The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) has joined the Ocean Action 2030 Coalition, marking a significant step in mobilizing finance for a resilient blue economy. The announcement was made at COP30, where global leaders emphasized the urgency of scaling ocean-positive investments. UNCDF’s participation reflects its recognition as a trusted partner capable of unlocking investment… [Read More]
Karnataka Unveils Major Investments and New Skilling Partnerships Worth ₹2,600 Crore
Karnataka announced six new letters of intent (LoIs) and a series of skilling partnerships at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 on November 19. The projects include units in electronics manufacturing, EV systems, battery recycling, biotechnology, and a dedicated drone testing site. The government stated that these initiatives are expected to generate jobs across key sectors… [Read More]
Women’s Network News Roundup: Advancing Gender-Responsive Budgeting in the Philippines and Key Updates
Recent weeks have seen significant developments in gender equality and women-focused initiatives worldwide. In the Philippines, Amenah Pangandaman, Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, highlighted the importance of gender-responsive budgeting as a driver of inclusive and sustainable development. At the Philippine Conference on Women, Peace and Security, she emphasized that national budgets must… [Read More]
Hungary: Pécs Pride Organiser Géza Buzás-Hábel Faces Risk of Prosecution
Géza Buzás-Hábel, the organiser of the 2025 Pécs Pride, is currently under criminal investigation for coordinating a peaceful LGBTI+ rights march held on 4 October, despite a ban imposed under Hungary’s anti-Pride law. If charged, he could face up to one year in prison. Amnesty International has urged the Prosecutor’s Office to immediately halt the… [Read More]
Bangladesh: 2024 Massacre Victims Denied Justice by Sheikh Hasina Death Sentence
Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in absentia for alleged crimes against humanity linked to student-led protests in July and August 2024. Amnesty International condemned the decision, stating that those responsible for human rights violations during the protests must be investigated… [Read More]
Saudi Arabia: Migrant Workers Behind Riyadh Metro Face a Decade of Systemic Abuse
Migrant workers who traveled to Saudi Arabia to work on the Riyadh Metro project faced a decade of severe exploitation, Amnesty International reported. Workers were forced to pay exorbitant recruitment fees, endure dangerous heat, and accept extremely low wages while performing arduous tasks on one of Saudi Arabia’s flagship infrastructure projects. Despite the project being… [Read More]
Meet the HRE Network Advisory Group Driving Human Rights Education Forward
The Human Rights Education (HRE) Network Advisory Group (NAG) has been established to strengthen Amnesty International’s global HRE network and reinforce human rights education as a core capacity within the movement. This new collective brings together practitioners with diverse experiences, local knowledge, and innovative approaches, aiming to offer ideas, insights, and practical suggestions that reflect… [Read More]
Digital Suppression: How Kenyan Authorities Targeted Gen Z Protests Online
Amnesty International has documented a systematic campaign by Kenyan authorities to suppress Generation Z-led protests between June 2024 and July 2025, using technology-facilitated violence. The protests, largely organized online, opposed corruption, new tax legislation, and femicide, with demonstrations taking place across 44 of Kenya’s 47 counties. The report, titled “This fear, everyone is feeling it”:… [Read More]
2025 Garden Futures Grants Announced by The Garden Conservancy
The Garden Conservancy has announced the recipients of its 2025 Garden Futures Grants, awarding $145,000 to 27 small public gardens and nonprofit organizations across the United States. The grants aim to support innovative and diverse gardening practices while recognizing organizations that foster meaningful community impact through garden-based programs or advance the preservation and study of… [Read More]
The Complete Guide to POP Foundations: Why They Matter and How They Work
The Power of Pop Fund is a philanthropic initiative that supports creativity capable of driving social and environmental change. Launched with the belief that pop culture has the power to shift public understanding and inspire meaningful action, the fund focuses on projects that amplify the voices of racialised and migrant communities in the UK. By… [Read More]
Rwanda’s RADIANT YACU Wins Prestigious European Microfinance Award 2025
RADIANT YACU, Rwanda’s first and only dedicated microinsurance company, has been awarded the €100,000 European Microfinance Award 2025 (EMA2025) in recognition of its pioneering work in inclusive insurance. The award, presented at the European Investment Bank (EIB), acknowledges RADIANT YACU’s innovative efforts to provide health insurance to underserved rural communities, helping them manage risks and… [Read More]
Greener Albania: EU Promotes Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Initiative
