News

Early today the 2nd president of Seychelles died aged 83. He was admitted to the hospital for respiratory problems on 12 February.

“He was a true patriot who cared about his country and his people”, Current President Danny Faure said on a national broadcaster, describing Mr René as the “modern-day architect of Seychelles”.

On 25 February the Award ceremony was held in Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles.

As promised, Queen with the Grammy-nominated singer and “American Idol” contestant Adam Lambert opened the Oscars with a medley performance of their hits We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions. The original band members Brian May and Roger Taylor on the stage and Freddie Mercury's huge photo in the background had a special meaning tonight as Queen’s rise to fame has been featured in the best motion picture nominee “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

Today Saint Lucia celebrates the 40th anniversary of independence. This public holiday marks the date when the island became an independent state of the Commonwealth of Nations in 1979.

In 1500 Juan de la Cosa noted the island on his map, calling it El Falcon. Christopher Columbus may have sighted the island during his fourth voyage in 1502 since he landed Martinique, although his log does not mention the island. A Spanish Cedula from 1511 mentions the island within the Spanish domain. A 1520 globe made in the Vatican shows the island named Sancta Lucia. A 1529 Spanish map shows S. Luzia.

The globally famous trio of drivers is back again this Friday.

Jeremy Clarkson drives the new Lamborghini Urus SUV on slippery roads of Sweden and ice races Grand Tour driver Abbie Eaton in a Porsche 911 Turbo across a frozen lake.

James May tests a French sports car Alpine A110 at the Eboladrome.

Richard Hammond profiles Scottish racing driver Jim Clark, a modest genius of the drive whose achievements on a track made him arguably the greatest of all time before his life was tragically cut short.

Safer Internet Day is celebrated annually in February. The special day has been established to promote "the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people". There are thousands of centres globally that patronise the event, coordinated by the joint Insafe/INHOPE network, with the support of the European Commission, and national Safer Internet Centres across Europe.

More than 100 SID Committees work closely with the Safer Internet Day Coordination Team, which is based in Brussels. Every national safer Internet centre (SIC) implements awareness and educational campaigns, runs a helpline, and works with youth to create a better internet.