World News

AfDB Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa approves $5.65M to pioneer new climate finance instrument for off-grid renewable energy projects in Africa’s fragile States

2026-03-27T22:56:08+00:00

The AfDB’s (African Development Bank Group’s) Board of Directors has approved a $5.65 million reimbursable grant from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) to pilot the Peace Renewable Energy Certificate (P-REC) Aggregation Facility, a pioneering initiative that will, for the first time, deploy renewable energy certificates as a direct funding instrument for a portfolio of mini-grids across Africa’s most fragile and energy-poor countries.

Fondazione MAIRE presented in Berlin the "Climate Goals" study in the framework Of Maire European strategy leveraging on Germany

2026-03-27T22:52:45+00:00

The fourth edition of "Climate Goals: winning the challenge of climate goals through the creation of skills and competences worldwide" (Addendum 3: Focus on Germany) has been presented at the Italian Embassy in Berlin.

Philippines transport workers strike over fuel costs

2026-03-27T22:49:18+00:00

Hundreds of transport workers in the Philippines' capital Manila have gone on strike over rising fuel costs.

Aviator cuts half of business travel emissions through SAF initiative in Sweden

2026-03-26T21:09:55+00:00

Aviator Airport Alliance, the largest independent ground handling provider in the Nordics and part of Avia Solutions Group, has joined Swedavia’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) procurement initiative, resulting in a significant reduction in emissions from its business travel.

Brian McKnight sues radio station for calling him an abusive and neglectful dad

2026-03-25T20:17:10+00:00

Brian McKnight is taking legal action against a North Carolina radio station and its host, claiming they falsely painted him as an abusive and neglectful father.

conNÉCKt team from Irish Girl Guides triumphs with Best Team Placard Award at National FIRST LEGO League Final

2026-03-25T20:14:45+00:00

Dublin-based team conNÉCKt, from the Lucan Unit of the Irish Girl Guides, secured a prestigious victory at the FIRST LEGO League Irish National Final this week, taking home the coveted Best Team Placard award.

The forgotten Indian woman trailblazer in British medicine

2026-03-24T18:39:20+00:00

In 1912, Jamini Sen became the first woman ever to be admitted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow - an institution founded in 1599 and long closed to women.

Belize highlights natural assets and sustainability focus ahead of STC 2026

2026-03-22T22:23:11+00:00

Belize’s tourism minister has extended an open invitation to tourism industry leaders to visit the Central American and Caribbean nation next month, highlighting its world-class natural assets and long-standing commitment to sustainable tourism.

Hard Rock Heals Foundation donates $400,000 to Jamaica's Hurricane Melissa Relief efforts

2026-03-21T17:53:05+00:00

The Hard Rock Heals Foundation, the charitable arm of Hard Rock International, announced its "Stay Strong Jamaica" relief effort raised over $400,000 to support Jamaica's recovery from Hurricane Melissa, the Category 5 storm that struck in October 2025, causing nearly $9 billion in damages and leaving thousands homeless.

Eid ul Fitr celebrated worldwide

2026-03-20T19:24:43+00:00

Muslims across the world gathered for Eid ul Fitr 2026, to mark the end of Ramadan – commemorating it with prayers, gifts, plus giving and sharing huge feasts with family and friends.

Lucan team conNÈCKt advances to FIRST LEGO League Ireland Final

2026-03-20T13:00:38+00:00

A team of four Guides from Lucan will represent the Irish Girl Guides at the upcoming FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge Ireland Final today (Saturday 21 March 2026) after winning the Regional Tournament held at Dublin City University (DCU) on Saturday 28 February.

The team, conNÈCKt, impressed judges throughout the competition with their strong teamwork, creative problem-solving, and technical skills. The name conNÈCKt reflects the team members themselves, with the capital letters representing their names: Naomi, Éile, Cora, and Katie.

They range in age from 11 to 13, and this is their first year participating in the FIRST LEGO League. The team has designed and coded a robot for the Robot Game and developed an innovative board game to help educate young people about archaeology.

