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The United Nations has reported a sharp rise in civilian casualties in Ukraine after intensified attacks across several regions during the first week of May 2026. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, at least 70 civilians have been killed and more than 500 injured in less than a week as violence… [Read More]

Bahrain and the United States have introduced a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council calling on Iran to stop attacks and threats against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal is supported by Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, reflecting growing regional concern over security and stability in… [Read More]

Oil prices have risen sharply due to geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global energy markets, bringing renewed attention to the strong connection between fossil fuels, plastics and climate change. Since most conventional plastics are produced from oil and natural gas, higher energy prices are increasing the cost of manufacturing plastic products. This situation is encouraging… [Read More]

Hopolang Phororo, the UN Resident Coordinator in Namibia, has reflected on the UN’s role in supporting the country’s ambition to create 500,000 jobs. She emphasized that stronger coordination between partners and programmes, a clearer focus on proven approaches, and improved engagement with small businesses will better equip Namibia’s labour market to generate opportunities and absorb… [Read More]

The United Nations has raised concerns over worsening humanitarian crises in Somalia, Gaza, Ukraine and Tunisia, highlighting growing hunger, conflict impacts and human rights violations affecting millions of people. In Somalia, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned that severe drought, conflict and funding shortages are driving millions into acute food insecurity. Around 6.5 million people… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched its first significant risk transfer (SRT) transaction worth €1 billion, marking a major step in mobilising private capital and expanding lending capacity in emerging markets. The initiative, structured as a synthetic securitisation and branded “Mosaic,” is designed to transfer credit risk on a diversified portfolio… [Read More]

The Government of Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development through a renewed contribution to the core resources of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The contribution reflects Bangladesh’s continued support for global development initiatives and its commitment to addressing complex international challenges through collective action. UNDP stated that flexible core… [Read More]

Bulgaria’s Sofia Airport is undergoing a major transformation through a long-term public-private partnership supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). With assistance from the EBRD’s Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility, the Bulgarian government successfully launched a 35-year concession aimed at unlocking investment, tourism and trade opportunities for… [Read More]

On 31 March 2026, the International Labour Organization (ILO) held a progress review meeting with Mongolia’s National Statistics Office (NSO) to advance efforts under the Formalization of the Informal Economy Project. The initiative builds on an e‑formalization assessment conducted in 2024, which explored the possibility of creating a national database of self‑employed workers by using… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with support from the European Union (EU), has announced a JOD 10 million ($14.1 million) loan to Aqaba Digital Hub (ADH) in Jordan to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and position it as a regional technology hub. Capital Bank of Jordan is also participating as a parallel… [Read More]

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has announced the three finalists for the 2026 EBRD Literature Prize, recognizing outstanding literary fiction translated into English from countries where the bank operates. The annual prize celebrates both authors and translators for bringing international literature to wider global audiences. The finalists for this year’s award include Akram Aylisli… [Read More]

During the 10th joint World Bank–French Development Agency Implementation Support Mission of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) in Abuja, stakeholders reviewed progress and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening rural connectivity and resilience across Nigeria. The mission, held from 4 to 8 May, brought together government representatives, development partners, and technical experts to… [Read More]

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Acba bank have signed a €50 million unfunded portfolio risk-sharing agreement aimed at improving access to finance for businesses in Armenia. The agreement was officially signed in London and is expected to strengthen support for the country’s private sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. Under the arrangement, the… [Read More]

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the São Paulo State Health Secretariat have strengthened their collaboration to improve health surveillance and emergency management systems amid rising public health challenges in the Americas. The initiative comes as countries continue addressing outbreaks of yellow fever, measles, COVID-19, and dengue across the region. From 27 April to… [Read More]

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has announced more than $2.2 million in tourism funding to support local marketing initiatives and strengthen economic growth across the Commonwealth. The funding, released during National Travel and Tourism Week, will support 143 tourism-related programs through grants and sponsorships managed by the Virginia Tourism Corporation. The tourism funding is expected to… [Read More]

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office Director for Zambia and Malawi, Mr. Wellington Chibebe, met with Irish Ambassador to Zambia, Mr. Aidan Fitzpatrick, in Lusaka to strengthen cooperation on advancing Zambia’s social protection agenda. The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration between the ILO and Ireland in promoting inclusive systems that safeguard vulnerable populations…. [Read More]

Kenya is strengthening its home-grown school feeding programme by connecting local farmers, schools, and communities through an integrated food system designed to improve nutrition, education, and rural livelihoods. Representatives from the United Nations, development partners, and government institutions recently visited Embu County to assess the programme’s progress and its role in supporting sustainable agriculture and… [Read More]

The largest liquefied natural gas exporter in the United States, reported a surprise net loss of $3.5 billion in the first quarter of 2026, compared to a profit of $353 million during the same period last year. The unexpected loss shocked analysts and caused the company’s shares to decline sharply during trading. The loss was… [Read More]

Cheniere Energy, the largest liquefied natural gas exporter in the United States, reported a significant first-quarter 2026 net loss of $3.5 billion compared to a profit of $353 million during the same period last year. The unexpected loss surprised analysts and caused the company’s shares to decline sharply during trading. The primary reason behind the… [Read More]

Nepal is advancing significant legal reforms to create safer, more inclusive workplaces free from violence and harassment. Supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), a comprehensive legal gap analysis has identified areas where national laws and policies can be strengthened to align with ILO Convention No. 189 on domestic workers and Convention No. 190 on… [Read More]

A newly upgraded visitor centre at Dún Aonghasa on Árainn in County Galway has officially opened following a €1.6 million investment led by the Office of Public Works (OPW), Fáilte Ireland, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The redevelopment aims to enhance the visitor experience at one of Ireland’s most important prehistoric… [Read More]

The Pan American Health Organization and France have strengthened their partnership to accelerate malaria elimination efforts across the Guiana Shield, a region considered one of the most challenging malaria transmission areas in the Americas. The renewed cooperation focuses on strengthening surveillance, prevention, and cross-border coordination in territories including Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and northern Brazil…. [Read More]

Ireland’s Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, visited County Cavan to officially open and launch several community and infrastructure projects supported by more than €10 million in government funding. The projects were funded through multiple rural development programmes aimed at improving recreation, tourism, accessibility, and community regeneration across the county…. [Read More]