More than US$726 million in funding to combat child labour, modern slavery and workplace repression is set to be eliminated under cuts pushed by the Trump administration, according to Equal Times. Experts warn the move will accelerate worker exploitation, union-busting and forced labour. Kelly Fay Rodriguez, former US Special Representative for International Labour Affairs, said… [Read More]
Global Trade Deal Secures Fish Stocks and Protects Coastal Jobs
The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (FSA), adopted by World Trade Organization (WTO) members, officially came into force on 15 September. This marks a significant milestone in efforts to protect marine resources while strengthening the global rules-based trading system. UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan emphasized that the agreement demonstrates the power of multilateral cooperation, prioritizing sustainability and… [Read More]
Kessner Capital Launches Africa’s First Private Credit Fund to Support SME Financing
Kessner Capital Management has launched its first private credit fund focused on Africa, aiming to provide growth capital to small and mid-sized businesses across the continent. This fund is positioned not just as a lending vehicle but as a long-term partner for businesses, emphasizing governance, transparency, and sustainable impact. The co-founders, Bruno-Maurice Monny and Benny… [Read More]
WIPO Global Innovation Index 2025: Switzerland, Sweden, US, South Korea & Singapore Lead; China Breaks Into Top 10
The World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 ranks Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore as the top innovators worldwide. They are followed by the United Kingdom, Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, and China, which enters the top 10 for the first time. However, the report highlights a slowing… [Read More]
Bezos Earth Fund Invests $37.5M to Boost Pacific-Led Ocean Protection Efforts
The Bezos Earth Fund has announced $37.5 million in grants to support Pacific Island nations and territories in safeguarding over 835,000 square miles (2.16 million km²) of ocean across 12 countries. This funding is part of a broader effort to implement national and regional marine protection plans aligned with the Pacific’s shared vision of sustainably… [Read More]
Scouts Gather in Saudi Arabia for Global Messengers of Peace Youth Leadership Event
Sixty Scouts from across Saudi Arabia and around the world gathered in Riyadh this week for a three-day youth leadership event under the global Messengers of Peace initiative. The event, held from 14 to 16 September, focused on equipping young people with the skills and inspiration to drive positive change in their communities. Through workshops,… [Read More]
Nigeria’s Caring Africa Joins Morgan Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures Program
Caring Africa, a Nigerian nonprofit focused on technology and policy for the care economy, has been selected for the 2025 Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures program. This global innovation lab highlights ventures that are creating systemic social impact, and Caring Africa stands out as the only care tech initiative from Africa in this year’s… [Read More]
UN-Backed Probe Alleges Israel Committed Genocide in Gaza, Citing War Crimes
In a new and highly controversial report, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, has concluded that Israel is responsible for committing acts of genocide in Gaza. The report comes amid intensifying Israeli military operations in Gaza City and urges Israel, along with all other… [Read More]
UK’s Largest Social Science Festival Showcases Research Impact on Everyday Life
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Festival of Social Science returns for its 23rd year, offering the public a unique opportunity to explore how social science research shapes the world around us. Running from 18 October to 8 November, the festival features hundreds of free events across the UK, hosted by 41 universities and… [Read More]
UKRI Awards £120 Million in Future Leaders Fellowships to Top UK Researchers
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced the latest round of its prestigious Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF), awarding £120 million to 77 promising early-career researchers across the UK. These fellowships aim to empower the next generation of research and innovation leaders by providing them with the resources and support to lead cutting-edge projects. Among the… [Read More]
EU Expansion: Which Country Could Join the EU and Eurozone in 2028
Montenegro aims to join the European Union and the euro zone in 2028, according to Prime Minister Milojko Spajic. The small Balkan nation, which has seen its economy nearly double over the past five years, is also considering selling fresh government bonds to institutional or retail investors to support its economic growth. The EU has… [Read More]
Threatened Arts Venue Faces Closure Within Six Months
