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The UK government has unveiled a new National Cancer Plan aimed at ending the postcode lottery in cancer care, ensuring that patients in rural, coastal, and deprived communities have the same access to specialists, technology, and treatments as those in major cities. People living in areas with fewer cancer consultants often face long waits for… [Read More]

Recent developments across multiple regions highlight escalating humanitarian crises. In Ukraine, attacks have intensified in several areas, including the Odesa region, where a 17-year-old boy was killed, prompting UNICEF to call for an end to strikes on civilian zones and essential infrastructure. The southeastern city of Kryvyi Rih faced renewed attacks, disrupting communities already affected… [Read More]

The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, has reaffirmed its commitment to continue investigating alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in pursuit of justice and accountability. Srinivasan Muralidhar, Chair of the Commission, emphasized that the body operates under a mandate approved by the… [Read More]

The United Nations has issued a strong call for far-reaching financial reform, warning that current global investment patterns are driving environmental destruction rather than sustainability. According to the State of Finance for Nature 2026 report, for every dollar invested in protecting nature, around 30 dollars are spent on activities that harm it. The report argues… [Read More]

One year into Syria’s post-Assad transition, nearly three million refugees and internally displaced people have returned home, signaling cautious progress after more than a decade of conflict. However, United Nations officials warn that the country remains extremely fragile, with persistent threats from ISIL, unresolved sectarian and ethnic tensions, the presence of foreign fighters, and unsecured… [Read More]

The United Nations has warned of a sharp global rise in internet shutdowns, with UNESCO reporting that governments are increasingly cutting online access during protests, elections, and periods of crisis. The agency emphasized that such measures persist despite the central role of internet connectivity in democratic participation and the exercise of fundamental rights. According to… [Read More]

Mauritius and Seychelles, as Small Island Developing States, face distinct yet interconnected challenges in transitioning to renewable energy and advancing circular economy models. Mauritius must address limited land and natural resources, heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels, fragmented policies, capacity gaps, and the need for large-scale infrastructure investment to meet its clean energy ambitions. Seychelles,… [Read More]

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is intensifying its emergency response in Mozambique as severe flooding continues to displace large numbers of people across the country. The organization is expanding life-saving assistance while strengthening nationwide displacement tracking, coordination, and protection efforts in collaboration with the government and humanitarian partners. Weeks of heavy rainfall have triggered… [Read More]

Lebanon’s economy recorded positive growth in 2025, marking the beginning of a modest recovery after years of severe economic contraction. According to the latest World Bank Lebanon Economic Monitor, real GDP expanded by 3.5 percent in 2025, reflecting early signs of macroeconomic stabilization, a rebound in tourism, and the impact of reform progress, albeit uneven…. [Read More]

The World Bank Group’s Boards of Executive Directors have approved a major financing package to expand Bhutan’s hydropower generation, support regional clean energy trade, stimulate economic growth, and create jobs. The initiative underscores Bhutan’s strategic role in advancing sustainable energy development while strengthening economic opportunities through low-carbon power exports. At the center of the package… [Read More]

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved the Regional Electricity Market Interconnectivity and Trade (REMIT) Program, a 10-year initiative designed to enhance energy connectivity across Central Asia. The program will establish the region’s first-ever regional electricity market, expand electricity trade, increase transmission capacity, and create a foundation for integrating large-scale renewable energy. In… [Read More]

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that over one million people in northeast Nigeria could lose access to emergency food and nutrition assistance within weeks unless urgent new funding is secured. For the first time in the country, WFP’s aid will be limited to only 72,000 people, highlighting the severity of the… [Read More]

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Board of Directors approved a $16.5 million loan in November to support the development of the 35 MW OrPower Twenty-Two (OTTL) Geothermal Power Plant, a key renewable energy project in Kenya. The plant aims to increase the country’s baseload generation capacity and accelerate its transition to clean energy. The OTTL… [Read More]

Well-designed employment policies play a decisive role in turning the idea of decent work into a lived reality for millions of people, according to Dorothea Schmidt, Chief of the International Labour Organization’s Employment Policy, Labour Market and Youth (EMPLAB) branch. She emphasises that employment policies are not abstract government documents, but powerful tools that shape… [Read More]

Indonesia deserves recognition for making education a constitutional priority. This commitment reflects an understanding that education is not simply one sector of development, but the foundation of human development, democracy, and citizenship. Yet despite strong state attention, a critical question remains unanswered: how far has education budget policy truly addressed the persistent challenges of quality… [Read More]

When J-PAL co-founder Esther Duflo spoke with the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) last fall, she delivered a message that strongly resonated with both organizations: evidence is not about confirming what we already believe, but about discovering what truly makes a difference. She also highlighted the long-term ambition behind evidence-based entrepreneurship support—to help small… [Read More]

Viet Nam is among the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, typhoons, floods, and landslides posing serious risks to its long coastline, low-lying deltas—particularly the Mekong Delta—and mountainous regions. These climate hazards are already exacting a heavy toll. In 2025 alone, the country recorded 415 deaths… [Read More]

Projects that use the market systems development (MSD) approach often argue that their most successful interventions create lasting impact for target communities long after donor funding ends. In practice, however, these claims are rarely tested. Ex-post evaluations are uncommon, leaving a significant gap in understanding what truly remains once projects exit. To address this gap,… [Read More]

The African Development Bank has approved a $150 million senior loan to support the development of the Coral North Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) Project, a major offshore energy initiative in Mozambique. The decision, approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors on 14 January, marks a significant step forward in strengthening the country’s energy infrastructure… [Read More]

The killing of unarmed Minnesota woman Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis this January has sparked nationwide alarm and protests, intensifying concerns about the growing risk of political and state violence in the United States. The incident came amid a year marked by high-profile political assassinations, increasing death threats against elected officials… [Read More]

Cultural conflicts became far more visible during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing deep differences in how societies respond to crisis. As lockdowns spread across the world, arguments erupted online over whether stay-at-home orders were excessive. In some places, protesters gathered at government buildings to demand freedom of movement, while inside homes, parents and… [Read More]

The European Commission has announced its initial €1.9 billion humanitarian aid budget for 2026, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to life-saving assistance at a time when 239 million people worldwide need help and major donors are reducing their funding. Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib presented the funding commitment in Davos, highlighting efforts… [Read More]

Children and young people across Scotland are set to benefit from over £2 million (£2,081,593) in funding announced by The National Lottery Community Fund on 21 January 2026. The funding will support 22 organisations through the Young Start programme, which distributes money from dormant bank accounts to initiatives that empower young people and help them… [Read More]