San Francisco-based robotics startup Physical Intelligence is reportedly in discussions to raise around $1 billion in new funding, a move that could push the company’s valuation above $11 billion and highlight growing investor confidence in artificial intelligence-powered robotics. Founded by Karol Hausman, Sergey Levine, and Chelsea Finn, Physical Intelligence is developing advanced AI systems designed… [Read More]
Western Australia Offers More Than $142,000 in Grants to Support Youth Week WA 2027 Events
Community groups, local governments, and organisations across Western Australia can now apply for more than $142,000 in funding to deliver free events celebrating and empowering young people during Youth Week WA 2027. The grants programme will support activities taking place from 16 to 23 April 2027, giving young people opportunities to share their ideas, showcase… [Read More]
UNDP and European Union Launch €15 Million Project to Support Debris Management and Recovery Efforts in Gaza
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union have launched a new €15 million project to support emergency debris removal and strengthen nationally led forensic recovery and identification capacities in the Gaza Strip. Implemented through the UNDP Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP), the initiative aims to address urgent safety and… [Read More]
UNDP Launches Women’s Leadership Academy Programme in Morocco to Advance Digital-Era Leadership
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has completed the Morocco rollout of the Women’s Leadership Academy for the Digital Era, a programme designed to strengthen women’s leadership skills and support inclusive governance in an increasingly digital world. Held from 24 to 26 June 2026 in Casablanca, the three-day programme brought together 20 Moroccan women leaders… [Read More]
EBRD Launches SME Support Programme to Boost Private Sector Growth in Senegal
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched a new support programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Senegal, aiming to strengthen private-sector growth, improve access to finance, and help businesses expand into new markets. The initiative follows the opening of the EBRD’s first resident office in Senegal’s capital, Dakar. During the… [Read More]
PAHO and OAS Launch New School Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Organization of American States (OAS) have launched new guidelines to help countries across the Americas develop policies that promote healthy eating and physical activity in schools. The initiative comes as childhood overweight, obesity, and physical inactivity continue to increase, creating long-term health risks for younger generations. More… [Read More]
African Economic Conference Launches Chief Economists Network to Strengthen Policy Leadership
African policymakers, development institutions, and leading economists have launched the African Chief Economists Network (ACE-Network), a continent-wide platform aimed at strengthening evidence-based policymaking and helping African countries develop coordinated responses to complex global economic challenges. The launch was one of the key outcomes of the African Economic Conference 2026, held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, under… [Read More]
African Economic Conference 2026 Opens in Abidjan to Shape Africa’s Role in a Multipolar World
The African Economic Conference 2026 has opened in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, bringing together economists, policymakers, researchers, and development experts to discuss strategies for strengthening Africa’s geopolitical influence and economic resilience in an increasingly multipolar world. Hosted by the African Development Bank Group, the three-day conference is being held under the theme “Strengthening Africa’s Geopolitical Agency… [Read More]
Europe Launches €80 Billion Investment Alliance to Scale Up Tech Leaders
Europe has launched a major investment initiative to help innovative technology companies grow into global leaders, with the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, EU governments, and private institutional investors joining forces to mobilise up to €80 billion in funding for European tech scale-ups. The initiative marks the second phase of the European Tech Champions Initiative… [Read More]
World Bank Approves US$77.2 Million Project to Boost Tourism and Jobs in Peru
The World Bank has approved a US$77.2 million project to strengthen Peru’s Arequipa–Colca tourism corridor, supporting sustainable tourism, attracting private investment, and creating quality jobs across southern Peru. The initiative is designed to improve tourism infrastructure and services while enhancing cultural and natural heritage sites to drive long-term regional economic growth. Unlike traditional infrastructure projects,… [Read More]
EIB Completes €290 Million Financing Package for Lithuania’s Rūdninkai Military Base
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has finalized a €290 million financing package to support the construction of Lithuania’s new military base in the Rūdninkai area, strengthening defence infrastructure and regional security in the Baltic region. The financing covers three major sections of the Rūdninkai Military Town project, which is planned to become a NATO facility… [Read More]
Europe Launches €80 Billion Investment Alliance to Scale Up Technology Leaders
