On Wednesday, the European Parliament approved EU aid for 915 former Goodyear employees in Hanau and Fulda, Germany. With 577 votes in favour, 47 against, and 15 abstentions, MEPs endorsed Germany’s request for €3,085,166 from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to support those laid off following the closure of Goodyear’s tyre… [Read More]
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Belgium Workers Receive €900,000+ EU Funding to Boost Employment Support
On Wednesday, the European Parliament approved EU aid for workers affected by the closure of Belgian chip manufacturer BelGaN. With 578 votes in favor, 47 against, and 16 abstentions, Parliament endorsed Belgium’s request for €931,690 from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to support 417 employees who lost their jobs following the… [Read More]
Alarming Human Rights Abuses Reported in Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, and China
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three emergency resolutions addressing human rights concerns in Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, and China. In Equatorial Guinea, MEPs condemned serious human rights violations, including torture, inhumane prison conditions, political persecution, and restrictions on freedom of expression under Teodoro Obiang’s regime. The Parliament highlighted the arbitrary detention of Spanish citizens Javier… [Read More]
Urgent Appeal: Unblock Humanitarian Aid and Address Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan
The European Parliament has called for urgent action to ensure humanitarian aid reaches all earthquake victims in Afghanistan, particularly in the Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, where restrictive gender policies by the Taliban are obstructing relief efforts. In a resolution adopted by 504 votes in favor, 74 against, and 30 abstentions, MEPs emphasized the need to… [Read More]
UK Families in Crisis: 500,000 Children Living in Benefits Debt Cycle
New data reveals that over 500,000 children in the UK live in families in debt to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) due to loans taken out to cover the five-week wait for their first universal credit payments. Citizens Advice obtained the figures under freedom of information laws, showing that around 800,000 households on… [Read More]
PAHO and OAS Partner to Advance Mental Health Awareness During Inter-American Mental Health Week
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Organization of American States (OAS) are marking the first-ever Inter-American Mental Health Week during the second week of October, focusing on the theme “Empower, Connect, Care: Strengthening Child and Youth Mental Health in the Americas.” The initiative highlights the importance of addressing mental health challenges in children… [Read More]
Kenya Court Upholds Women’s Rights: Restrictive Abortion Clause Struck Down
On October 2, 2025, the High Court of Kenya struck down Paragraph 12 of Clause 3.4.1 of the National Reproductive Health Policy 2022–2032, which sought to restrict access to safe and legal abortion by prioritizing the highest attainable standard of health of the foetus over the pregnant woman. The court found that this clause contradicted… [Read More]
Advancing Sustainable Agriculture: Nestlé Partners with World Farmers’ Organisation
Nestlé and the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) have launched a pioneering partnership aimed at enhancing the resilience of global food systems to climate change. The collaboration focuses on advocating for fair policies and practical solutions, including regenerative agriculture, to empower farmers and support their adaptation to climate-related challenges. Arnold Puech d’Alissac, President of the WFO,… [Read More]
$476 Billion Climate Threat Looms Over Small Island States: Report Calls for $12 Billion Annual Funding
Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which contribute less than one per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, face catastrophic climate-related losses of up to $476 billion by 2050 if urgent adaptation measures are not implemented, according to a new report by the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA). Rising seas, stronger storms, saltwater intrusion, and collapsing… [Read More]
Empowering Nigerian NGOs: Turning USAID Funding Cuts into Opportunity
The Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) has launched the NGO Support Initiative, a mentorship-driven capacity-building program designed to empower 17 Nigerian NGOs affected by recent USAID funding disruptions. The initiative aims to safeguard Nigeria’s civil society sector, particularly organizations promoting social inclusion, women’s rights, and good governance, by providing resources, guidance, and strategic support… [Read More]
Understanding the Gaza Ceasefire: What the Agreement Means
Israeli troops have begun withdrawing from parts of Gaza following the approval of the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire and hostage return deal. The agreement, signed after intense negotiations in Egypt, requires Israel to pull back to an agreed line within 24 hours, after which Hamas has 72 hours to release remaining… [Read More]
India–Africa Scholarship Scheme Africa Launch Set for Osun, Backed by $500 Million Trust Fund
