Dire fertiliser shortage a lurking threat due to Hormuz crisis

At the centre of it lies the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints – which carries around a quarter of global seaborne oil, along with significant volumes of liquefied natural gas and fertilisers, according to a recent UN report. To better understand the implications of this disruption, and the findings […]

Continue Reading

Developing countries are being priced out, in struggle for affordable finance

A credit rating is an assessment of how likely a borrower, such as a government, is to repay its debt on time and in full. For sovereign states, ratings influence how much countries pay to borrow in international markets: the lower the rating, the higher the perceived risk and usually the higher the interest costs. […]

Continue Reading

Middle East war: Energy crunch hits vulnerable nations

And with Brent Crude still trading at more than $100 per barrel, many workers and households have reverted to using oil and coal, raising concerns of lasting environmental damage, while numerous countries have already announced fuel rationing and a move to online meetings. Just over four weeks since Israeli–US bombing of Iran began, sparking the […]

Continue Reading

Scale with the OVHcloud Startup Program 2026

Looking to scale your startup while keeping infrastructure costs predictable and your data secure? The OVHcloud Startup Program 2026 supports startups building digital products on scalable cloud infrastructure — without taking any equity. With up to €100,000 in cloud credits in Europe and up to $150,000 CAD in Canada, plus expert technical guidance and ecosystem […]

Continue Reading

The Dimension of Tech Dollars: World Labs Secures $1 Billion to Bridge AI and Reality with a Focus on Spatial Intelligence

SAN FRANCISCO — In a move that signals the next major pivot in the artificial intelligence arms race, World Labs, the startup founded by “Godmother of AI” Dr. Fei-Fei Li, announced on February 18, 2026, that it has raised $1 billion in a transformative funding round. The capital injection, which includes a strategic $200 million […]

Continue Reading

From Scunthorpe to the Aegean: British Steel Secures Landmark 24/7 Turkey Rail Deal

SCUNTHORPE, UK — In a major resurgence for British heavy industry, British Steel has secured an “eight-figure” contract to supply 36,000 tonnes of rail for Turkey’s ambitious high-speed rail network. The deal, announced on February 18, 2026, has acted as a historic catalyst for the company’s Scunthorpe plant, which has resumed round-the-clock, 24/7 manufacturing operations […]

Continue Reading

Artists face steep income decline due to AI, UNESCO finds

The latest edition of Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity, UNESCO’s flagship monitoring report covering more than 120 countries, warns that generative AI is projected to drive significant income losses for artists by 2028. ‑generated content in global markets. The report stresses that these disruptions are occurring at a pace that outstrips current policy responses, exacerbating inequalities […]

Continue Reading

Humanitarian access to Gaza still insufficient for relief and rebuilding: UN development chief

Mr. De Croo, who chose Gaza for his first overseas visit since being appointed to the top job in November 2025, called for an expansion of access to the occupied territory for UN agencies to strengthen efforts to remove rubble and waste, provide shelter and medical equipment and evacuate patients. On Monday, Mr. De Croo […]

Continue Reading

UN social policy commission closes with calls to turn pledges into action

Meeting at UN Headquarters, in New York, from 2 to 10 February, the Commission for Social Development marked its first session since the Second World Summit for Social Development, held in Doha last year. The gathering brought together ministers, senior UN officials, civil society groups and youth representatives to examine how global pledges can be […]

Continue Reading

In the hands of innovators from the Global South, AI can transform lives

Fodder cutters are fearsome machines with huge circular blades spinning at high speed, powered by small generators. Operated by rural workers in several developing countries, including India, Pakistan and Kenya, they pose a constant risk – many have had hands or arms amputated following accidents. The consequences are devastating. Tasks that shape daily life – […]

Continue Reading