Dublin – 30 June 2025 – Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has confirmed the continued necessity of Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI) following the publication of its third statutory review under Section 24 of the HBFI Act. The review assessed HBFI’s relevance in today’s market conditions and its effectiveness in fulfilling its mandate to support […]
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Speaking at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, High Commissioner Volker Türk asked Member States whether enough was being done to protect people from the escalating impacts of climate change. “Are we taking the steps needed to protect people from climate chaos, safeguard their futures and manage natural resources in ways that respect human rights […]
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Atlanta – Home Depot has announced a $5.5 billion acquisition of GMS Inc., a leading specialty building products distributor, through its subsidiary SRS Distribution. The move significantly strengthens Home Depot’s presence in the professional contractor market. The deal is aimed at accelerating Home Depot’s strategy to grow its B2B business, particularly among digital-first professional customers […]
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Berlin – The German government has announced plans to increase defense spending, in part by reducing funding for international development cooperation. The move comes as Germany works to meet its NATO commitment of spending 2% of GDP on defense amid growing global security concerns. To support this shift, the federal budget includes significant cuts to […]
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St. Louis, MO – Ten individuals have been indicted in a racketeering (RICO) conspiracy involving a series of violent crimes and high-value vehicle thefts across eastern Missouri and southern Illinois, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri announced. Dubbed “the Strikers,” the group is accused of burglarizing nearly 20 auto dealerships between […]
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The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have unveiled a new €5 billion flexible guarantee, designed to unlock up to €10 billion in investments in clean energy, infrastructure, and SME financing across key regions outside the EU. Announced at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, the initiative is part of the […]
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China Faces Growing Limits in Africa’s Fragile StatesChina’s transactional diplomacy in Africa is under increasing strain. While Beijing continues its policy of noninterference and regime agnosticism—working with any stable government regardless of its political structure—growing instability is testing this approach. A May 2025 report from the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce warned that political volatility […]
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has announced a €2.3 million investment to improve cancer services across the south west of Ireland, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional healthcare delivery. The funding will be directed toward enhancing diagnostic capacity, expanding treatment services, and increasing staffing levels in key oncology units. The investment is expected […]
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Loneliness is linked to approximately 100 deaths every hour – more than 871,000 deaths annually. By contrast, strong social connections are associated with better health and longer life, the UN health agency said on Monday. WHO defines social connection as the ways in which people relate to and interact with one another. Loneliness is the […]
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June 30, Paris – A major cryptocurrency investment fraud ring accused of laundering €460 million ($540 million) has been dismantled in Spain, according to Europol. The operation was led by Spanish police, with support from law enforcement agencies in France, Estonia, and the United States. A total of five individuals were arrested—three in the Canary […]
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