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In 2016, blockchain, also known as distributed ledger technology, was gaining global attention as a tool to improve how information is recorded and shared. Industries such as diamonds were already using blockchain to create secure digital passports for tracking ownership and documentation. While its potential benefits for government were less clear, departments recognized the need… [Read More]

The UK government has announced a new support package that will cover the travel costs of children and young people with cancer, providing up to £10 million a year. This initiative addresses a key recommendation of the Children and Young People’s Cancer Taskforce and is part of the broader National Cancer Plan aimed at transforming… [Read More]

Sellafield Ltd, in collaboration with the Robotics & AI Collaboration (RAICo), has successfully trialled a patent-pending contamination swabbing tool mounted on a quadruped robot in a radioactive area. The trial showcased how robotics can support routine health physics tasks efficiently while reducing the need for personnel to enter potentially hazardous environments. Swabbing is a critical… [Read More]

The Student Loans Company (SLC) has opened applications for its Autumn 2026 Graduate Programme, aiming to develop the next generation of technology, data, and business professionals. The organisation, which employs over 3,000 people across four sites in Glasgow, Hillington, Darlington, and Llandudno Junction, is offering graduates the chance to join a two-year rotational programme designed… [Read More]

More than 11.48 million people filed their Self Assessment tax returns for the 2024 to 2025 tax year by the 31 January deadline, with 97.25% of returns submitted online. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reported that 475,722 taxpayers filed on the final day, including 27,456 in the last hour. The busiest submission hour was 17:00… [Read More]

The New Zealand Government, through the Māori Development Fund, is investing in early-stage work for a proposed water storage reservoir near Kaitaia to strengthen regional resilience and support food production, according to Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The project is led by Te Make Farms Ltd, owned by Ngāi Takoto, and aims to improve year-round… [Read More]

New Zealand and Germany reaffirmed their close and enduring partnership, rooted in shared democratic values, respect for international law, and a commitment to addressing global challenges collaboratively. Both nations celebrated the strength of their bilateral relationship and expressed their intention to further deepen cooperation across strategic, economic, security, and people-to-people domains. The two countries emphasized… [Read More]

Every year, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science celebrates curiosity, creativity, and the courage to explore. It recognises the role women and girls play in shaping discoveries, driving innovations, and imagining a better future through science. The day highlights the importance of equal access to scientific education and opportunities, encouraging more girls… [Read More]

The Public Service Minister, Judith Collins, has announced an updated Code of Conduct designed to strengthen integrity across New Zealand’s Public Sector. The new Code aims to ensure public servants act with the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and professionalism, meeting the expectations of the public they serve. Built around the core values of the… [Read More]

Rwanda achieved unprecedented success in containing a Marburg hemorrhagic fever outbreak, reducing the fatality rate to 22.7 percent, thanks to rapid government action and timely support from the Pandemic Fund and partner organizations. The outbreak occurred while Rwanda was still managing an active mpox outbreak, prompting a swift declaration and response to prevent further spread…. [Read More]

In Latin America and the Caribbean, health systems face mounting pressures from factors such as migration, tourism, and shortages of frontline workers, while rising temperatures and natural disasters increase the risk of waterborne and vector-borne diseases. This interconnectedness amplifies the region’s vulnerability to cross-border outbreaks, as demonstrated by recent dengue and Zika epidemics. Experts warn… [Read More]

A recent UNESCO report, supported by the European Commission and published on Holocaust Remembrance Day, reveals that more than three quarters of teachers in the European Union have encountered antisemitic incidents in their classrooms. The survey highlights alarming levels of Holocaust denial, distortion, and physical violence against Jewish students, underscoring a persistent and serious challenge… [Read More]

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Chief Executive Ian Chapman has addressed recent concerns in an open letter to the research and innovation community, outlining changes to UKRI’s investment approach and the financial position of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). Chapman acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding funding levels for curiosity-driven and applied research, emphasizing that… [Read More]

The United Kingdom is introducing Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) for visitors who do not currently require a visa for short stays or who do not hold an existing UK immigration status. Eligible European travellers can begin applying for an ETA from 5 March 2025, and the requirement to hold an ETA for travel to the… [Read More]

The World Health Organization, working with the World Trade Organization and the World Customs Organization, has supported a major update to the global system used by countries to classify goods at customs. As part of the Harmonized System 2028, which will enter into force on 1 January 2028, thirty-eight new customs codes will be introduced… [Read More]

Six years after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the pandemic’s impact continues to shape global health priorities and collective memory. While the emergency phase officially ended in May 2023, WHO now reflects on whether the world is better prepared for the next pandemic. The answer, according to… [Read More]

Dr Amos Rutherford Azinu, Founder and CEO of the Legacy Crop Improvement Centre (LCIC), has urged Ghana to adopt India’s seed cluster development model as a proven strategy for achieving food security, empowering farmers, and modernizing agriculture. Speaking after attending the India–Africa Seed Summit in Hyderabad, Dr Azinu emphasized that the summit highlighted how purposeful… [Read More]

In Taok Commune, located in northwestern Cambodia, Indigenous families rely heavily on community forestry and small-scale agriculture for their livelihoods, cultural practices, and food security. In recent years, however, these forests have come under increasing pressure from deforestation and climate change, posing threats to crops, food sources, and traditional ways of life. As local Por… [Read More]

In Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on January 29, 2026, IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Confédération Générale des Entreprises de Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI) announced the launch of the Local Champions Acceleration Initiative. The program aims to identify and support high-potential local businesses that demonstrate market maturity, strong organizational capacity, and the ability… [Read More]

The Inception Workshop for the Global Elimination Program for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (GEP-PCB) was held from 27 to 29 January 2026 at the African Development Bank headquarters in Abidjan. The event marked a significant step in supporting African countries to fulfill their obligations under the Stockholm Convention while enhancing the performance and sustainability of their electricity… [Read More]

The Joint EU–UNDP Initiative for Lasting and Inclusive Peace – Phase II (FLIP II) has launched a call for proposals inviting local civil society organizations, think tanks, research centers, academic institutions, and eligible international NGOs to submit confidence-building grant ideas. The initiative encourages applications from women- and youth-led organizations, grassroots groups, and applicants from diverse… [Read More]

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) kicked off 2026 by issuing its thirteenth sustainable bond, a private placement under its Sustainable Development Finance Framework, to three investors. The SEK 750 million note was led by Skandia, supporting IFAD for the third time, alongside two new investors, AP3 and Kammarkollegiet. The proceeds from the bond… [Read More]

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) began 2026 by issuing its thirteenth sustainable bond under its Sustainable Development Finance Framework. The SEK 750 million private placement was acquired by three investors: Skandia, the lead investor supporting IFAD for the third time, and two new investors, AP3 and Kammarkollegiet. The proceeds from the bond will… [Read More]