its vaccine stocks as Covid numbers dip, hoping to be well-prepared for what experts say is an inevitable third wave.

    India's vaccine drive, which had a promising start in January, began to slow down because vaccine hesitancy crept in as cases dropped. But numbers soon rose again in a deadly second wave that saw hospitals falling short of beds and crematoriums running short of space.

    Hoping to stem the tide, the government threw open the drive in May to everyone above the age of 18 but India's two vaccine makers - Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech - could not guarantee supply at that scale. But shortages persist and have also led to vast inequalities in access with rural areas, the poor and women falling behind in the line for jabs.