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EIB Global Provides €7.5 Million to Centenary Bank Malawi to Boost Agricultural Lending and Women's Empowerment

EIB Global Provides €7.5 Million to Centenary Bank Malawi to Boost Agricultural Lending and Women's Empowerment

EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank Group, is providing €7.5 million to Centenary Bank Malawi. This financing aims to strengthen lending to smallholder farmers and micro agri-food enterprises in Malawi. A significant portion of this funding is strategically allocated: 50% is earmarked to promote sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture, and the other 50% is dedicated to advancing the economic empowerment of women in the country. This initiative is part of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy, which seeks to create new financing opportunities for Malawi’s agricultural sector. The goal is to address rural poverty in Malawi, where agriculture accounts for over 70% of employment, and where small-scale farmers and agri-businesses often face limited access to finance. Additionally, women entrepreneurs, who are central to the agricultural value chains, encounter persistent gender-specific barriers to financial access. The EIB Global loan is complemented by a comprehensive tec...

Peace Corps Volunteers Welcomed in Liberia, Emphasizing Humility and Local Partnership

Peace Corps Volunteers Welcomed in Liberia, Emphasizing Humility and Local Partnership

A new group of Peace Corps Volunteers has arrived in Liberia, following the completion of ten weeks of pre-service training. Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, Liberia's Minister of Education, officially welcomed the volunteers at a swearing-in ceremony held at Monrovia City Hall. Minister Jallah encouraged the volunteers to approach their service with humility, openness, and respect for the communities they will be working in. She stressed the importance of viewing their initial time in these communities as a learning experience, urging them to listen, build relationships, and collaborate with local teachers, education officials, health workers, parents, students, and community leaders. For those assigned to schools, the Minister highlighted the need to work as partners with existing Liberian education system personnel, rather than assuming they are there to provide all solutions. The Minister also called upon County and District Education Officers, school administrators, and local stakeholders to embrace the volunt...

Explainer-EU chief wants Canada to become an 'associate member'. What does that mean?

Explainer-EU chief wants Canada to become an 'associate member'. What does that mean?

By Julia Payne BRUSSELS, Sept 16 (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday she wanted to open the door for Canada to become the European Union's first "associate member".

A Hague court convicts Kosovo’s former President Thaci of war crimes and sentences him to 25 years

A Hague court convicts Kosovo’s former President Thaci of war crimes and sentences him to 25 years

A European Union-backed court has convicted former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci of four counts of war crimes during Kosovo's war for independence from Serbia

Ukraine proposes record defence spending next year as war costs soar

Ukraine proposes record defence spending next year as war costs soar

By Olena Harmash KYIV, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Ukraine is proposing record defence spending for 2027 as the cost of the war with Russia, now in its fifth year, rises and the country needs more financial support from its partners, officials said on Wednesday.

Hague court convicts Kosovo’s former President Thaci of war crimes, sentences him to 25 years

Hague court convicts Kosovo’s former President Thaci of war crimes, sentences him to 25 years

A European Union-backed court has convicted former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci of four counts of war crimes committed during his country’s war for independence from Serbia and sentenced him to 25 years in prison

Portugal and Mozambique Discuss New Defense Cooperation Package Amid Cabo Delgado Insurgency

Portugal and Mozambique Discuss New Defense Cooperation Package Amid Cabo Delgado Insurgency

Mozambican President Daniel Chapo and Portuguese Defence Minister Nuno Melo have engaged in discussions regarding a new bilateral defense cooperation package. This initiative includes the revision of their existing framework agreement on defense and addresses the future of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Mozambique (EUMAM-MOZ). Minister Melo emphasized that both nations are actively working on an updated version of the defense cooperation agreement and highlighted Portugal's role in supporting Mozambique's objectives within the European Union context. The meeting also served as an opportunity to review the broader friendship and cooperation between Mozambique and Portugal across various sectors. In a separate but related development, President Chapo met with Lieutenant General Michiel van der Laan, director of the European Union's military missions, who stressed the importance of providing direct support to forces combating insurgents in Cabo Delgado. The Council of the European Union rec...

Marine Le Pen Pledges 'National Priority' for French Citizens in 2027 Presidential Campaign

Marine Le Pen Pledges 'National Priority' for French Citizens in 2027 Presidential Campaign

Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally party, has launched her 2027 presidential campaign with a strong focus on 'national priority' for French citizens. In her first major speech in Hénin-Beaumont, she promised that French nationals would have 'more rights in France than others,' particularly concerning access to housing. Le Pen emphasized that this policy would apply regardless of skin color, religion, or origin, aiming to address the housing and cost-of-living crises. She also pledged to cut VAT on gas, electricity, and heating oil from 20% to 5.5% and to abolish certain environmental and administrative restrictions on planning laws to facilitate housing creation. This campaign launch comes amidst efforts to normalize the party's image, despite recent controversies, including a video showing municipal police officers making racist and sexist comments.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen says she wants Canada to become the bloc's 1st associate member

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen says she wants Canada to become the bloc's 1st associate member

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed opening a path for Canada to become the EU’s first associate member

European chip startup Axelera wins AI factory supply deals and launches second chip

European chip startup Axelera wins AI factory supply deals and launches second chip

By Toby Sterling AMSTERDAM, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Dutch chipmaking startup Axelera AI has signed multiple contracts to supply chips to AI factories, it said on Tuesday as it launched "Europa", its second generation of chips, which can be used in specified Dell and Supermicro products.

Liberia's Ministry of Education Bids Farewell to Outgoing UNICEF Representative Andy Brooks

Liberia's Ministry of Education Bids Farewell to Outgoing UNICEF Representative Andy Brooks

The Ministry of Education in Liberia, along with members of the Local Education Group (LEG), recently bid farewell to Mr. Andy Brooks, the outgoing UNICEF Representative in Liberia and LEG Co-Chair. Mr. Brooks is concluding his service in the country. The farewell event took place during a LEG meeting chaired by Minister of Education Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah. The meeting brought together government officials and education partners to discuss key sector priorities, including the Annual School Census and EMIS, TVET, the Back to My Classroom Campaign, the Mid-Term Review of the Education Sector Plan and Partnership Compact, European Union support for EMIS, and the development of the EMIS Policy. Mr. Brooks reflected on his tenure, emphasizing the importance of continuously questioning and improving the conditions children experience within the education system. He also noted the stronger alignment of development partnerships with the Ministry’s reform priorities, which are consistent with the Government’s ARRES...