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Bangladesh’s development sector is undergoing a major disruption following the sudden collapse of foreign aid, particularly after a US government directive that paused and later terminated a large share of USAID-funded programmes. The decision led to the suspension of hundreds of millions of dollars in projects, including health, research, and humanitarian programmes, affecting tens of… [Read More]

In 2025, about 2.2 billion people remain offline, with 96 percent of them living in low- and middle-income countries. Even among those who are connected, mobile broadband remains unaffordable in roughly 60 percent of these countries. While headline connectivity figures show progress, the underlying quality gap is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. To address these… [Read More]

As Sudan’s conflict enters its fourth year, humanitarian needs in North Darfur continue to intensify, with growing displacement placing severe pressure on already limited resources and basic services. Many families fleeing violence have arrived in overcrowded displacement sites where access to clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and livelihoods remains critically inadequate. In North Darfur’s Tawila area,… [Read More]

In Türkiye, menstrual justice is still treated more as relief than as a matter of public responsibility. Urgent needs such as product shortages or missed school days are easier to recognise, but structural change remains harder to achieve. This reflects a wider climate where gender equality is politically contested, especially after Türkiye’s withdrawal from the… [Read More]

A community-based organization, ACODEFEM (Community-based Action to Support Women’s Development), has launched a reproductive health initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo aimed at strengthening the capacity of pharmacists to provide support for medical abortion services. The project was implemented between April and June 2026 in selected communes of Kinshasa, including Matete, Masina, and Kimbanseke…. [Read More]

A coalition of international humanitarian and development organizations has strongly condemned the killing of Wesam Qaid, Acting Executive Director of Yemen’s Social Fund for Development (SFD). According to the joint statement, Qaid was abducted on 3 May and later found dead in Aden, prompting widespread concern among aid and development groups operating in Yemen. Wesam… [Read More]

CIMB Bank Bhd and CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd will begin accepting applications for their SME Stabilisation Relief Facility (SRF) from May 15 until December 31, 2026, or until the allocated funds are fully utilised. The SRF is part of Bank Negara Malaysia’s RM5 billion relief package designed to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)… [Read More]

A non-governmental organisation, Deborah’s Impact Project Global, has provided food items and free medical services to around 300 vulnerable households in the Oniru community of Lagos. The outreach initiative was designed to support widows, elderly individuals, and low-income families struggling with economic hardship. The programme included the distribution of food packs alongside basic medical screenings… [Read More]

Islamic finance expert Tan Sri Dr Mohd Daud Bakar has been charged again, this time for allegedly embezzling over RM10 million together with company director Datuk Norliza Tajudin. Both face seven counts of criminal breach of trust under Section 409 of the Penal Code, including allegations involving RM2 million belonging to former deputy minister Datuk… [Read More]

An environmental NGO, Awaaz Foundation, has urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene in the proposed Maharashtra Maritime Board (Regulation of Display of Advertisements) Regulations 2026. The group has raised serious concerns about the environmental and ecological impact of allowing commercial advertisements along the state’s coastline. The proposed policy, notified by the Maharashtra Maritime… [Read More]

The United Nations has highlighted the growing severity of humanitarian crises across several conflict-affected and vulnerable regions worldwide. Ongoing violence, displacement, economic instability, and climate-related pressures continue to place millions of people at risk, increasing the demand for emergency assistance and protection services. According to the report, civilians remain the most affected by worsening insecurity… [Read More]

Oil prices rallied sharply on Monday after President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s response to a US peace proposal as “unacceptable,” raising fears over supply disruptions with the Strait of Hormuz still largely closed. Brent crude climbed to US$103.99 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate rose to US$97.66, both having touched higher levels earlier in… [Read More]

The Madrid City Council has announced the ten startups selected to participate in the XIII Madrid Emprende Investment Forum, which will take place on 27 May 2026 at the Palacio de Cibeles. The initiative aims to connect innovative startups with private investors, accelerate business growth, and strengthen Madrid’s position as a leading hub for entrepreneurship… [Read More]

Foreign investors returned as net buyers of Malaysian equities last week after three consecutive weeks of net selling, recording a net inflow of RM95.2 million compared to a net outflow of RM160.8 million the week before. This lifted their year-to-date (YTD) 2026 net inflow to RM3.1 billion, a sharp reversal from the RM22.6 billion net… [Read More]

The Ontario government has announced an investment of more than $14 million to improve critical water infrastructure in Lanark and Frontenac counties. The funding is part of the province’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Health and Safety Water Stream, designed to strengthen essential infrastructure, support housing development, and encourage long-term economic growth across Eastern Ontario. The… [Read More]

The United Nations reports a worsening global humanitarian situation marked by multiple overlapping crises across conflict-affected regions. Civilians continue to face increasing risks from armed violence, displacement, and destruction of essential infrastructure, while humanitarian access remains constrained in several areas. In different regions, ongoing hostilities have led to rising civilian casualties and large-scale displacement. Communities… [Read More]

Maryland ratepayers are facing a projected $1.6 billion increase in electric bills over the next decade, averaging about $345 per household, due to transmission upgrades largely driven by data centers in Northern Virginia. The state’s Office of People’s Counsel (OPC) has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), arguing that PJM Interconnection’s… [Read More]

The Ontario government is investing more than $14 million to improve water and stormwater infrastructure in Lanark and Frontenac counties as part of its broader strategy to support housing development and economic growth. The funding comes through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Health and Safety Water Stream, which focuses on strengthening essential infrastructure needed to… [Read More]

The Ontario government has announced a $5.5 million investment to support Greenwater Technology in producing renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel using mill by-products and underutilized wood resources. The initiative is designed to create new market opportunities for Ontario’s forest sector while helping transportation and aviation industries transition toward cleaner fuel alternatives. The investment also… [Read More]

The Government of Ontario has announced an investment of more than $3 million to strengthen sports and recreation infrastructure in Sault Ste. Marie. The funding package includes support for hosting the 2028 Ontario Winter Games and redevelopment work at the John Rhodes Community Centre. The initiative aims to promote tourism, create employment opportunities, and improve… [Read More]

The FAO Private Sector Dialogue: Shaping Private Sector Perspectives was held on 29 April in Izmir, Türkiye, jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Izmir Commodity Exchange (ICE). The consultation provided a strategic platform to align private sector perspectives with regional food security and sustainable agriculture objectives,… [Read More]

The World Health Organization (WHO) is undergoing a major restructuring, triggered by the US withdrawal and a deep budget crisis, which has led to significant staff cuts and shifts in workforce composition. While WHO claims to have achieved gender parity among its 8,569 staff members, recent data shows women’s representation declined slightly from 50.1% in… [Read More]

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and Bank Indonesia (BI) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two central banks. The agreement establishes a comprehensive framework for collaboration across key areas of central banking, including monetary policy, financial stability, macroprudential policy, payment systems and digitalisation, financial sector development, capacity-building, and… [Read More]