Norma Foley has announced the opening of applications for organisations seeking to deliver the expanded Traveller and Roma Local Employment Initiative, a national programme aimed at reducing long-standing unemployment among Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland. The initiative, originally established in 2006 as the Special Initiative for Travellers, was created to address high levels of… [Read More]

Martin Heydon has announced €1.18 million in funding for 46 farm safety, health, and wellbeing projects across Ireland, as part of ongoing efforts to improve safety standards and support farmer welfare. The funding, delivered through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Open Call for Farm Safety, Health and Wellbeing Projects, was awarded following… [Read More]

Jennifer Murnane O’Connor has welcomed a significant rise in the number of people accessing drug treatment services across Ireland, following increased government investment in healthcare capacity and addiction support programs. New figures released by the Health Research Board through the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) show that 15,422 cases presented for treatment for problem… [Read More]

The Irish government has officially opened applications for the €120 million Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS), aimed at providing financial assistance to haulage and passenger transport operators across the country. The scheme was announced by Darragh O’Brien alongside Seán Canney and Jerry Buttimer on 20 May 2026. Administered by the Department of Transport, the initiative… [Read More]

The UK Government has confirmed an investment of more than £1 billion over the next three years to support PE and school sport. The funding package includes allocations for the PE Premium, capital investment in facilities, transitional support for primary schools, and the creation of a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, which will… [Read More]

The Tennessee Department of Health has launched the first funding opportunity under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), marking the beginning of a series of competitive grants aimed at strengthening rural health systems across the state. Governor Bill Lee emphasized that the program is designed to ensure all residents, regardless of location, have access to… [Read More]

A major new funding opportunity has launched for agricultural researchers looking to improve animal health and tackle antibiotic resistance. The International Consortium for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Agriculture (ICASA) officially opened its 2026 Request for Applications (RFA). Created by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), the consortium is seeking innovative research proposals that deliver… [Read More]

WisdomTree has announced the launch of the WisdomTree Physical AI, Humanoids, and Drones Fund (WDRN), which will trade on the Cboe BZX Exchange. The fund arrives at a crucial time for artificial intelligence, as the technology expands beyond digital applications into physical AI, enabling machines to perceive, decide, and autonomously act in the real world…. [Read More]

The article emphasizes that human well-being is deeply connected to the health of ecosystems and biodiversity. Natural systems such as forests, pollinators, wetlands, and green urban spaces play essential roles in supporting food production, regulating water systems, reducing flood risks, and maintaining environmental balance. Recognizing the growing threats to biodiversity, governments around the world have… [Read More]

Slovenia is hosting the third International Forum for Action on Sustainable Beekeeping and Pollination on World Bee Day, bringing together international organizations, government agencies, researchers, and beekeeping associations. Organized with FAO and Apimondia, the event highlights the crucial role of bees and other pollinators in food security, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience. Participants emphasized that sustainable… [Read More]

Uzbekistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations are scaling up efforts to strengthen the sweet cherry value chain through a new FAO-China South-South Cooperation project under the One Country One Priority Product initiative. A regional workshop held in Namangan from 18 to 20 May 2026 brought together government officials, farmers, private… [Read More]

The article highlights how Pacific Island Countries are increasingly recognizing coral reefs and coastal ecosystems as some of the most important forms of climate infrastructure. Rather than viewing nature conservation as separate from climate action, Pacific communities see healthy oceans and reefs as essential for protecting coastlines, supporting fisheries, sustaining livelihoods, and ensuring long-term survival… [Read More]

The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Uttarakhand Space Application Centre to strengthen collaboration in space science and geospatial applications. The agreement, formalized at the IIT Roorkee campus, reflects a shared commitment to advancing research and innovation relevant to the state of Uttarakhand. Senior representatives from both institutions… [Read More]

Bank Indonesia and Bank Negara Malaysia have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation across key areas of central banking. Announced in Jakarta on 11 May 2026, the agreement expands collaboration in monetary policy, financial stability, macroprudential oversight, payment systems, and financial sector development. It also establishes a framework for structured information exchange… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has officially launched its InvestEU Portfolio Risk Sharing Facility in Romania, marking an important step in expanding sustainable investment and green financing across the country. Through the programme, the EBRD expects to mobilize more than €270 million in new green financing through local banks, supporting Romania’s climate… [Read More]

At the 79th World Health Assembly, Russia faced sharp condemnation from member states over its ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s health system. Despite attempts by Russia’s delegate to interrupt debate and dismiss discussion, countries highlighted the devastating toll of the war. The WHO Director-General’s report estimated 55,600 civilian casualties, including nearly 15,000 deaths, with violence intensifying… [Read More]

Indonesia has faced rising syphilis cases without national guidance for diagnosis and treatment, leaving medical specialties without standardized protocols. At the same time, the country’s hepatitis national action plan had fallen out of alignment with the five-year national development planning cycle (RPJMN), limiting its effectiveness. To address these gaps, the World Health Organization supported the… [Read More]

Informal waste pickers in Pakistan play a vital role in managing and recycling the country’s growing solid waste, yet they continue to face insecure working conditions, low incomes, and limited legal recognition. Pakistan produces more than 50 million tonnes of solid waste annually, and waste pickers handle a significant share by collecting, sorting, and recovering… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing up to €70 million in financing to Slovenian energy storage company NGEN Energetske Rešitve to strengthen grid stability and energy security across central Europe. The investment will support the construction and operation of five large-scale battery energy storage systems in Latvia, Poland, Romania, and Slovenia…. [Read More]

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched a new global database on National Social Dialogue Institutions (NSDIs) to mark the 50th anniversary of the Tripartite Consultation Convention (No. 144). This initiative is designed to strengthen evidence-based social dialogue policies and institutions by providing governments, employers, workers’ organizations, and researchers with comparative data and insights. The… [Read More]

Action Against Hunger has issued a stark warning about worsening food insecurity in Somalia, with the latest IPC analysis indicating a credible risk of famine in Burhakaba District, Bay Region. The organization reports a surge in admissions of severely malnourished children to its stabilization centers and is calling for an urgent scale-up of humanitarian assistance… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a financing package of up to €25 million for BNP Paribas Finansal Kiralama, one of Türkiye’s leading privately owned leasing companies. The funding is intended to support businesses across the country in adopting sustainable and climate-friendly investments, helping improve resilience and accelerate the transition toward… [Read More]

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has successfully priced a $4 billion five-year global bond, with proceeds to be added to its ordinary capital resources. This marks ADB’s second fixed-rate global benchmark of the year and reflects strong investor confidence, as the issue was oversubscribed four times. ADB Treasurer Tobias Hoschka noted that the robust demand… [Read More]