cat

Ghana has rejected the United States’ proposed terms for bilateral health assistance, particularly conditions requiring the sharing of sensitive health data without guarantees of access to resulting medical innovations. This decision aligns with similar concerns raised by Zimbabwe, reflecting growing resistance among some African nations to what they view as unequal or transactional aid arrangements…. [Read More]

Harvard University has announced a three-year grant of $1.05 million to support the newly formed Association of Historically Black Colleges and Universities Research Institutions, a coalition of 15 HBCUs focused on strengthening research capacity, innovation, and collaboration. The funding is provided through the Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative and aims to enhance research… [Read More]

In New York City, the International Rescue Committee announced during World Immunization Week 2026 that it has delivered more than 30 million vaccine doses in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Working with partners under the REACH programme, funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the initiative has reached over one million “zero-dose” children who had never received… [Read More]

In Bujumbura, the Government of Burundi has officially launched the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine with support from global partners including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization. This marks a major step forward in preventing cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of death among women in the country. Cervical cancer remains… [Read More]

In Madaba, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has launched the second phase of consultative sessions to promote climate-smart agriculture across key regions of Jordan. These sessions are part of a broader initiative focused on improving water use efficiency and strengthening agricultural resilience in areas of the Dead Sea Basin that are… [Read More]

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in collaboration with the Government of Jamaica, provided fertilizer support to farmers during a ceremony held in Trelawny as part of recovery efforts following the impacts of Hurricanes Beryl and Melissa. The initiative aims to help restore agricultural production and support farmers in rebuilding their livelihoods… [Read More]

Between January and March 2026, countries across Latin America and the Caribbean reported multiple outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), affecting domestic poultry, wild birds, and commercial flocks. The spread of this transboundary disease has raised serious concerns for animal health, food security, and regional trade, prompting urgent coordinated action. In response, the World… [Read More]

Fish farmers in Georgia have strengthened their knowledge of food safety and aquatic animal health through a five-day training organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations under the ENPARD IV programme, with support from the European Union and Sweden. The initiative brought together over 40 aquaculture producers and sector stakeholders to… [Read More]

In Cox’s Bazar, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has received funding from the Bangladesh Humanitarian Fund to implement urgent interventions aimed at protecting Rohingya refugees from life-threatening landslides ahead of the monsoon season. The initiative focuses on stabilizing vulnerable slopes and strengthening community preparedness to reduce risks for tens of thousands… [Read More]

In Dakar, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations conducted a regional online training course in early 2026 aimed at strengthening preventive livestock healthcare across West Africa. Delivered through its Virtual Learning Center for West Africa, the course focused on helping veterinarians and paraprofessionals transition from reactive disease response to proactive prevention, ultimately… [Read More]

The World Health Organization has validated Australia for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, marking a major milestone in both national and global health efforts. Trachoma, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide, spreading through close contact, contaminated surfaces, and flies. Its elimination in Australia reflects significant… [Read More]

A mother’s urgent journey to seek care for her child with severe malaria highlights the everyday reality faced by many families in Angola. While timely treatment saved her son, malaria continues to claim thousands of lives across the country, particularly among children under five and pregnant women. With millions of cases and thousands of deaths… [Read More]

Asmara and Eritrea’s mountainous central region are home to seasonally migratory and nomadic populations, making access to essential health services difficult. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, facing higher risks such as maternal mortality and gaps in immunization due to geographic isolation, mobility, and cultural factors. To address these challenges, flexible and community-driven outreach approaches… [Read More]

Access to essential resources such as markets, financial services, weather data, and technical support remains limited for around 100 million small-scale farmers in Southeast Asia, who produce the majority of the region’s food. Despite this, widespread smartphone ownership—reaching more than three-quarters of the population—has opened new opportunities for digital technologies to reshape agriculture. These tools… [Read More]

The World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Standard Chartered have announced a new $300 million risk-sharing facility to strengthen supply chains and support business growth across Africa. The initiative will operate in eight countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia, and will focus on key sectors such… [Read More]

A new initiative led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, in partnership with Norfund aims to expand access to reliable, renewable electricity for nearly 500,000 households and businesses in underserved communities across Nigeria. The program focuses on scaling off-grid and distributed energy solutions to strengthen local economies, support… [Read More]

The FIFA Council has approved amendments to its Governance Regulations that allow for the official recognition of the Afghanistan Women’s National Team in exile, marking a major development for gender equity and human rights in sport. The decision, taken on April 29, 2026, enables FIFA to register national teams for official competitions when their home… [Read More]

A panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled on April 24 that the government cannot deny asylum seekers the right to apply for asylum simply because they arrive at the southern border. The court rejected the Trump administration’s policy based on an Inauguration Day proclamation describing an… [Read More]

Nepali authorities have halted the processing of applications for transgender people seeking to change their legal gender on identity documents, marking a significant setback in the country’s previously progressive approach to gender identity recognition. Human Rights Watch reports that this suspension undermines years of legal and policy advances rooted in Nepal’s Supreme Court ruling of… [Read More]

Amnesty International has warned that fragile and temporary ceasefires across the Middle East, including those involving the United States, Iran, Israel, and Lebanon, must be urgently replaced with a comprehensive and sustained regional ceasefire to prevent further civilian suffering and uphold international law. Despite a reduction in hostilities, violence continues across multiple countries, with ongoing… [Read More]

The recent Transition Away from Fossil Fuels (TAFF) conference in Santa Marta, Colombia brought together more than 53 countries, along with representatives from academia, business, and civil society, to discuss practical pathways for moving beyond coal, oil, and gas toward renewable energy systems, following limited progress on fossil fuel phase-out at COP30 in Brazil. UN… [Read More]

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has expressed alarm over a sharp escalation in repression in Iran amid ongoing conflict, warning that fundamental rights are being increasingly violated. According to the UN human rights office, at least 21 people have been executed and more than 4,000 arrested on national security-related charges since late… [Read More]

The Government of Ontario is investing over $20 million through the Experience Ontario 2026 program to support nearly 400 festivals and events across the province, aiming to strengthen tourism, create jobs, and promote local culture and identity. The funding will help municipalities and organizers deliver a wide range of events, including music, food, arts, Indigenous,… [Read More]