Heavy rainfall since Saturday caused widespread flooding in Idleb and northern Latakia, Syria, damaging around 1,800 tents and destroying at least 150 in camps for displaced families. A local hospital suspended operations, with patients evacuated and mobile medical teams deployed. Authorities opened additional shelters to accommodate affected families, while humanitarian partners worked to relocate displaced… [Read More]
New Israeli Policies in West Bank Threaten Two-State Peace Efforts
Recent measures in the West Bank are expected to facilitate the expansion of Jewish settlements on Palestinian land, increasing Israel’s control in the territory, according to media reports. The UN Secretary-General warned that these developments are eroding the prospects for a negotiated two-State solution and called on Israel to reverse the measures. He reiterated that… [Read More]
UN Manages Peacekeeping Handover in DR Congo
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa will withdraw its troops from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). He informed UN Secretary-General António Guterres on 12 January, citing the need to consolidate and realign the resources of the South African National Defence Force after 27 years of supporting… [Read More]
UN Rights Chief Calls for Action on Sudan Crisis
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned Member States at the Human Rights Council in Geneva that Sudan faces even worse violence unless immediate action is taken, calling for the extension of the arms embargo from Darfur to cover the entire country. The conflict has involved nearly three years of fighting between Sudan’s… [Read More]
Jimmy Lai Sentenced to 20 Years: UN Calls for His Immediate Release
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, condemned the 20-year prison sentence imposed on Jimmy Lai, the 78-year-old founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, following his conviction under Hong Kong’s national security-related laws. On 15 December 2025, the High Court found Mr. Lai guilty of conspiracy to publish seditious material… [Read More]
Tragic Shipwreck Claims 53 Lives Near Libya
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a boat carrying migrants overturned in the frigid waters of the central Mediterranean Sea, north of the Libyan town of Zuwara, last Friday. The incident is the latest in a series of deadly accidents involving vulnerable people who are often exploited by smuggling gangs that have thrived… [Read More]
Amnesty Law Could Free Political Prisoners in Venezuela
Venezuela’s legislature has unanimously passed the first reading of a proposed amnesty law aimed at promoting peace, democratic coexistence, and national reconciliation as the country enters a new political era following the recent removal of former President Nicolás Maduro. The draft law is seen by supporters as an opportunity to provide justice and alleviate the… [Read More]
FAO Training Boosts Tajikistan’s Foot-and-Mouth Disease Detection Capacity
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently conducted a five-day training course on the laboratory diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) for central and regional laboratory specialists in Tajikistan. The training was organized under the Committee for Food Security of the Government of Tajikistan and is part of a broader FAO regional… [Read More]
The Fragile State of California’s Energy Infrastructure
California’s Net Zero emission goals, championed by Governor Gavin Newsom and other state leaders, face a fundamental limitation: wind turbines and solar panels generate electricity only. While renewable electricity is critical, hydrocarbons remain essential for physical mobility, powering sectors such as trucking, mining, construction, aviation, maritime trade, and military operations. Liquid fuels provide unmatched energy… [Read More]
How a Just Transition Could Transform Food, Land, and Water in Southern Africa
To address Southern Africa’s food, land, and water inequalities, it is essential to first listen to local communities and resolve the conflicts that divide them. Effective solutions require cooperation among diverse actors, meaningful participation from indigenous communities, and strong governance systems. These key themes were highlighted during a panel discussion at the annual Science Forum… [Read More]
$50 Million Trade Finance Facility Launched to Strengthen Tunisia’s Trade by AfDB and BIAT
The African Development Bank Group and Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie (BIAT) have signed a $50 million Trade Finance Guarantee Facility to strengthen trade finance and support Tunisia’s private sector. The agreement, signed at BIAT’s headquarters in Tunis, aims to bolster the activities of Tunisian businesses, create jobs, and improve access to essential goods by… [Read More]
Maldives Boosts Financial Inclusion with Sustainable Finance Frameworks
The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has launched national frameworks for financial inclusion and sustainable finance, alongside a new entity to manage the country’s payment infrastructure. These initiatives aim to strengthen the financial ecosystem and support socio-economic development. The National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) is designed to create a more financially inclusive environment and is structured… [Read More]
