The Trump administration has rolled back a key air-pollution protection targeting mercury, one of the most toxic substances on earth. This move reverses the 2024 policy under President Biden, which had lowered allowable mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants, and restores previous, less restrictive limits. Prior to this rollback, Trump had already issued exemptions to… [Read More]
Children at Risk of Execution in Iran Amid Unfair Uprising Trials
Amnesty International has called on Iranian authorities to immediately halt plans to execute eight individuals sentenced to death for alleged involvement in the January 2026 nationwide protests, urging that their convictions be quashed and that expedited, torture-tainted trials against at least 22 others be stopped. The organization has identified at least 30 people at risk… [Read More]
Global AI Summit Falls Short on Curbing Harmful Tech Practices
At the conclusion of the five-day AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Amnesty International criticized the event for failing to address the human rights risks of artificial intelligence (AI) deployment in India. Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director of Research, Advocacy Policy and Campaigns, highlighted that while India was praised for its technological progress, the summit… [Read More]
Missed Chance for Justice in Hong Kong ‘HK 47’ Case
The Hong Kong Court of Appeal recently rejected the appeals of 12 defendants in the high-profile ‘Hong Kong 47’ case, prompting strong criticism from Amnesty International. Fernando Cheung, spokesperson for Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas, condemned the decision, highlighting the politically motivated nature of the prosecutions and the ongoing erosion of human rights in the… [Read More]
Funding Needed to Support Manurewa Pacific Youth Initiatives
The Tautai Fagota Sasa’a Charitable Trust in South Auckland is seeking stronger support from the Manurewa Local Board to sustain and expand its programmes aimed at preserving and passing on Pacific cultural knowledge across generations. The trust, which operated informally for 15 years before becoming a registered charitable entity two years ago, links youth mentoring,… [Read More]
R5 Billion Lost in Gauteng: Urgent Call to Ring-Fence Water Funds
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has urged municipal councils across Gauteng and other water-stressed areas in South Africa to urgently ring-fence water and sanitation revenue, following reports that about R5 billion is being lost annually in Gauteng metros due to leaks, ageing infrastructure, and stalled maintenance. Investigations reveal that Johannesburg alone has lost R2.4 billion over… [Read More]
$5.4M from Hilton Global Foundation Supports Global Opportunity Programs
The Hilton Global Foundation (HGF), the philanthropic arm of Hilton, has announced a $5.4 million investment in 18 nonprofit organizations worldwide, marking its largest annual funding commitment to date. The grants support initiatives aligned with Hilton’s Travel with Purpose strategy, focusing on expanding career opportunities, strengthening community resilience, addressing food insecurity, and reducing environmental impact…. [Read More]
Albania Advances Social Justice Through Formal Employment Reform
On the International Day of Social Justice, Albania highlights how social justice is realized through tangible improvements in people’s lives, particularly by helping individuals transition from informal and insecure work to protected employment. The experiences of women like Vjollca and Fabiola demonstrate how access to skills training, social protection and decent work can transform vulnerability… [Read More]
Madagascar Launches New Phase in Food Systems Transformation
The Government of Madagascar has launched a new phase of strategic projects to accelerate the sustainable, inclusive and resilient transformation of its food systems, with support from the European Union and the United Nations Joint SDG Fund. Led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the initiative forms part of the country’s national roadmap to… [Read More]
Social and Solidarity Economy Key to Post-Growth Poverty Reduction
On 20 February 2026, marking the World Day of Social Justice, a new joint policy brief was launched highlighting the role of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) in advancing a human rights–based economic model. The brief was issued by the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, the ILO-chaired United Nations Inter-Agency… [Read More]
Bipartite Roadmap on Responsible Business Conduct Launched in India
On 29 January 2026 in New Delhi, the International Labour Organization convened a multi-stakeholder dialogue on Responsible Business Conduct for decent work, bringing together representatives from employers’ and workers’ organizations, government institutions, enterprises and other partners. The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration to advance responsible business practices in India, particularly in the context of evolving… [Read More]
Luxembourg and ILO Sign 2026–2029 Strategic Partnership Framework
The Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the International Labour Organization signed a new Strategic Partnership Framework for 2026–2029 in Geneva on 2 February 2026, renewing their long-standing cooperation. The agreement was formalized by senior representatives from Luxembourg’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the ILO, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing… [Read More]
Reinforcing Freedom of Association to Uphold Labour Rights
In Pampanga, the International Labour Organization partnered with the Commission on Human Rights and the Department of Labor and Employment to reaffirm their shared commitment to upholding labour rights as human rights, with a strong focus on freedom of association. A joint training brought together CHR officials, investigators and training specialists to strengthen national systems… [Read More]
New Federal Funding Boosts Employment in Eastern Townships
As global labour markets continue to shift, the Government of Canada is investing in initiatives that strengthen workforce participation and ensure access to meaningful employment opportunities. The Honourable Anna Gainey announced $6.8 million in funding over five years to support approximately 1,800 members of the English-speaking community in Quebec’s Eastern Townships through the Townshippers’ Association’s… [Read More]
New Cutting-Edge Technology Measures Introduced to Tackle Waste Crime
The Environment Agency (EA) has announced a new package of surveillance and investigative measures aimed at preventing waste crime before it occurs. The initiative forms part of a wider crackdown on illegal dumping and organised waste crime, using advanced technology and strengthened enforcement teams to detect and disrupt offenders at an earlier stage. A key… [Read More]
Tánaiste Announces €2 Million Funding Boost for Meals on Wheels Programme
During a visit to the Meals on Wheels service at St. Munchin’s Community Centre in Limerick City, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister of State for Older People Kieran O’Donnell announced a €2 million increase in 2026 funding for Meals on Wheels organisations nationwide. The additional allocation from the Health Service Executive represents a rise of… [Read More]
New EU-UN Regional Initiative Targets Gender Equality and GBV Prevention in Central Asia
The European Union and the United Nations have launched a new EU-funded UN Multi-Country Programme titled “Challenging Harmful Attitudes and Norms for Gender Equality (CHANGE)” to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) and promote gender equality across Central Asia. The programme will be jointly implemented by United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Population Fund and UN Women… [Read More]
Surge in Child Gang Recruitment Deepens Crisis in Haiti
Haiti is facing a deepening security, humanitarian, and governance crisis as armed gangs expand their control across large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and surrounding areas. Entire neighborhoods are under gang dominance, forcing families to flee and severely restricting access to schools, healthcare, and other essential services. As poverty intensifies and state presence remains limited,… [Read More]
World Bank Approves Funding to Boost Railway Infrastructure in Kazakhstan
The World Bank has approved an $846 million guarantee from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) to mobilize $1.41 billion in long-term commercial financing for a major rail connectivity project in Kazakhstan. The investment will support development along the country’s section of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor,… [Read More]
World Bank Group Partners with Papua New Guinea to Boost Job Creation
A new six-year partnership between the World Bank Group and Papua New Guinea aims to support reforms and investments that will generate employment, improve public services, and strengthen long-term resilience. Approved by the World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors on 17 February 2026, the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) will guide support through 2031,… [Read More]
World Food Programme Alerts to Severe Funding Gap Threatening Food Aid in Somalia
The World Food Programme has warned that its life-saving emergency food and nutrition operations in Somalia are at imminent risk of shutting down without immediate new funding. Resources are expected to run out within weeks, threatening to halt assistance to millions of vulnerable people. The alert comes shortly after the declaration of a national drought… [Read More]
AfDB Approves $58M Investment to Boost Clean Energy and Rural Growth in Eritrea
The African Development Bank Group has approved $58.04 million in financing to expand access to reliable and clean electricity across three towns in Eritrea’s southwest Gash Barka region. Approved on 18 February, the funding will support the Eritrea Energy Integrated Project targeting Tesseney, Kerkebet, and Berantu, with the aim of strengthening local energy infrastructure and… [Read More]
$8.5 Million REWARD Programme Launched to Boost Rice Value Chains Across West Africa
The African Development Bank Group, in partnership with the Africa Rice Centre and the Economic Community of West African States, has launched the Strengthening Adaptation to Climate Change of Rice Value Chains in West Africa (REWARD-AfricaRice) programme. The $8.5 million initiative, funded by the African Development Bank, is a multinational technical support project aimed at… [Read More]
