CIMB Bank Bhd and CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd will begin accepting applications for their SME Stabilisation Relief Facility (SRF) from May 15 until December 31, 2026, or until the allocated funds are fully utilised. The SRF is part of Bank Negara Malaysia’s RM5 billion relief package designed to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)… [Read More]

A non-governmental organisation, Deborah’s Impact Project Global, has provided food items and free medical services to around 300 vulnerable households in the Oniru community of Lagos. The outreach initiative was designed to support widows, elderly individuals, and low-income families struggling with economic hardship. The programme included the distribution of food packs alongside basic medical screenings… [Read More]

Islamic finance expert Tan Sri Dr Mohd Daud Bakar has been charged again, this time for allegedly embezzling over RM10 million together with company director Datuk Norliza Tajudin. Both face seven counts of criminal breach of trust under Section 409 of the Penal Code, including allegations involving RM2 million belonging to former deputy minister Datuk… [Read More]

An environmental NGO, Awaaz Foundation, has urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene in the proposed Maharashtra Maritime Board (Regulation of Display of Advertisements) Regulations 2026. The group has raised serious concerns about the environmental and ecological impact of allowing commercial advertisements along the state’s coastline. The proposed policy, notified by the Maharashtra Maritime… [Read More]

The United Nations has highlighted the growing severity of humanitarian crises across several conflict-affected and vulnerable regions worldwide. Ongoing violence, displacement, economic instability, and climate-related pressures continue to place millions of people at risk, increasing the demand for emergency assistance and protection services. According to the report, civilians remain the most affected by worsening insecurity… [Read More]

Oil prices rallied sharply on Monday after President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s response to a US peace proposal as “unacceptable,” raising fears over supply disruptions with the Strait of Hormuz still largely closed. Brent crude climbed to US$103.99 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate rose to US$97.66, both having touched higher levels earlier in… [Read More]

The Madrid City Council has announced the ten startups selected to participate in the XIII Madrid Emprende Investment Forum, which will take place on 27 May 2026 at the Palacio de Cibeles. The initiative aims to connect innovative startups with private investors, accelerate business growth, and strengthen Madrid’s position as a leading hub for entrepreneurship… [Read More]

Foreign investors returned as net buyers of Malaysian equities last week after three consecutive weeks of net selling, recording a net inflow of RM95.2 million compared to a net outflow of RM160.8 million the week before. This lifted their year-to-date (YTD) 2026 net inflow to RM3.1 billion, a sharp reversal from the RM22.6 billion net… [Read More]

The Ontario government has announced an investment of more than $14 million to improve critical water infrastructure in Lanark and Frontenac counties. The funding is part of the province’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Health and Safety Water Stream, designed to strengthen essential infrastructure, support housing development, and encourage long-term economic growth across Eastern Ontario. The… [Read More]

The United Nations reports a worsening global humanitarian situation marked by multiple overlapping crises across conflict-affected regions. Civilians continue to face increasing risks from armed violence, displacement, and destruction of essential infrastructure, while humanitarian access remains constrained in several areas. In different regions, ongoing hostilities have led to rising civilian casualties and large-scale displacement. Communities… [Read More]

Maryland ratepayers are facing a projected $1.6 billion increase in electric bills over the next decade, averaging about $345 per household, due to transmission upgrades largely driven by data centers in Northern Virginia. The state’s Office of People’s Counsel (OPC) has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), arguing that PJM Interconnection’s… [Read More]

The Ontario government is investing more than $14 million to improve water and stormwater infrastructure in Lanark and Frontenac counties as part of its broader strategy to support housing development and economic growth. The funding comes through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Health and Safety Water Stream, which focuses on strengthening essential infrastructure needed to… [Read More]

The Ontario government has announced a $5.5 million investment to support Greenwater Technology in producing renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel using mill by-products and underutilized wood resources. The initiative is designed to create new market opportunities for Ontario’s forest sector while helping transportation and aviation industries transition toward cleaner fuel alternatives. The investment also… [Read More]

The Government of Ontario has announced an investment of more than $3 million to strengthen sports and recreation infrastructure in Sault Ste. Marie. The funding package includes support for hosting the 2028 Ontario Winter Games and redevelopment work at the John Rhodes Community Centre. The initiative aims to promote tourism, create employment opportunities, and improve… [Read More]

The FAO Private Sector Dialogue: Shaping Private Sector Perspectives was held on 29 April in Izmir, Türkiye, jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Izmir Commodity Exchange (ICE). The consultation provided a strategic platform to align private sector perspectives with regional food security and sustainable agriculture objectives,… [Read More]

The World Health Organization (WHO) is undergoing a major restructuring, triggered by the US withdrawal and a deep budget crisis, which has led to significant staff cuts and shifts in workforce composition. While WHO claims to have achieved gender parity among its 8,569 staff members, recent data shows women’s representation declined slightly from 50.1% in… [Read More]

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and Bank Indonesia (BI) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two central banks. The agreement establishes a comprehensive framework for collaboration across key areas of central banking, including monetary policy, financial stability, macroprudential policy, payment systems and digitalisation, financial sector development, capacity-building, and… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched a new Enterprise Security Enhancement (ESE) initiative in Ukraine aimed at strengthening the resilience of businesses and households affected by the ongoing war. The program is being implemented in partnership with leading Ukrainian banks and is designed to address critical financing challenges caused by widespread… [Read More]

When the earthquake struck Myanmar in March 2025, it compounded existing humanitarian and labour market crises, leaving communities facing displacement, job losses, and prolonged uncertainty. Recovery required more than immediate relief—it demanded decent work opportunities, skills development, and lasting capacities to rebuild livelihoods. In the year following the disaster, the ILO’s Employment Intensive Investment Programme… [Read More]

Spain has announced a humanitarian contribution of EUR 10 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to address worsening food insecurity linked to conflict and the ripple effects of the escalation in the Middle East. Approved by Spain’s Council of Ministers on 14 April and channelled through the Spanish Agency for International Development… [Read More]

The United Nations has launched a new joint initiative called Weaving Afghanistan’s Hope and Displacement Actions Together (WAHDAT) to support returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and vulnerable host communities in Afghanistan’s western provinces of Herat and Farah. The project is designed to address urgent humanitarian needs while supporting long-term recovery and community resilience. The initiative… [Read More]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent address to the nation marked a significant shift in India’s economic strategy, calling for rigorous austerity measures to counter mounting global pressures. He emphasized rationing fuel consumption and encouraging a return to remote work patterns, drawing parallels to the COVID‑19 pandemic response. By reducing commuting and increasing reliance on public… [Read More]

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) highlights a new approach to conserving Colombo’s urban wetlands by focusing on the power of stories, cultural heritage, and community memory. This initiative brings attention to how local histories and lived experiences can play a central role in strengthening environmental protection efforts. Colombo’s wetlands are a vital ecological system… [Read More]