South Sudan Conflict Threatens the Lives of Malnourished Children
In South Sudan, more than 450,000 children are at risk of acute malnutrition as violent clashes in Jonglei state have caused mass displacement and disrupted critical health and nutrition services, UNICEF warned. Since the beginning of 2026, fighting in Jonglei has displaced at least 250,000 people, particularly in the northern and central areas of the… [Read More]
UN Leaders Call for Action as Millions of Girls Remain at Risk of Female Genital Mutilation
In 2026 alone, an estimated 4.5 million girls, many under the age of five, are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM). Currently, over 230 million girls and women live with the consequences of this harmful practice. On the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, UN leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ending FGM… [Read More]
Conflict and Violence Persist for Children Across MENA in 2026
Just weeks into 2026, the impact of violence and conflict on children across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is already severe. Children in the region have been killed, injured, displaced, arrested, and denied access to education and essential services as ongoing conflicts continue to disrupt their lives, often irreparably. In Syria, renewed clashes… [Read More]
Breakthrough Study Shows How to Reduce Memory Loss in Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers are exploring new potential treatments targeting the enzyme PTP1B, which may play a role in memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease. A recent study suggests that limiting the activity of this enzyme could help slow cognitive decline in the neurodegenerative disorder, which progressively impairs memory and thinking. Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in… [Read More]
Climate Finance Surge for Developing Nations: Is the UK About to U-Turn?
According to The Guardian, UK ministers plan to reduce climate finance for developing countries from £11.6 billion over the past five years to £9 billion in the next five, which, when adjusted for inflation, represents an approximate 40% cut in spending power since 2021. At the UN COP29 Summit in 2024, nearly 200 nations, including… [Read More]
$15M Care Fund for Protection Practitioners Launches
The National Council of Social Service (NCSS) will launch a $15 million Protection Practitioners Care Fund from 1 February 2026 to support social service agencies (SSAs) in creating more supportive work environments. The fund was first announced by the Minister for Social Services Integration, Mr Desmond Lee, in Parliament on 5 November 2025. Protection practitioners… [Read More]
Global Economies Push for Open Innovation Amid Rapid Advances in Science, Technology and AI
APEC economies have called for stronger policy coordination and practical cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, as artificial intelligence and other frontier technologies rapidly transform the Asia-Pacific region’s economic landscape. The emphasis was on leveraging technological advances while addressing shared challenges such as digital inequality, sustainability, and responsible technology governance. Chen Jiachang, Vice Minister of… [Read More]
Women in STEM: Apply for Fully Funded Scholarship Opportunities
Applications are now open for fully funded STEM scholarships for the 2026 academic year, offering a unique opportunity for women interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The scholarships target women from eligible countries, including India and other South Asian nations, with the goal of supporting advanced studies and fostering careers in fields where women… [Read More]
Global Baseline Report Examines Sport’s Contribution to the SDGs
The Commonwealth has launched its first-ever Global Sport and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Baseline and Initial Impact Report at Canada House, London. The report establishes a baseline for measuring how physical education, physical activity, and sport (PEPAS) contribute to achieving the SDGs. Its findings reveal progress across Commonwealth countries, with Jamaica emerging as a global… [Read More]
WFP Suspends Aid in Baliet County as South Sudan Crisis Deepens
In Juba, South Sudan, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended all activities in Baliet County following multiple attacks on its river convoy in Upper Nile State. Between January 30 and February 1, a 12-boat convoy carrying over 1,500 metric tons of essential food and non-food items for partners was attacked and looted… [Read More]
Ending FGM Through Survivor-Led Community Action
Female genital mutilation (FGM) continues to violate the rights of women and girls, causing lasting physical and psychological harm. Yet progress is being made through community-driven initiatives, mentoring, safe spaces, and survivor-led advocacy. Over the past decade, the global prevalence of FGM among girls has dropped from one in two to one in three, though… [Read More]

























