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The Irish government has approved funding for a new domestic violence refuge in Dundalk, announced jointly by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, and the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan. The €6.5 million project, led by Women’s Aid Dundalk, will now move forward with the formal awarding… [Read More]

The National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) is launching a new initiative, Defence Industry Assist (DI Assist), aimed at providing funding and expert advice to high-potential Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing made-in-Canada defence and dual-use technologies. Announced by Minister Mélanie Joly on January 9, 2026, the program is… [Read More]

Latest UN data shows that conflict in Sudan has uprooted 9.3 million people internally, with over 4.3 million fleeing across borders, placing immense pressure on neighbouring countries. At the same time, more than 21 million people across the country are acutely food insecure, facing severe shortages of basic necessities. Although some displaced individuals have returned… [Read More]

UNMISS released its latest quarterly human rights brief covering July to September 2025, highlighting a continued deterioration in South Sudan’s political and security situation. The period was marked by persistent inter- and intra-communal violence involving community militias and civil defence groups, hostilities between warring parties and other armed actors—including alleged foreign involvement—heightened political tensions between… [Read More]

Following the release of the White House Memorandum, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reaffirmed that the Organization will continue to carry out its mandates from Member States “with determination.” The memorandum, issued by the US administration, states that the country is “ceasing participation in or funding to those entities to the extent permitted by law.” While… [Read More]

The Spotlight Initiative, a United Nations–European Union partnership, emphasizes that effective action against gender-based violence occurs when women and girls are “at the heart of every decision,” according to Erin Kenny, the Initiative’s Global Coordinator. Since its launch in 2017, Spotlight has worked to prevent all forms of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, femicide,… [Read More]

The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran expressed alarm over credible reports that Iranian security forces had been ordered to carry out a “decisive” crackdown on protesters without restraint, as demonstrations entered their third week. On the evening of 8 January, internet and mobile connectivity were shut down, severely limiting access to information as the… [Read More]

UN agencies have warned that nearly three years of sustained violence, restricted humanitarian access, and shrinking funding have pushed Sudan into the largest humanitarian emergency in the world. An estimated 33.7 million people—around two-thirds of the population—are expected to need humanitarian assistance in 2026, with more than 20 million requiring health support and 21 million… [Read More]

From an early age, Safia learned the importance of looking out for others. As a primary school student, she began helping newly arrived families by translating at GP appointments and other essential meetings, drawing on her own family’s experience of migration. Today, Safia leads the Women’s Inclusive Team (WIT) as Chief Executive, a grassroots charity… [Read More]

The Health Information and Digital Health (HID) unit at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific has successfully supported 19 countries, covering 99% of the Region’s population, in conducting comprehensive health information system (HIS) assessments. This achievement surpasses the regional target of 15 countries set for 2025 and advances efforts toward universal health coverage…. [Read More]

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has urged countries across the Americas to remain vigilant and strengthen health system preparedness due to the simultaneous circulation of seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This dual circulation could place additional pressure on hospitals and clinics for the remainder of the Northern Hemisphere winter season. The alert… [Read More]

T Sopo, a 31-year-old from Tsalka, is taking her first steps toward building a small cheese business with her mother. She emphasizes the importance of supporting other women farmers, sharing information about projects, training, and exhibitions to help their businesses grow. Alongside her entrepreneurial efforts, Sopo founded the non-profit Tsalka Development Center and runs a… [Read More]

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe and funded by the French Government, has coordinated the Agricultural Voucher System under the Nourish and Thrive: Inclusive and Sustainable Nutrition and Livelihoods Initiative Project. This initiative aims to enhance food security and nutrition by providing rural households… [Read More]

Nearly one in three people in Sudan has been displaced, either within the country or across borders, over the past one thousand days since the outbreak of the conflict. This crisis has devastated lives, uprooted communities, and triggered the largest displacement emergency in the world, with an average of five displacement-triggering events occurring every week… [Read More]

The OPEC Fund for International Development and the Trade and Development Bank Group have joined the Alliance for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, reinforcing efforts to accelerate agro-industrialisation across Africa. Launched at the 2023 Africa Investment Forum in Marrakech, Morocco, the Alliance combines financing, technical expertise, and private sector engagement to scale agricultural value-chain development throughout… [Read More]

Rice production in Mali is increasingly threatened by climate-related stresses such as unpredictable rainfall, droughts, flooding, and a higher incidence of pests and diseases. These challenges exacerbate the vulnerability of rice monoculture systems, which depend on consistent water supply and fertile soils, leading to declining soil health, increased production risks, and greater reliance on agricultural… [Read More]

Rice is the primary staple in Mali, forming the backbone of livelihoods for rural farm households who rely on rice farming for food security and income. However, the country is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, irregular rainfall, and heatwaves, which have increasingly threatened rice production. In 2025, severe flooding in key… [Read More]

Project Lemon Aid brings shark science out of the field and into classrooms across the Turks & Caicos Islands, transforming research into engaging, hands-on learning experiences. While the team collects data on lemon sharks in mangroves and sandy flats, these real-world findings are translated into lessons that help students understand shark biology, local marine ecosystems,… [Read More]

After reconnaissance surveys supported by the Save Our Seas Foundation, intervention sites were identified in three coastal municipalities in Benin: POPAC in Cotonou, Ahouandji in Ouidah, and Agoué in Grand-Popo. The project team, assisted by trained enumerators, conducted surveys with 300 respondents, including fishermen and fishmongers, to assess knowledge of the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, awareness… [Read More]

Seychelles is celebrated for its turquoise waters, vibrant marine life, and tropical landscapes, yet its fragile ecosystems face increasing threats from climate change, coral bleaching, rising sea levels, and coastal erosion. Protecting these environments requires more than policies; it demands educational initiatives that inspire young people to become stewards of the ocean. In Seychelles, the… [Read More]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is now deeply embedded in everyday decision-making, from determining loan approvals to managing traffic flow and prioritizing medical interventions. In this context, AI education requires instructors who go beyond theory, providing students with practical insights from real-world experiences in deploying AI systems, shaping policy, and managing ethical and operational tradeoffs. Practitioner faculty,… [Read More]

The federal government of Canada is inviting proposals for projects that aim to enhance equity and prevent harassment in federally regulated workplaces, with a total of $16.5 million in funding available over the next three years. Employment and Social Development Canada, in collaboration with the Privy Council Office, launched two calls for proposals targeting employers… [Read More]

Masspara village, situated in Badapaktari Panchayat, Jharkhand, faced severe challenges in accessing clean and reliable water before 2025. Residents relied on a nearby spring well located at a lower elevation, which required women and children to walk long distances daily, carry heavy pots of water, and climb back uphill. This task consumed several hours each… [Read More]