The Delegation of the European Union to Albania has launched a new communication campaign, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle for a Greener Albania,” to raise awareness among the business community about Albania’s transition towards a circular economy and to encourage sustainable business practices. The launch event, held at Europe House Tirana, brought together representatives from the Albanian… [Read More]
EU Increases European Solidarity Corps Budget to €175.3 Million for 2026
The European Commission has launched the 2026 call for the European Solidarity Corps, marking a double milestone: 30 years of EU volunteering and 10 years since the establishment of the Corps. With an increased budget of €175.3 million, the programme aims to continue empowering thousands of young people to engage in solidarity actions across Europe… [Read More]
EU4CSOs Ukraine: €17 Million Call for Proposals Now Open
The European Union (EU) has announced the 2025 Call for Proposals under the EU4CSOs in Ukraine programme, supported through the Ukraine Facility. This initiative provides a total budget of €17 million to support civil society organisations (CSOs) across Ukraine in implementing projects that strengthen societal resilience and promote democratic values. The call invites proposals under… [Read More]
How Antimicrobial Resistance is Undermining a Century of Global Health Progress
Almost a century ago, the discovery of antimicrobials revolutionized medicine, transforming once-fatal infections such as pneumonia, sepsis, and tuberculosis into treatable conditions and making surgeries safer. These breakthroughs have saved millions of lives. However, misuse and overuse of antimicrobials have led to the rapid emergence of drug-resistant bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Today, one in… [Read More]
One Health AMR Conference Comes to Zimbabwe During Global Antimicrobial Awareness Week
Harare will host the One Health AMR Conference 2025 from 19–20 November, coinciding with World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. The flagship event will convene over 150 in-person participants alongside a wider virtual audience, bringing together national, regional, and international experts to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global public health and development challenge. AMR undermines the… [Read More]
Spotlight on COPD: Engaging Media Workshops to Educate and Inform
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide, claiming over 3.5 million lives each year. Despite its significant impact, COPD remains relatively unknown, underprioritized, and underfunded. The condition causes symptoms such as cough, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and fatigue, which profoundly affect the quality of life of those living with it…. [Read More]
Multi-Million Pound Funding Boosts UK Research and Innovation
The UK government has announced significant new funding to support pioneering life sciences projects, aiming to transform healthcare, enhance economic growth, and strengthen national renewal. This investment will back bold initiatives ranging from the use of robots in medicine production to turning spent nuclear fuel into innovative cancer therapies. It forms a key part of… [Read More]
New Measures Protect Children in Care from Entering the Justice System
The UK government has announced a review of the National Protocol to prevent the criminalisation of children in care, aiming to ensure vulnerable young people receive support rather than face unnecessary criminal sanctions. Care leavers are disproportionately affected, being four times more likely to receive a conviction and ten times more likely to end up… [Read More]
New Strategy to Enhance Energy Infrastructure Resilience and Reliability
The UK government has announced plans to introduce its first comprehensive Energy Resilience Strategy following the North Hyde substation fire in March, which caused widespread disruption at Heathrow Airport. The incident prompted immediate action, including commissioning the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to investigate the fire and assess Britain’s energy resilience. NESO’s investigation, concluded in… [Read More]
Ireland Commits Over €50 Million to Boost 10 Shared Island Programmes
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris have announced over €50 million in funding from the Shared Island Fund for 10 new programmes to be implemented between 2026 and 2030, aimed at strengthening connections and cooperation across the island of Ireland. The investment spans media, emergency management, cultural engagement, creative arts, transport, environmental initiatives, agriculture,… [Read More]
Nigeria School Massacre: UNICEF Demands Immediate Measures to Safeguard Children
UNICEF condemned the recent attack on a school in Nigeria, emphasizing that no child should face danger while pursuing an education and that classrooms must remain safe spaces. Reports indicate that one of the abducted schoolgirls managed to escape and is now safe, while another student who was not taken also fled during the incident…. [Read More]
Global Urbanization Surge: Cities Host Almost 50% of the World’s Population
In 1950, the global population was 2.5 billion, with only 20 per cent living in cities. By 2050, two-thirds of population growth is expected to occur in urban areas, while rural populations decline, except in sub-Saharan Africa. Metropolitan regions known as “megacities,” with over 10 million inhabitants, are projected to expand further, reflecting the accelerating… [Read More]
