Tuesday, May 26

World

WEF26: Saudi Arabia leads new global push to protect coral reefs, unlock AI potential
World

WEF26: Saudi Arabia leads new global push to protect coral reefs, unlock AI potential

The Saudi delegation to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 today observed a series of announcements aimed at addressing urgent global challenges. Her Royal Highness Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States of America, announced that Saudi Arabia will host the first Global Coral Reef Summit in 2026, bringing together global leaders, scientists, and investors to drive solutions for the protection and recovery of coral reef ecosystems. The summit will address key challenges and policy and regulatory gaps, develop science-based solutions, and advance sustainable financing and investment mechanisms to scale coral reef protection and recover...
Doha Debates Reflects on a Landmark Year of Global Dialogue and Youth Engagement
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Doha Debates Reflects on a Landmark Year of Global Dialogue and Youth Engagement

In 2026, Doha Debates addresses the world’s most pressing questions through global dialogue that engages diverse audiences, including youth In 2025, Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates strengthened its role as a global platform for truth-seeking dialogue, bringing students and leading thinkers together to explore ideas shaping today’s most urgent questions––from freedom and justice to identity and belonging. Its reach continued to grow, surpassing 13.8 million video views and engaging nearly seven million followers across social platforms, including more than one million YouTube subscribers. A major milestone came with season four of The Negotiators, which earned international recognition, winning the Folio Award for Historical Reporting&...
US accuses South Africa military of ‘cosying up to Iran’
World

US accuses South Africa military of ‘cosying up to Iran’

Warships from Iran and other Brics+ nations are conducting drills off the coast of South Africa The US has accused South Africa's defence ministry of refusing to obey orders from its own government to send home Iranian warships that have been conducting naval exercises in the African country's waters.  "South Africa can't lecture the world on 'justice' while cozying up to Iran," it said in a statement. In response, South Africa's defence ministry said it was launching an inquiry to get to the root of these "serious allegations". Washington has criticised South Africa for inviting Iran at a time when a brutal crackdown against protests was happening in the Middle Eastern country. It said the South African military's actions did not amount to "non-alignment" but...
Opposition supporters killed in overnight clashes as Uganda president takes election lead
World

Opposition supporters killed in overnight clashes as Uganda president takes election lead

Security has been tightened across the country with vote counting under way At least seven Ugandan opposition supporters were killed overnight in disputed circumstances, as President Yoweri Museveni has taken a strong lead in results from Thursday's presidential election. The opposition say they were attacked by security forces in the home of an MP in Butambala, about 55km (35 miles) south-west of the capital, Kampala, while police blame the violence on the opposition. Electoral figures so far put Museveni in front with 75% of the vote and his main rival Bobi Wine on 21%, based on returns from 70% of polling stations. The US embassy has issued an alert because of reports the security forces were "using teargas and firing into the air to disperse gatherings". Wine's home in K...
Rubicon Carbon to Supply Microsoft with Two Million Tonnes of Carbon Removal Credits from Kijani Forestry Project
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Rubicon Carbon to Supply Microsoft with Two Million Tonnes of Carbon Removal Credits from Kijani Forestry Project

The agreement marks the first transaction executed under the carbon removal framework established by Rubicon Carbon and Microsoft.  Rubicon Carbon, a vertically integrated carbon credit investment and management firm, signed an agreement to deliver two million high-quality Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) credits to Microsoft over nine years. The credits will be sourced through 2035 from Kijani Forestry’s Smallholder Farmer Forestry Project, which is one of the first to be approved under Uganda’s Climate Change Mechanisms Regulations. The Smallholder Farmer Forestry Project in Northern Uganda is the first to advance under the framework between Rubicon Carbon and Microsoft, which facilitates the purchase of up to 18 million tonnes of high-quality car...
Kyanja High School Wins the 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Global High Schools – Sub-Saharan Africa Category
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Kyanja High School Wins the 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Global High Schools – Sub-Saharan Africa Category

Kyanja High School, located in Uganda, has been named the winner of the 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Global High Schools – Sub-Saharan Africa category. The school was recognised for its student-led ‘EcoLoop’ project, an innovative circular farming system designed to combat malnutrition, reduce waste, and strengthen food security in rural communities. EcoLoop integrates duck farming and catfish aquaculture in a zero-waste design: ducks are housed in raised shelters above fishponds, allowing their droppings to naturally fertilise the water and promote plankton growth. This closed-loop approach eliminates the need for synthetic feed while producing two reliable protein sources — fish and eggs. Through this system, students will gain hands-on skills in agroecology, aquacultur...
Alta Semper Secures USD 57.5 Million from EIB Group and IFC for Growth Fund II to Expand Healthcare Access AcrossAfrica
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Alta Semper Secures USD 57.5 Million from EIB Group and IFC for Growth Fund II to Expand Healthcare Access AcrossAfrica

Alta Semper Capital LLP (“Alta Semper”), a London-based private equity firm focused on healthcare and consumer investments in high-growth markets, today announced that it has secured USD 57.5 million in commitments to Alta Semper Growth Fund II. These commitments come from a consortium of investors including the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). This landmark partnership was signified earlier today with a momentous signing ceremony held at a Government Ministry in Cairo. The EIB Group, comprising the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund, has committed USD 37.5 million, while the IFC has committed USD 20.0 million. This milestone marks a significant achievement in the Fund’s fundraising journey and reinfor...
Zayed Sustainability Prize Honours Global Pioneers Advancing Progress 
World

Zayed Sustainability Prize Honours Global Pioneers Advancing Progress 

• US$5.9M awarded to 11 organisations and high schools from the UAE, Brazil, Canada, Nepal, Switzerland, Uganda and across six sustainability categories • From AI-enabled diagnostics to Cooling-as-a-Service, this year’s winners deliver locally adapted innovations that empower millions  • In 18 years, the Prize has scaled solutions reaching more than 411 million people globally The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering award for innovative solutions to global challenges, today announced thecohort of 2026 winners, celebrating 18 years of empowering communities and driving inclusive, sustainable progress around the world. In a ceremony held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and attended by Heads ...
Jadwa Investment Launches SAR 750m GCC-Focused Private Credit Fund
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Jadwa Investment Launches SAR 750m GCC-Focused Private Credit Fund

Jadwa Investment, a leading investment management and advisory firm in the Middle East, has announced the launch of its flagship private credit fund, Jadwa GCC Diversified Private Credit Fund, with a target size of up to SAR 750m (USD 200m). The fund has successfully completed its first close at over SAR 300m (USD 80m) and has already deployed capital into its first two investments, in partnerships with regional fintech platforms Lendo and JeelPay. Two further investments are expected to close in the first half of 2026. Following the launch of multiple deal-specific private credit funds, Jadwa GCC Diversified Private Credit Fund marks Jadwa’s first blind-pool regional private credit vehicle, offering institutional and private w...
Royal Decree Establishes the International Financial Centre of Oman
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Royal Decree Establishes the International Financial Centre of Oman

His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, may God protect and preserve him, has issued a Royal Decree establishing the International Financial Centre of Oman (IFC Oman) and enacting its own dedicated law. The establishment of the International Financial Centre of Oman aligns with the Sultanate of Oman’s strategic directions aimed at diversifying the national economy, strengthening Oman’s position as a global hub for financial services, attracting capital, and supporting innovation. The creation of the Centre also reflects Oman’s commitment to building a trusted and effective ecosystem for delivering advanced financial services that meet the needs of investors and global institutions. Under the Law of the International Financial Centre of Oman, issued by Royal Decree No. (8/2026), the Cen...
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