The European Space Agency is facing scrutiny after online claims of a massive data leak prompted an internal investigation that has so far pointed to a far more contained security incident.
The European Space…
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU), in partnership with ProCredit Bank Skopje, are boosting access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across North Macedonia.
Under the agreement signed today, the EBRD will provide ProCredit Bank Skopje with an unfunded risk-sharing guarantee of up to €25 million. The guarantee will cover up to 50 per cent of the credit risk on new loans issued by ProCredit and will therefore pave the way for up to €50 million in new MSME lending through this EBRD portfolio risk-sharing product.
The guarantee is backed by technical assistance and a first-loss counter-guarantee from the EU’s European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) programme. It targets underserved businesses, such as those led by women and young entrepreneurs, and rural MSMEs, aiming to foster inclusive economic development.
By sharing part of the risk, the EBRD and EU are helping ProCredit to strengthen its resilience and expand lending. The portfolio risk-sharing broadens the spectrum of EBRD products in the market, with an innovative solution designed to reduce risk for the EBRD’s partner financial institutions and to address financing gaps for MSMEs.
Fatih Türkmenoğlu, EBRD Head of North Macedonia, said: “This partnership with ProCredit Bank Skopje, supported by the European Union, marks an important step forward in widening access to finance for underserved businesses across North Macedonia. By sharing risk and blending innovative financial tools with targeted technical assistance, we are helping more MSMEs invest confidently in their growth and resilience. This is the kind of inclusive and sustainable financing the EBRD is committed to advancing throughout the Western Balkans.”
“This initiative, implemented through a portfolio guarantee scheme, enhances support for MSMEs in North Macedonia and represents a significant step towards their further development. It reaffirms our longstanding cooperation with the EBRD, supported by the EU, as well as our long-term commitment to fostering the development of the real economy. Through this guarantee, ProCredit Bank can expand lending to market segments that tend to face limited access to finance – in particular, businesses led by women and young entrepreneurs, as well as rural micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. We believe that this approach will contribute to strengthening their resilience and will support sustainable, long-term growth,” said Milan Damchevski, Management Board member of ProCredit Bank.
The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in North Macedonia, with more than €3 billion invested in supporting the country’s sustainable development, infrastructure, private-sector growth and regional integration.
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Kate Stevens, who had travelled from her home in Canterbury, Kent, was with her son who lives in in Enfield, east London.
She said they were both were denied entry.
Ms Stevens said she bought the voucher in November and Jacob had been wanting to see the show for some time.
She said: “[My son] was standing next to me and then I could see other people being told and I went up to somebody, and I showed him my ticket, and I was like: ‘Does that mean us as well?’ And he said: ‘Unfortunately, yes.’
“[My son] just burst into tears and then got really upset and said: ‘I just want to go home, I just don’t want to be here.’”
Getty ImagesThe organisers of a Jurassic Park-themed experience in south west London have apologised after people with discounted tickets were denied entry.
On Monday 30 people were…
30 December 2025
Clare County Council’s Arts Office will present Fiona Faulkes’ ‘Song and Dance’ exhibition at Clare Museum from January 12 through February 14, 2026.
…
Toulouse, France, 30 December 2025 – China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited (CALC) has signed a firm order with Airbus for 30 A320neo Family aircraft to satisfy strong demand for the aircraft from its customer base.
The agreement is the fifth order with Airbus, bringing the total number of Airbus aircraft ordered by CALC to 282, of which 203 are A320neo Family aircraft.
“Our enduring partnership with Airbus has been central to CALC’s growth,” said Mike Poon, Executive Director and CEO of CALC. “This latest order reflects our shared vision for innovation and sustainable aviation. We are proud to grow alongside Airbus and to continue providing our airline customers worldwide with high-value, modern aircraft solutions.”
“CALC has been a long time valued partner of Airbus with its first order placed in 2012, and it’s a privilege to see another repeat order,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business. “CALC’s deep understanding of the market and what its customers demand is a solid endorsement of the A320neo Family. This commitment reinforces their strength as a lessor with the most efficient, versatile, and in-demand single-aisle aircraft for their customers.”
The A320 Family is the world’s most popular single-aisle aircraft having won more than 19,000 orders globally. The Family includes the largest member, the A321neo offering unparalleled range and performance. The Family offers at least 20% fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximising passenger comfort with one of the widest single-aisle cabins in the sky.
As with all Airbus aircraft, the A320 Family is able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.
#CALC @Airbus #A320Family
Lucy AshtonSouth Yorkshire political reporter
Jane BakerHundreds of NHS staff from South Yorkshire have taken part in a new trial aimed at improving the quality of their sleep.
More than 300…
As part of the trial, staff were given a specially designed pillow and asked to fill in a detailed survey before later speaking to sleep posture expert James Leinhardt.
Mr Leinhardt has spent 15 years in the NHS working with patients with complex…