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The African Development Bank (AfDB) has opened its 2026 Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, with a strong focus on addressing Africa’s widening $400 billion development financing shortfall amid global economic fragmentation. More than 3,000 delegates from the Bank’s 81 member countries are expected to attend the sessions from May 25 to 29, marking the 61st AfDB Annual… [Read More]

A newly identified Ebola variant has been declared in the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), raising urgent concerns about the safety of vulnerable populations, particularly children, amid an already fragile humanitarian situation. Health authorities have reported outbreaks in the health zones of Bunia, Mongwalu, and Rwampara, with initial figures indicating… [Read More]

The UK Government has announced a £30 million investment to restore and create wildlife-rich habitats across England’s most valued natural landscapes, marking a major step toward its goal of protecting 30% of land for nature by 2030. The funding, introduced under the new Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund, will support large-scale nature restoration projects across National Parks,… [Read More]

India’s startup ecosystem is experiencing a significant shift as women-led startups secured record venture capital funding in the first half of 2026. The surge highlights growing investor confidence in female founders across sectors such as fintech, health-tech, sustainability, and e-commerce, marking one of the strongest periods of growth for women entrepreneurs in the country. Industry… [Read More]

Space simulation epic Star Citizen has officially surpassed $1 billion in total funding, marking one of the most extraordinary milestones in gaming history. The achievement coincides with the release of a new $5,000 virtual spaceship, the Anvil Odin, which players cannot yet fly in‑game. Developer Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) confirmed the record via its public funding tracker, which showed… [Read More]

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called for urgent global action to contain Ebola outbreaks and strengthen pandemic preparedness systems, warning that the world remains vulnerable to rapidly spreading infectious diseases. His remarks came at the conclusion of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, where health leaders… [Read More]

New Zealand’s Government has announced a major Budget 2026 initiative designed to help businesses transition away from natural gas while protecting jobs and easing pressure on the country’s declining gas supply. The Gas Transition Loan Guarantee Scheme will enable up to $1.2 billion in bank lending for eligible businesses looking to reduce or eliminate their… [Read More]

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) have launched a new initiative called the Compliance Edge Lab 2026–27, aimed at strengthening responsible business practices across Viet Nam’s rapidly growing electronics sector. The programme was officially announced in Ha Noi on 22 May 2026 and is designed to… [Read More]

U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis is applauding the preliminary approval of a sweeping congressional bill that would allocate about $580 billion for transportation projects nationwide. The measure, known as the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development (BUILD) for America’s 250th Act, cleared the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and now heads to the floor for full… [Read More]

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has launched a new initiative in Moldova aimed at strengthening psychological intervention services for survivors of domestic violence. The effort focuses on improving the quality, coordination, and professionalism of mental health support available to victims through a structured national framework. A key component of the initiative is the launch… [Read More]

The New Zealand Government has announced a new set of Budget 2026 initiatives aimed at supporting gas-using businesses as the country transitions toward a more efficient and sustainable energy system. The measures are designed to help firms adapt to changes in the domestic gas market while improving energy efficiency and encouraging fuel switching. A key… [Read More]

Australia’s digital health commercialisation engine ANDHealth has awarded $9 million in funding to five startups, even as new data reveals a widening capital gap threatening the nation’s fast‑growing $45 billion digital health industry. According to the organisation’s FY2026 Industry Sentiment Survey, 92% of digital and connected health SMEs plan to raise growth capital in the… [Read More]

A high-level thematic knowledge event titled “Strengthening and Consolidating Africa’s Financial Systems and Agency in the Changing World” will take place on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 at the Kintélé International Conference Center in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, as part of the African Development Bank Group’s 2026 Annual Meetings. The 45-minute session, scheduled from 17:15 to… [Read More]

A high-level panel discussion titled “Leveraging Capital, Strengthening Agency: African Ownership and the Future of Development Finance” is set to take place on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, during the African Development Bank Group’s 2026 Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. The event is being co-organized by the African Development Bank Group and the African… [Read More]

The week of May 18–24, 2026 highlighted a surge of activity across India’s automotive sector, with companies pursuing partnerships, securing funding, and expanding capacity to prepare for the next growth cycle. Honda Cars India signaled its intent to forge new partnerships in the country, aiming for scale, cost competitiveness, and stronger product offerings in a… [Read More]

Synthetic biology startup StrainX Bioworks has secured $13 million in fresh funding from Prime Venture Partners and Leo Capital, marking a major milestone in its mission to revolutionize precision fermentation and bio‑manufacturing. The Bengaluru‑based company plans to use the capital to scale manufacturing, expand research and development, and accelerate global commercialization of its sustainable biological… [Read More]

Lebanon has officially launched its first public intercity electric bus service linking Jbeil and Beirut, marking a major step toward more sustainable and modern public transport. The initiative comes at a time when the country continues to face rising fuel prices, economic pressures, and increasing demand for reliable and affordable mobility solutions. The project is… [Read More]

Home salon services platform Yes Madam has secured its maiden funding of ₹50 crore in a Series A round led by Info Edge, valuing the company at ₹750 crore. The investment marks a major milestone for the Noida-based startup, which connects customers with trained beauty and wellness professionals for at-home services. According to filings with… [Read More]

The New Zealand Government has announced an additional $79 million in funding to intensify the battle against wilding pines across the country, with Mid Dome in Northern Southland among the key areas set to benefit. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard confirmed the funding extension on Sunday, marking a significant step forward in tackling one of New… [Read More]

Travel-fintech startup Scapia has raised $63 million in a funding round led by General Catalyst, with participation from existing investors Peak XV Partners and Z47. The latest investment comes roughly a year after the company’s previous $40 million Series B round. Founded by Anil Goteti, Scapia operates at the intersection of travel and financial services,… [Read More]

Foundation has raised $6.4 million in a funding round led by Fulgur Ventures, with participation from Arche Capital, to accelerate its expansion beyond bitcoin self-custody hardware into AI agent authorization and broader digital identity security systems. The company, Foundation, said the new capital will support its move from building hardware wallets for bitcoin storage toward… [Read More]

Developed nations have successfully exceeded their annual $100 billion climate finance commitment for the third consecutive year. According to the latest data released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), wealthy countries mobilized and provided a record $132.8 billion in climate finance to developing nations in 2023, a figure that climbed even higher… [Read More]

The Government of Canada has announced a $24 million investment to appoint and renew 42 Canada CIFAR AI Chairs, reinforcing its long-term strategy to strengthen artificial intelligence research and talent development across the country. The funding expands the Canada CIFAR AI Chairs programme to a total of 143 positions, distributed across Canada’s three national AI… [Read More]