Virgin Trains has cleared a major hurdle in its bid to launch cross-Channel services, after Britain’s rail regulator approved its application to share Eurostar’s London depot — a move that could end Eurostar’s three-decade monopoly and deliver greater choice for passengers. Regulator’s Decision On 30 October 2025, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) confirmed […]
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Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council, the UN’s top relief official Tom Fletcher said “women and girls are being raped, people being mutilated and killed – with utter impunity,” adding: “We cannot hear the screams, but – as we sit here today – the horror is continuing.” After overrunning the Sudanese Armed Forces’ (SAF) last […]
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American International Group (AIG) and Canadian investment firm Onex Corporation have agreed to acquire specialty insurer Convex Group in a transaction valued at $7 billion, marking one of the largest insurance deals of 2025. Deal Structure Onex announced it will take a 63% controlling stake in Convex, while AIG will acquire 35%, with the remaining […]
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Strengthening Bilateral Ties Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, unveiled the report “Beyond Barriers – Deepening Canada-Ireland Trade and Investment” at Iveagh House in Dublin on 30 October 2025. The study underscores the thriving economic relationship between the two nations, which has grown significantly in recent years and was further […]
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Disputed Results and Opposition Defiance Cameroon’s political crisis deepened after opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary rejected the official results of the 12 October 2025 presidential election, vowing to resist until “final victory” against President Paul Biya. The Constitutional Council declared Biya the winner with 53.66% of the vote, extending his rule into a 49th year, […]
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Business South Africa pushes export diversificationAt a trade symposium in Midrand, South Africa announced plans to expand its export footprint beyond traditional partners. Buyers from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, and Malawi engaged with South African firms in sectors ranging from agro-processing to ICT, underscoring the urgency of intra-African trade growth tralac trade law centre. Nigeria’s […]
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Ireland’s Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has announced the allocation of €4.4 million from the proceeds of crime to 42 community safety projects nationwide, marking the largest distribution yet under the Community Safety Fund. Redirecting Crime Proceeds to Communities The Community Safety Fund, established in 2022, channels assets seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and […]
Continue ReadingOn 30 September 2025, more than 1,600 people took part in a high-level conference under the heading Climate action that works for you: an agenda for competitiveness, prosperity and resilience. The event gathered policymakers, business leaders, and civil society to reflect on current climate policies and to further boost learning and cooperation for increased impact. […]
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The UK government has confirmed a record £55 billion investment in research and development (R&D), aimed at accelerating scientific breakthroughs, driving economic growth, and strengthening the country’s global leadership in innovation. The funding, announced on 30 October 2025, will run through to 2029/30 and represents the largest-ever commitment by the Department for Science, Innovation and […]
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Nicholas Koumjian, head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), told the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee that “the frequency and severity of international crimes in Myanmar have escalated.” Warning that civilians of all ethnicities are bearing the brunt, he said: “We have amassed evidence that persons detained by the military authorities have been […]
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