cat

Following renewed clashes between Syrian authorities and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in north-east Syria, control over certain detention facilities and camps holding people suspected of Islamic State (IS) affiliation has shifted to the Syrian authorities. Kristine Beckerle, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, emphasized that these… [Read More]

The Syrian Private Sector Dialogue (PSD) is a flagship initiative led by the United Nations Development Programme with support from the Government of Japan, designed to bring together Syrian business leaders from across the country and the diaspora. Since 2018, the Dialogue has served as a trusted, evidence-based platform where entrepreneurs, chambers, policymakers, and international… [Read More]

After more than a decade of conflict, Syria is entering a pivotal moment following the 2024 transition. The country faces immense challenges, but also significant potential to rebuild livelihoods and restore economic stability. Central to this recovery are Syrian workers, entrepreneurs, and businesses that have endured years of instability, demonstrating resilience that can serve as… [Read More]

Uncertainty defined 2025 in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), with economic, social, and political volatility reaching historic highs. These pressures are set to continue in 2026, fueled by shifting geopolitical alliances, evolving trade rules, and a dense calendar of elections. Some countries benefit from higher commodity prices and renewed investment, while others remain mired… [Read More]

In 2025, India made significant strides in empowering millions of its citizens, from farmers to women and youth, through systemic improvements in digital health, social protection, and skills development. These changes provided stability, new opportunities, and practical support, reaching 42 million farmers, 32 million women, and 116,000 youth, and contributing to broader national progress. Dr…. [Read More]

When education systems fail to reflect the realities young people face, the cost extends beyond lost opportunity—it limits human potential. Around the world, millions of young people experience education that is unequal, inaccessible, or disconnected from their everyday lives. Yet these same youth often emerge as innovators, imagining solutions where systems fall short. Since 2019,… [Read More]

A U.S.-funded medical research trial in Guinea-Bissau has sparked heated debate over ethics, necessity, and scientific validity. Public health experts have criticized the study as unethical, drawing comparisons to the infamous Tuskegee Experiment, while the U.S. government and the researchers involved have promoted it as a rare opportunity to examine broader health effects of the… [Read More]

The Ministry for Culture, Lands, and Local Government, in collaboration with the Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth, Research and Innovation, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, and Festivals Malta, has provided financial support to 42 cultural organizations through the new Funding Scheme for Youth Cultural Organizations Participating in Carnival 2026. A total of €160,000 was distributed to the organizations, reflecting… [Read More]

Children in the Bangsamoro region of the southern Philippines have long been exposed to hazardous work, scavenging in dump sites and laboring in agricultural fields from dawn to dusk. Many collected plastics and cans for sale, facing toxic exposure while missing out on education. One former scavenger reflected, “We live near the garbage dump. We… [Read More]

The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) was established in 2002 to address challenges in delivering infrastructure projects across Africa, South, and Southeast Asia. Since its inception, PIDG has provided 232 million people with access to essential infrastructure, including renewable energy, safe transport, clean water, sanitation, digital connectivity, and climate-resilient food systems. Its work focuses on… [Read More]

Systemic barriers continue to prevent girls from completing their education, including child marriage, poverty, conflict, discrimination, and shrinking education budgets. After more than a decade leading the global movement for girls’ education, it has become clear that no single program can overcome these interconnected challenges. Real change requires systemic solutions—laws, budgets, financing systems, and global… [Read More]

Health facilities across Ukraine continue to operate under extremely challenging conditions, putting immense pressure on the country’s healthcare system. To support the continuity of essential services, WHO, in partnership with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief), has delivered critical medical equipment to frontline-adjacent health facilities. The latest shipment included 15 anaesthesia machines,… [Read More]

Rotary International has granted US$9.9 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) in Pakistan to support the vaccination of 27 million children in high-risk districts against polio. This funding strengthens the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative, which conducts regular nationwide and subnational campaigns reaching over 45 million children annually. The effort is coordinated with the Government… [Read More]

Over two million people across Kenya are experiencing worsening food insecurity following one of the driest October to December 2025 rainy seasons on record. The prolonged drought has led to rising malnutrition rates, increased risk of disease outbreaks, and disrupted access to essential health services. The short rains, which typically bring seasonal rainfall between October… [Read More]

The European Union has announced a €10 million investment to launch Phase II of the Women’s Economic Empowerment through Local Enterprise Development (WE-LEAD) programme in Afghanistan. Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the initiative aims to support Afghan women’s livelihoods and economic agency, building on the successes and lessons of WE-LEAD Phase I… [Read More]

The European Union has announced a €1.9 billion humanitarian aid budget for 2026, with €557 million specifically allocated to West and Central Africa, including the Sahel, Lake Chad basin, and North-West Nigeria. This funding excludes a separate €14.6 million dedicated to North Africa. The announcement comes amid growing humanitarian needs, with 239 million people worldwide… [Read More]

The governments of Canada and Manitoba have announced a two-year, $300,000 extension to the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program (MFWP) through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. This renewal aims to continue supporting the mental health and wellness of Manitoba’s agricultural community, including farmers, farm families, and agricultural employees, by providing access to professional counselling tailored to… [Read More]

The UK government has unveiled a new National Cancer Plan aimed at ending the postcode lottery in cancer care, ensuring that patients in rural, coastal, and deprived communities have the same access to specialists, technology, and treatments as those in major cities. People living in areas with fewer cancer consultants often face long waits for… [Read More]

Recent developments across multiple regions highlight escalating humanitarian crises. In Ukraine, attacks have intensified in several areas, including the Odesa region, where a 17-year-old boy was killed, prompting UNICEF to call for an end to strikes on civilian zones and essential infrastructure. The southeastern city of Kryvyi Rih faced renewed attacks, disrupting communities already affected… [Read More]

The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, has reaffirmed its commitment to continue investigating alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in pursuit of justice and accountability. Srinivasan Muralidhar, Chair of the Commission, emphasized that the body operates under a mandate approved by the… [Read More]

The United Nations has issued a strong call for far-reaching financial reform, warning that current global investment patterns are driving environmental destruction rather than sustainability. According to the State of Finance for Nature 2026 report, for every dollar invested in protecting nature, around 30 dollars are spent on activities that harm it. The report argues… [Read More]

One year into Syria’s post-Assad transition, nearly three million refugees and internally displaced people have returned home, signaling cautious progress after more than a decade of conflict. However, United Nations officials warn that the country remains extremely fragile, with persistent threats from ISIL, unresolved sectarian and ethnic tensions, the presence of foreign fighters, and unsecured… [Read More]

The United Nations has warned of a sharp global rise in internet shutdowns, with UNESCO reporting that governments are increasingly cutting online access during protests, elections, and periods of crisis. The agency emphasized that such measures persist despite the central role of internet connectivity in democratic participation and the exercise of fundamental rights. According to… [Read More]