A new United Nations report has revealed that sexual violence during Sri Lanka’s civil war was widespread, systematic, and often carried out by state security forces, potentially amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity, Human Rights Watch stated. Issued on 13 January 2025, the report underscores that both women and men were victims, with… [Read More]

Ahead of the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, scheduled to open on 19 January, Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard has issued a sharp warning that the “spirit of dialogue” — the official theme of this year’s Forum — has been largely absent from global affairs amid rising unilateralism and abuses of power…. [Read More]

Amnesty International has documented unprecedented mass killings of protesters across Iran amid an ongoing internet shutdown, highlighting a systematic and escalating pattern of lethal repression. Since 8 January 2026, security forces have used firearms, shotguns, and prohibited weapons against largely peaceful demonstrators, resulting in a rapidly rising death toll officially reaching 2,000. The internet blackout,… [Read More]

In Myanmar’s rural Sagaing region, civilians are paying the price as internet disruptions worsen the dangers of ongoing conflict. Last November, Bee Kyal, a local resistance fighter, sent a warning to villagers about a Russian-made Yak-130 fighter jet taking off from a military base. Using a walkie-talkie connected to village speakers—since internet access was unavailable—he… [Read More]

Amnesty International has called on Ugandan authorities to immediately lift internet and mobile phone restrictions imposed ahead of tomorrow’s general election. The Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) ordered an indefinite suspension of internet services, along with restrictions on mobile networks, citing the need to prevent misinformation, electoral fraud, and protect national security. Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s… [Read More]

The European Commission has presented a comprehensive financial support package to ensure continuous backing for Ukraine throughout 2026 and 2027, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to the country’s defence against Russia’s war of aggression. The package includes a new proposal for a €90 billion support loan to Ukraine, an amendment to the Ukraine Facility to implement… [Read More]

From over a thousand applications across roughly 100 countries, L’Oréal has chosen 13 pioneering organisations to join its sustainable innovation initiative, L’Accelerator, backed by €5 million over five years. These “agents of change” reflect L’Oréal’s commitment to circularity, low-carbon solutions, and bio-based ingredients in cosmetics. Among the selected companies, six focus on packaging and materials…. [Read More]

As Queensland grapples with ongoing flooding across the north, west, and central interior, the state has extended joint Commonwealth–state support through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to 13 additional councils. Aurukun, Burdekin, Central Highlands, Diamantina, Isaac, Livingstone, Mackay, Mareeba, Mornington, Northern Peninsula, Pormpuraaw, Rockhampton, and Whitsunday can now access funding to cover the costs… [Read More]

The Nordic Council and the Nordic Youth Council have formalized a new co-operation agreement aimed at strengthening the influence of young people in Nordic political co-operation. Signed in Reykjavik in December 2025, the agreement comes shortly after the Nordic Youth Council became an independent legal organisation on 1 January 2025, with offices in Helsinki. “This… [Read More]

Regional New Zealand is set to welcome more international visitors in 2026 following a $3.69 million investment through the Government’s Regional Tourism Boost. The latest funding round supports five new campaigns designed to attract travelers during the quieter autumn and early winter months, encouraging exploration beyond traditional hotspots while promoting unique regional experiences and limited-time… [Read More]

The European Investment Bank (EIB), through its development arm EIB Global, has invested $37.5 million in Alta Semper Fund II to support the growth of pharmaceutical and healthcare companies across Africa, with a focus on North Africa and a portion in sub-Saharan Africa. The fund is expected to mobilize up to $150 million for investments,… [Read More]

The European Investment Bank (EIB), through its development arm EIB Global, has committed $80 million to the RMBV North Africa Fund III to accelerate private sector development and sustainable growth in Egypt, forming part of a broader regional strategy across North Africa. The signing took place in Cairo with the participation of Egypt’s Minister of… [Read More]

The EIB Group, comprising the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), has partnered with BNL BNP Paribas to mobilise €335 million in support of Italy’s real economy, targeting the investments and working capital needs of around 300 Italian companies. The announcement was made by EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti and BNL CEO… [Read More]

As Ukraine enters the fifth year of the full-scale invasion, health-care facilities in Chernihiv, Kherson, Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Sumy continue to operate under extreme pressure. To help meet the urgent medical needs, the WHO Country Office in Ukraine, with financial support from the European Union (EU) Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, recently delivered critical… [Read More]

Despite ongoing conflict, humanitarian crises, and funding pressures, WHO’s polio programme in the Eastern Mediterranean Region made significant strides in 2025, advancing multiple fronts toward eradication. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, efforts to interrupt wild poliovirus transmission intensified, guided by Technical Advisory Groups and strengthened national and regional oversight. Both countries focused on critical transmission zones,… [Read More]

The World Health Organization (WHO), with financial support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has strengthened Pakistan’s immunization efforts by handing over 20 four-wheel-drive vehicles to the country’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). The vehicles will be deployed in 20 priority districts where large numbers of “zero-dose” children—those who have never received a single vaccine—live in… [Read More]

Drug use disorders are emerging as one of the most serious and rapidly growing public health challenges in the Americas, according to a new study published in the Pan American Journal of Public Health. The findings show that drug use is now among the top 10 risk factors contributing to death and disability across the… [Read More]

The Government of Canada has launched a new call for proposals to support innovation in Indigenous early learning and child care, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children have access to high-quality, culturally grounded programs that reflect their languages, traditions, and values. Indigenous-led early learning and child care is seen… [Read More]

Lebanon has unveiled its National Digital Health Transformation Strategy for 2025–2030, setting out an ambitious roadmap to modernize the country’s healthcare system through technology, innovation, and collaboration. The strategy presents a forward-looking vision that leverages e-health solutions, medical informatics, and artificial intelligence–driven decision-making to improve service delivery, strengthen health outcomes, and ensure more efficient use… [Read More]

The UK Government has announced a major overhaul of the Disability Confident scheme, aimed at improving workplace standards and expanding employment opportunities for sick and disabled people. The reforms are designed to help employers better recruit, retain and support disabled workers, while boosting living standards and workplace inclusion as part of the Government’s wider Plan… [Read More]

The National Conversation on Education was officially launched today by Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley, and Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan, marking the start of a once-in-a-generation public dialogue on the future of Ireland’s education system. Beginning on… [Read More]

Ireland has announced new humanitarian funding for Ukraine, with three leading Irish NGOs each receiving €1 million to support communities affected by the ongoing conflict. Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond confirmed that Concern, the Irish Red Cross and Trócaire will receive the funding through Irish Aid to deliver urgent humanitarian… [Read More]

The world has just marked its eleventh consecutive year of record-breaking global warmth, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned on Wednesday, underscoring the accelerating pace of climate change. After reviewing eight international datasets, WMO confirmed that 2025 ranked among the three warmest years ever recorded, despite the presence of a cooling La Niña phase…. [Read More]