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Cyclone Gezani struck eastern Madagascar on 10 February 2026 with winds exceeding 200 km/h, marking the second cyclone to hit the country within two weeks. The storm has affected over 270,000 people, displaced more than 16,000 individuals, and left at least 6,000 children without homes. In the hardest-hit Atsinanana region, particularly in Toamasina, damaged and… [Read More]

UNICEF has reported that over a third of Ukraine’s children—approximately 2,589,900—remain displaced as the war enters its fifth year. This includes more than 791,000 children displaced within Ukraine and nearly 1,798,900 living as refugees abroad. The ongoing conflict continues to threaten their safety, with attacks on civilian areas following many of these children even after… [Read More]

The Ontario government is celebrating a $141 million investment from Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Ltd. to renovate and expand its flagship manufacturing, distribution, and sales facility in Brampton. The expansion will introduce a cutting-edge production line capable of producing at least 20 million additional cases annually, creating up to 500 well-paying construction jobs and reinforcing Ontario’s… [Read More]

In the world of business, failure is often perceived as the end, yet many companies prove that setbacks can serve as stepping stones to success. The blog post “Lessons from Failures: Case Studies of Businesses That Pivoted Successfully Post-Crisis” examines companies that faced adversity but emerged stronger by strategically pivoting their business models. Through these… [Read More]

In 2025, the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed €740 million in financing in Morocco through EIB Global, marking the largest amount since 2012. This funding, developed in close cooperation with Moroccan authorities and the EU Delegation to Morocco, supports structural investment in key sectors to strengthen the country’s economic, social, and climate resilience. The financing… [Read More]

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, alongside 123 partners, has launched an urgent appeal for $1.6 billion to provide life-saving assistance and improved support to 5.9 million people affected by the Sudan conflict across seven neighbouring countries by the end of 2026. The 2026 Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP) will focus on aiding an estimated… [Read More]

The small Pacific island nation of Palau is strengthening its resilience against climate change-driven extreme weather through the establishment of a network of emergency shelters, supported by the United Nations. These shelters are part of a broader effort to help communities adapt to rising sea levels, stronger typhoons, storm surges, and flooding, which increasingly threaten… [Read More]

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda met with Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat in Port Vila on 18 February 2026 to celebrate the long-standing development partnership between ADB and Vanuatu and to advance the country’s agenda to scale up private sector investment. President Kanda highlighted ADB’s support for Vanuatu’s economic resilience, which is underpinned… [Read More]

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan have announced a long-term commitment to transform rail infrastructure across Wales, marking what they describe as a generational investment following years of underfunding. The joint plan between the UK and Welsh Governments is expected to support around 12,000 jobs and forms part of… [Read More]

Nearly 1.5 million households across England and Wales have received a £25 Cold Weather Payment since December, providing essential support to help vulnerable people meet heating and energy costs during periods of freezing temperatures. More than £35 million has been distributed so far this winter, offering timely assistance to low-income pensioners, families with young children… [Read More]

The 2026 Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP), led by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, seeks $1.6 billion to deliver lifesaving assistance to 5.9 million people affected by the Sudan crisis across seven neighbouring countries: Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan and Uganda. The plan prioritises support for an estimated… [Read More]

Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, alongside Ministers of State Seán Canney and Jerry Buttimer, has announced that the Department of Transport will allocate over €1.5 billion in Exchequer funding for national, regional and local roads in 2026. The package represents a 13% increase compared to 2025, signalling a strong commitment to upgrading infrastructure, enhancing… [Read More]

A new public health study introducing dry blood spot (DBS) and oral fluid (OF) sampling for suspected measles and rubella cases was launched in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 9 February 2026. The initiative was inaugurated by Japan’s Ambassador to Bulgaria, H.E. Mr Chikahisa Sumi; Kristina Mauer-Stender, Special Representative of the WHO Regional Director in Bulgaria; and… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is strengthening agribusiness value chains in West Africa through a €70 million loan to Valency International. The financing will support the procurement of key agro-commodities, including cashew, soya beans, cocoa and sesame, in Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria for processing and export. The investment is designed to meet the… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is strengthening agribusiness value chains in sub-Saharan Africa through a loan of up to US$ 70 million (€60 million equivalent) to Robust International. The financing will support the procurement of agro-commodities and reinforce agricultural trade operations in Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria, marking the Bank’s first food and agribusiness… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has launched a public consultation on its proposed Economic Governance Strategy for 2026–2030, marking the first time the Bank is introducing a dedicated strategy in this area. The consultation period runs from 12 February to 28 March 2026, during which stakeholders are invited to submit comments and feedback… [Read More]

The Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. has announced $586,361 in grant funding for 2026 to support nine nonprofit organizations delivering essential programs in food security, education and STEM, and workforce development across the communities served by Mazda. The funding underscores the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to building high-impact partnerships that expand opportunity and strengthen community resilience. According… [Read More]

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has partnered with the Estonian Ministry of Climate to address the growing rental housing gap and stimulate investment beyond the country’s main urban centers. Currently, only about two percent of new dwellings in Estonia are built outside Harju, Tartu, and Pärnu counties, even though roughly one-third of the population lives… [Read More]

Queensland is set to restore its southern beaches following the damage caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, thanks to a $57 million disaster recovery package. The funding, part of the 2025 Tropical Cyclone Alfred Environmental Recovery Package: Coastline Rehabilitation Program, will support eight councils in rebuilding popular coastal areas from Bundaberg to the Gold Coast. The… [Read More]

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) operates in six official languages, allowing it to disseminate technical knowledge and guidance to a wide range of audiences worldwide. This multilingual approach supports capacity development, facilitates effective communication, and strengthens partnerships among stakeholders across different regions. In Europe and Central Asia, Russian remains a… [Read More]

Civil society organisations around the world are calling for competitive elections to the United Nations Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations (Committee on NGOs), emphasizing the importance of inclusive and transparent processes. For NGOs to engage meaningfully with the UN, they must first obtain ECOSOC consultative status, a process managed by the Committee, which acts as a… [Read More]

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $1.2 million investment for historical societies across New York State, aimed at preserving culturally significant sites and expanding community engagement. Of this amount, $1 million is allocated to the Weeksville Heritage Center in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, to support ongoing preservation efforts, literacy programs, staff, and educational tours, as well as… [Read More]

Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have announced that New York State will provide an additional $1.5 billion over two years to help address the city’s fiscal challenges. This includes $1 billion in operating support for City Fiscal Year 2026 and $510 million in City Fiscal Year 2027, with $510 million… [Read More]