The Osun State Government in Nigeria will host the African launch of the annual India–Africa Scholarship Scheme, which offers over 10,000 awards, alongside the inauguration of the $500 million International–Africa Scholarship Trust Fund (IASTF). This follows the initiative’s global debut in New Delhi in March 2025 and reflects a growing partnership between India and Africa… [Read More]
Women Entrepreneurs in Africa Face Funding Gaps in the Green Economy
Michelle Lingam’s experience as a solar installation entrepreneur in Africa highlights a persistent challenge: women-led businesses, despite being crucial for climate action, face systemic barriers to formal financing. Lingam found that banks routinely rejected her loan applications due to insufficient collateral—a common obstacle for new ventures lacking substantial assets. Her struggles mirror those of many… [Read More]
FAO Celebrates 80 Years with Global “From Seeds to Foods” Exhibition
Rome – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is marking the start of its 80th anniversary celebrations with a global exhibition titled “From Seeds to Foods,” taking place from 10 to 13 October in the Park of Porta Capena, opposite FAO headquarters. The open-air exhibition transforms the area into a vibrant… [Read More]
Boosting Nutrition and Food Security: France, FAO and World Vision Partner in Masvingo and Mwenezi
Masvingo, Zimbabwe – The Government of France, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Vision, and the Government of Zimbabwe have celebrated progress under the Nourish and Thrive: Inclusive and Sustainable Nutrition and Livelihoods Initiative, a €1 million project supporting vulnerable families in drought-affected Masvingo and Mwenezi Districts. French Ambassador to… [Read More]
FAO Launches ZRBF Phase 2 to Boost Resilience for 450,000 Rural Zimbabweans
Harare, Zimbabwe – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Zimbabwe, together with development partners and government representatives, held the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF) Phase 2 Inception Workshop from 7 to 9 October 2025. The meeting marked a key step in operationalizing the programme, which aims to strengthen climate resilience and… [Read More]
Zimbabwe: FAO Empowers Security Partners to Combat Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
FAO Zimbabwe has launched a five-day training programme on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) for contracted security personnel, aiming to protect the rights and dignity of programme beneficiaries and host communities. Held at FAO’s Harare offices, the sessions engaged 54 participants and sought to strengthen safeguarding awareness among frontline personnel while reinforcing… [Read More]
Mental Health in India: 197 Million People Need Help – What’s Missing
India faces a mounting mental health crisis, with nearly 197 million people—about one in seven—living with some form of mental disorder, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Depression and anxiety alone affect over 90 million individuals, yet access to professional support remains extremely limited, leaving a significant portion of the population without adequate… [Read More]
£X Funding to Help Residents in Brighton & Hove and West Sussex Into Work
West Sussex County Council, in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council, has secured a £15.6 million grant from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to deliver the Connect to Work programme. This new employment initiative, rolling out across England and Wales, aims to help up to 100,000 people nationally, including 3,950 residents in… [Read More]
EIB Provides €25 Million Loan to Patria Bank to Support Romanian Businesses
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided a €25 million loan to Romania-based Patria Bank SA to expand financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Mid-Cap companies across the country. The funding aims to make credit more accessible to businesses, particularly in less-developed regions, helping to strengthen economic cohesion and support inclusive growth. A… [Read More]
€100 Billion for Social Programs: Key Details and Controversies
Mental Health Europe, together with the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) and over 50 European networks, has issued a joint statement expressing serious concerns over the European Commission’s proposal for the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034. The statement, titled “100 billion Euros for social spending? The devil’s in the… [Read More]
New £1M Funding Establishes Connector Project for Transatlantic Slavery Studies
National Museums Liverpool has been awarded a £1 million grant to launch the Connector project, a new initiative aimed at establishing an international network for researching the history and legacies of transatlantic slavery. The project seeks to bring together museums, heritage organisations, universities, creative practitioners, businesses, and community groups from around the world to foster… [Read More]
Global Gateway Forum: Finland Highlights Strengths in Green and Digital Transition
Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will attend the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels on 9–10 October 2025, an event gathering high-level representatives from EU Member States, partner countries, financial institutions, and the private sector. The forum highlights the European Global Gateway strategy, which aims to strengthen modern and secure links in… [Read More]