New Brewery Arts, a well-known arts venue in Cirencester, has issued a plea to the community to “use us or lose us,” warning that it could close within six months without new funding. Established in 1978 in the historic former Cirencester Brewery buildings, the charity has served the town for nearly 50 years, offering workshops,… [Read More]
UN Expert Urges Rights-Based Approach to Energy and Water Access
A UN expert has called for rights-based energy and water systems to prevent the commodification of water and move beyond traditional market-driven energy models. During the presentation of his report “Water and Energy Nexus” at the UN Human Rights Council, Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, highlighted… [Read More]
Pakistan Launches HPV Vaccine to Protect Girls Against Cervical Cancer
The Government of Pakistan, through its Federal Directorate for Immunization (FDI) and in partnership with Gavi, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer. This initiative represents a significant step in improving women’s health and advancing Pakistan’s goal to eliminate… [Read More]
Call for Expressions of Interest: Join the Multi-Hazard Research Network
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is inviting expressions of interest by 8 October 2025 to establish a Multi-Hazard Research Network (MHRN). The network is intended to provide rapid, high-quality evidence and expert advice to the FCDO and its partners, supporting timely and effective responses to emergencies. By informing evidence-based decision-making, the MHRN… [Read More]
Creative New Zealand Expands Funding for Arts Organisations and Groups
Creative New Zealand has announced that its Arts Organisations and Groups (AOG) Fund will offer more flexible and longer-term funding options, creating new opportunities for arts organisations and groups across Aotearoa New Zealand. The extended fund is designed to provide greater stability, allowing organisations to plan ahead, grow their work, and strengthen their impact in… [Read More]
Montreal Invests in Water and Wastewater Infrastructure to Boost Housing Development
The Government of Canada and the City of Montreal have announced a joint investment of $320 million to support infrastructure for the first phase of the Namur-Hippodrome neighborhood, aimed at accelerating housing construction. The federal contribution of up to $128.3 million comes through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), while the City of Montreal adds… [Read More]
The future of UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE)
The UK Government has announced a £448 million investment in research and development for the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE), enabling the maritime sector to plan the next five years of clean innovation. This funding aligns with the Department for Transport’s March 2025 maritime decarbonisation strategy (MDS), which sets out a pathway… [Read More]
Scaling Water Reuse: Unlocking Municipal and Industrial Efficiency
The World Bank Group has released its flagship report, “Scaling Water Reuse: A Tipping Point for Municipal and Industrial Use,” emphasizing the urgent need to invest in water treatment and reuse. The report highlights how treated water can provide fit-for-purpose supply for both municipal and industrial applications, unlocking a sustainable and valuable resource that remains… [Read More]
Ukraine Reports Highest Civilian Toll from Cluster Munitions for Third Consecutive Year
The latest Cluster Munitions Monitor reports that more than 1,200 people have been killed or injured in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, though the true number is likely much higher and may take years to determine. Loren Persi, team lead for the report, highlighted that similar underestimations occurred in conflicts in Syria… [Read More]
Yemen Crisis Deepens: UN Warns of Famine, Fighting, and Aid Worker Detentions
UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg addressed the Security Council, emphasizing that the crisis in Yemen is deeply intertwined with broader regional instability. He described Yemen as both a reflection and an amplifier of regional volatility, noting that progress toward peace is hindered by regional rivalries, cross-border tensions, and internal divisions. Grundberg highlighted that the ongoing… [Read More]
UN Revises 2026 Budget Proposal with Cost Cuts and Reform Measures
The United Nations has finalized revised estimates for its 2026 proposed programme budget, incorporating more than $500 million in reductions while introducing the first measures of the UN80 Initiative, a broader effort to make the Organisation more effective and resilient on its 80th anniversary. The revised estimates, shared with the Advisory Committee on Administrative and… [Read More]
Strengthening Supply Chains to Drive Inclusive Growth in Asia-Pacific
The International Labour Organization (ILO) convened the forum “Resilient Supply Chains and Equitable Growth in a Changing World of Work: Advancing Decent Work through Regional Cooperation in Asia and the Pacific” in Bangkok, Thailand, on 15–16 September 2025, highlighting the critical role of supply chains in driving inclusive growth across the region. Participants stressed that… [Read More]
