Author: Solomon Alaka

Minister Jerry Buttimer Launches Stakeholder Consultation for New Community and Voluntary Sector Strategy

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On 3 July 2025, Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, announced the launch of a stakeholder consultation to inform the development of a new Government strategy supporting Ireland’s community and voluntary sector. 📍 Strategic Continuity and RenewalThe initiative builds on the existing strategy, Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities 2019–2024, which […]

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‘A spirit of oneness’: Cooperatives cultivating peace in South Sudan

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“Cooperatives are a system that enables the South Sudanese to improve their livelihoods, but at the same time also contributes to the economy… this is the only way for South Sudan to move out of poverty,” said Louis Bagare project manager of cooperatives at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in South Sudan. He was speaking […]

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Ireland and UK Ministers Meet to Safeguard €2.5 Billion Weekly Trade, Strengthen Future Cooperation and Shape Strategic Partnership

Solomon AlakaLeave a Comment on Ireland and UK Ministers Meet to Safeguard €2.5 Billion Weekly Trade, Strengthen Future Cooperation and Shape Strategic Partnership

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, met yesterday in Dublin with UK Minister of State for Europe, North Americas and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty MP, to advance bilateral cooperation under the UK–Ireland Joint Statement 2030 framework. The meeting reflected a continued strengthening of relations between Ireland and the UK, as […]

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With sustainable development under threat, Sevilla summit rekindles hope and unity

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“The human consequences of rising debt burdens, escalating trade tensions and steep cuts to official development assistance have been brought into sharp relief this week,” she told the closing session of the pivotal gathering, amid sizzling temperatures across southern Spain. Multilateralism at work But against that backdrop, the conference has delivered a strong response – […]

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Children’s lives ‘turned upside down’ by wars across Middle East, North Africa, warns UNICEF

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Alarmingly, 110 million children in the region live in countries affected by war, with homes, schools and health facilities damaged or destroyed in fighting. “A child’s life is being turned upside down the equivalent of every five seconds due to the conflicts in the region,” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East […]

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Global Dementia Crisis: Unpaid Caregiving Emerges as the Hidden Backbone of Support, with U.S. Costs Alone Reaching $224 Billion

Solomon AlakaLeave a Comment on Global Dementia Crisis: Unpaid Caregiving Emerges as the Hidden Backbone of Support, with U.S. Costs Alone Reaching $224 Billion

July 3, 2025 — As dementia rates surge worldwide, a growing body of research reveals that the true cost of care far exceeds official health spending figures — driven largely by the unpaid labor of family and friends. While governments allocate billions to treat and manage dementia, informal caregiving now represents the silent backbone of […]

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The Sevilla Commitment: A vital step to rebuild trust in global cooperation

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Activists, many from the Global South, attending the talks in Spain, are calling for greater leadership and commitment from wealthier nations to help address long-standing structural inequalities. The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) carries strong symbolic weight, reflected in the agreed priorities of the Sevilla Commitment. United Cities and Local Governments Paula […]

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Over £3 Million Awarded to Advance Brain Injury Technologies by UK NIHR

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The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has awarded over £3 million to fund 35 innovative medical technology projects targeting the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of acquired brain injury (ABI). Awarded through the Invention for Innovation FAST 4 scheme, the projects will run for 6 to 12 months and focus on conditions including […]

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EU forest fire support in action as summer heat intensifies

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As wildfires begin to affect multiple countries across Europe, the EU’s prepositioned fire firefighters have already begun to battle the flames on the ground. In Greece, firefighters from Bulgaria have worked alongside their Greek counterparts in Halkidiki to battle fires this week. Romanian firefighters stationed in southern France have also assisted local French teams in […]

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Contractors to Pay $1.37 Million Over Substandard Runway Work at Massachusetts Air National Guard Base

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Three firms have agreed to pay a combined $1.37 million to resolve allegations that they submitted or caused the submission of false claims related to the rehabilitation of Runway 2-20 at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Massachusetts, home to the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. The settling companies are: All three admitted […]

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