Europe is launching a major investment initiative to help innovative technology companies grow into global leaders, with the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, EU governments, and private investors joining forces to mobilize up to €80 billion in funding. The second phase of the European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI 2.0) aims to address Europe’s scale-up financing… [Read More]
€100 Million European Investment Supports Future-Proof Drinking Water Network in North Holland
A major investment initiative is set to strengthen drinking water infrastructure in the Dutch province of North Holland as the European Investment Bank (EIB) provides €100 million in financing to PWN, the region’s drinking water company. The loan, supported by the European Commission’s InvestEU programme, will help PWN modernize, expand, and protect its drinking water… [Read More]
High Recruitment Costs Continue to Burden Nepali Migrant Workers, New Survey Finds
A new national survey in Nepal has revealed that high recruitment costs remain a major challenge for migrant workers, increasing their risk of debt and exploitation before they begin employment abroad. The National Statistics Office (NSO) of Nepal, with technical support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), conducted the country’s first national survey on recruitment… [Read More]
New Financing Initiative Helps Bangladesh Return Migrants Build Businesses
A new financing initiative in Bangladesh is creating fresh opportunities for returnee migrant workers by helping them use their overseas skills, experience, and savings to establish sustainable businesses. The BDT 50 million initiative, launched by the SME Foundation and Karmasangsthan Bank with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) Bangladesh and the Embassy of Switzerland,… [Read More]
Aid Cuts Could Accelerate Shift Toward Local Civil Society Funding
International development funding is facing a historic decline as governments reduce foreign aid budgets. While these spending cuts have raised concerns about the future of global development, experts believe they could also accelerate a long-awaited shift toward funding local civil society organizations (CSOs). For years, development leaders have argued that local organizations are better positioned… [Read More]
Linux Foundation to Launch Open Health Stack Software Foundation to Advance Digital Health Innovation
The Linux Foundation has announced plans to launch the Open Health Stack Software Foundation (OHS-SF), a new open source initiative designed to accelerate the development of AI-enabled digital health solutions and improve access to interoperable healthcare systems worldwide. The foundation will provide a vendor-neutral, community-led platform for developers, healthcare organizations, and technology partners to collaborate… [Read More]
Century-Old BCG Vaccine May Offer New Clues in Alzheimer’s Disease Research
A century-old tuberculosis vaccine may have a surprising role beyond preventing infectious disease, with new research suggesting that the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine could influence immune responses linked to Alzheimer’s disease. A recent study found that BCG vaccination may change the behaviour of immune cells around the brain and affect levels of amyloid beta, a… [Read More]
The Fight Against Ebola Is a Logistics Challenge as Much as a Medical One
When Ebola outbreaks occur, public attention often focuses on vaccines, treatments, and healthcare workers on the front lines. However, controlling the spread of the disease depends on more than medical innovation. Effective outbreak response requires strong logistics systems that can quickly deliver information, supplies, and healthcare resources to communities in need. Medical advances are only… [Read More]
EBRD Launches First Trade Finance Facility in Senegal with €15 Million Support for Ecobank
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has introduced its first trade finance facility in Senegal, providing up to €15 million to Ecobank Senegal under its Trade Facilitation Programme. The new facility will strengthen Senegal’s international trade capacity by supporting import and export activities, improving access to trade finance, and helping local businesses connect… [Read More]
EBRD and EU Support Women-Led Businesses in the West Bank with €2 Million Loan to Palestine Investment Bank
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in partnership with the European Union (EU), is expanding financial support for women-led businesses in the West Bank through a new €2 million loan to Palestine Investment Bank (PIB). The financing aims to improve access to capital for women-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), helping them… [Read More]
EBRD and Central Bank of Jordan Strengthen Financial Crime Compliance and Risk Management
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) have joined efforts to strengthen compliance practices and improve financial crime risk management across Jordan’s banking sector. The two institutions hosted a workshop in Amman on 8 and 9 July 2026, focusing on evolving regulatory requirements, international sanctions, and emerging… [Read More]
EBRD, GCF and EU Support Jordan’s Green Transition with $20 Million Green Finance Facility
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in partnership with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the European Union (EU), is supporting Jordan’s green transition through a new financing initiative for climate-focused investments. The EBRD is providing a loan of up to US$20 million to Cairo Amman Bank (CAB), with the Green Climate Fund… [Read More]