Their success at the Regional event has earned them a place at the Ireland Final, where they will compete against the country’s top teams on Saturday 21 March 2026. The Regional Tournament brought together 16 Irish Girl Guides teams from across the country, with 88 Guides and Senior Branch members taking part in a day dedicated to innovation, robotics, and teamwork.

As part of this year’s FIRST LEGO League Challenge theme, UNEARTHED™, participants explored how archaeology uncovers and protects the past. Teams developed innovation projects addressing real-world challenges faced by archaeologists, while also designing and programming LEGO® robots to complete themed missions.

The judges commended conNÈCKt for the depth of their research, their innovative approach to the challenge, and their ability to collaborate effectively as a team. Their strong performance across the different elements of the competition secured them the Champion’s Award and a place in the national final.

At the national final, teams will present their research and demonstrate their robot designs. They will also be judged on the FIRST® LEGO® League Core Values, which closely align with the values of Irish Girl Guides: Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Fun.

“We are incredibly proud of all the Guides who took part in the Regional Tournament,” said Katie Keogh, Irish Girl Guides LEGO Project Chair.

“The creativity, curiosity, and determination shown by every team was inspiring. Congratulations to conNÈCKt on their achievement, and we wish them the very best as they represent Irish Girl Guides at the Ireland Final.”

In addition to the Champion’s Award, several teams were recognised for their achievements throughout the competition:

Robot Game Award:Clogherhead Heads (Clogherhead Guides)
Robot Design Award:InGen (Macalla Guides Trim)
Innovation Project Award:Fossil Finders (Lucan Guides)
Core Values Award:An Daingean Diggers (Dingle Guides)
Breakthrough Award:Rock Stars (Lily Guides Newbridge)
Motivate Award:Dilse Diggers (Dilse Senior Branch)

The Ireland Final will bring together the top teams from across the country for another exciting day of robotics, innovation, and STEM learning. The Irish Girl Guides community will be cheering on conNÈCKt as they continue their FIRST LEGO League journey.

Supported by the Research Ireland Discover Programme, FIRST® LEGO® League is organised by CreativeHUT. Irish Girl Guides has about 8,000 members across Ireland.

Guiding started in Ireland in 1911 and operates throughout the 26 counties with 1,200 volunteer Leaders providing an informal educational programme of fun and challenging activities that foster confidence and leadership skills in girls and young women, enabling them to develop to their full potential and to become responsible citizens.

Study shows road dust contributing massively to major Delhi pollution

2026-03-20T12:51:57+00:00

Dust from pothole-riddled or dilapidated stretches of an 82.5-kilometre corridor from Mayapuri to Punjabi Bagh, passing through National Highway 44 (NH-44) and NH-9, has emerged as a major pollution source, according to a study carried out by CSIR-NEERI and the Central Road Research Institute at the behest of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

France returns sacred 'talking drum' looted during colonial rule to Côte d'Ivoire

2026-03-16T20:32:19+00:00

A sacred drum looted by French forces during its colonial rule in Côte d'Ivoire has been returned to the country, more than a century after it was taken.

Vicuna Air – a new model for international pet travel 'in cabin'

2026-03-16T20:17:13+00:00

Pet travel aviation innovator Vicuna Air unveiled its new 'Biscuit Class', an industry-first service allowing pets to travel solo without their owners – always in the cabin, always with a Vicuna Concierge.

Ghana print sector expands as retail growth and advertising demand drive investment in advanced production technologies

2026-03-14T21:55:06+00:00

Ghana’s visual communications and printing industry is entering a new phase of growth, driven by expanding retail activity, urban development, and rising demand for high-impact branding and advertising solutions.

Sub Saharan African economies among world’s fastest improving in global connectedness

2026-03-13T10:45:45+00:00

Globalization remains at a historically high level – despite escalating geopolitical tensions, rising U.S. tariffs, and unprecedented uncertainty about future trade policies.