United Nations officials warn that the beginning of 2026 has brought renewed fighting and devastation to Ukraine, with no pause in hostilities and worsening conditions for civilians. As winter temperatures plunge far below freezing, intensified Russian attacks are causing widespread destruction, killing and injuring civilians while cutting millions of people off from electricity, heating, and… [Read More]

Ongoing rainstorms in Gaza are worsening an already catastrophic humanitarian situation, with fragile shelters being damaged or destroyed and large numbers of displaced people left exposed to cold and harsh weather. According to the United Nations, recent storms have battered makeshift tents, leaving thousands without adequate protection and further compounding the vulnerability of families already… [Read More]

Investing in Canada’s energy future is positioned as both a national priority and a major economic opportunity, as global markets transition toward lower-carbon and more diversified energy systems. Strengthening electricity grids is essential to ensuring energy security, affordability, and reliability for Canadians, particularly during periods of peak demand such as winter months, while also supporting… [Read More]

The United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States has opened a new round of grant applications as demand for support continues to exceed available funding, reflecting the growing pressures faced by families living in poverty across the region. During its last fully competitive grant cycle in 2024, the organization awarded approximately $850,000 to 35 local programs,… [Read More]

Bill Gates has transferred $7.9 billion to a nonprofit controlled by Melinda Gates, according to recent tax filings, marking one of the largest single charitable transfers ever recorded. The donation, completed in late 2024, dramatically expands the scale of Melinda Gates’ independent philanthropy and immediately positions her organization among the most highly capitalized private charitable… [Read More]

The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded more than $23 million in funding to strengthen labor law enforcement in Mexico and ensure that trade between the two countries benefits American workers and businesses. Of the total funding, $15.4 million was awarded to Partners of the Americas and $8 million to Creative Associates International. These grants… [Read More]

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $22 million funding initiative aimed at strengthening critical mineral supply chains and reducing reliance on abusive labor practices abroad, particularly in China. The funding, distributed through four cooperative agreements, targets the elimination of labor exploitation in Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where key minerals such… [Read More]

Yemen’s experience demonstrates that the private sector can serve as a stabilizing force in fragile states, providing a critical engine of growth and supporting the population amid conflict and instability. Over the past decade, private sector innovation in Yemen has helped maintain livelihoods and foster hope, even in regions where public institutions struggle or fail…. [Read More]

Educators and students in Palestine navigate classrooms shaped by war, displacement, and chronic uncertainty, carrying complex emotions that can transform into acts of care and resistance. Understanding these emotions in detail is essential to supporting both teaching and learning in such challenging contexts. Since January 2024, researchers have collaborated with the dean and professors at… [Read More]

Ghana, a West African country with a population of approximately 34 million, faces escalating climate-related challenges that threaten its economy, infrastructure, and citizens’ livelihoods. Floods, droughts, wildfires, and pests have increasingly affected both urban and rural areas. With around 40 percent of the economy reliant on agriculture and a large informal sector, extreme weather events… [Read More]

Over the past five years, Saudi Arabia has transformed its rural advisory services (RAS) through digital innovation, participatory learning, and targeted support to agricultural value chains. These efforts have enhanced livelihoods, strengthened resilience, and expanded opportunities for women and youth across rural communities, making RAS a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s sustainable agriculture agenda. Digitalization has… [Read More]

The UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators were officially launched in Barbados during a kick-off workshop held from 19 to 21 November 2025 in Bridgetown. Organized by the Division of Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office, in close collaboration with UNESCO and supported financially by the European Union, the workshop marked the beginning of Barbados’ implementation of the… [Read More]

More than 40 rights groups, charities, and unions in the UK have strongly rejected the government’s proposed amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, describing it as a “dangerous” attempt to expand police powers and restrict the right to protest. In a joint statement titled Defend the Right to Protest Civil Society, 44 UK-based civil… [Read More]

Today, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Mongolia, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications, launched the “The Next Great Divergence” report and convened a high-level dialogue on Mongolia’s readiness for artificial intelligence (AI). The report, published by UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, highlights AI’s potential to… [Read More]

The second National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for Albania builds on the review of the first NAP, incorporates findings from multiple studies and assessments, aligns with existing national documents, and draws on regional and international guidance. Its vision is to achieve “a dynamic, secure, prosperous and sustainable Albania, anchored in Europe,” with the overarching adaptation goal… [Read More]

A two-year FAO initiative in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan has successfully supported smallholder farmers in adopting sustainable, productive, and climate-resilient agricultural practices. The project combined education, innovation, and technical support to address challenges in agricultural production, food security, nutrition, and environmental sustainability. Funded through FAO’s Flexible Voluntary Contribution mechanism, the project strengthened farmers’ capacity to implement… [Read More]

Writchid Snipes, a documentary photographer with the Ghana National Fire Service, won the overall title in the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Ghana “Behind the Plate” Photo Contest 2025. The contest, held as part of World Food Day 2025 and FAO’s 80th anniversary celebrations, invited photographers to capture Ghana’s agri-food systems beyond the meals on… [Read More]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has welcomed Japan’s latest humanitarian contribution of US$240,000, highlighting Japan’s continued commitment to supporting life-saving health efforts in Afghanistan. This funding will enable WHO to respond to urgent health needs while sustaining essential health services for the country’s most vulnerable populations. A significant portion of the support is directed toward… [Read More]

The United Nations has welcomed a generous contribution of US$10.5 million from the Government of Japan to support humanitarian response, recovery, and sustainable development in Ethiopia. This funding, equivalent to approximately ETB 1.62 billion, will be channeled through UN agencies to address urgent needs arising from climate shocks, displacement, and other vulnerabilities, while also strengthening… [Read More]

Uruguay is breaking new ground in clean energy with the launch of the Kahirós green hydrogen project, the country’s first large-scale initiative to produce and use green hydrogen for heavy transport. Launched in December 2025 with over $30 million in investment, the project is financed by Grupo Santander, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the… [Read More]

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has partnered with TelcoCB to improve access to formal banking and financial services for migrants in the Republic of Korea. This agreement, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 9 January 2026, aims to support migrants with limited or no credit history by leveraging digital technologies and alternative… [Read More]

The 2025 Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review, jointly released by IRENA and the ILO, highlights the slow growth of employment in the renewable energy sector despite record-breaking installations. Global jobs in renewables increased by only 2.3% from 2023, reaching 16.6 million in 2024, reflecting the combined effects of geopolitical and geoeconomic frictions as… [Read More]

In Şanlıurfa, Türkiye, a two-day training programme for agricultural labour intermediaries was held on 23–24 December 2025 as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labour in seasonal agriculture. The initiative was organized under two ILO projects: the Integrated Model for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour in… [Read More]