Tánaiste Simon Harris Inaugurates Roscommon’s Modern Civil Defence Headquarters

On April 13, 2025, Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris officially opened the new €2.6 million Civil Defence Headquarters in Roscommon. Located at the Ballybroghan Business Park, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to enhance the operational capabilities of Civil Defence volunteers in the region. Facility Features and Significance The headquarters offers comprehensive amenities, including: […]

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Myanmar Earthquake Relief Blocked by Military: UN Urges Immediate Action

The United Nations has condemned Myanmar’s military junta for obstructing humanitarian aid following the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025. The earthquake resulted in over 3,500 deaths and left millions in urgent need of assistance. Military Obstruction of Aid Efforts Despite a declared ceasefire on April 2, the military […]

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Surging Copper Demand: AI and Clean Energy Spark 70% Global Surge in Demand

Global copper demand is projected to surge by 70%, exceeding 50 million tons annually by 2050. This escalation is primarily driven by the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), expansion of data centers, and the global shift towards clean energy technologies. Key Drivers of Copper Demand Projected Demand and Supply Challenges BHP projects global copper demand […]

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Avanti’s Digital Edge: Winning for Customers, Partners, and Growth | Blog

Can loans to low-income customers be delivered fully digitally, with no people or paper involved, while still protecting customer interests and maintaining portfolio quality? Enter x-techs. A digital-first MFI built for scale Avanti Finance (a member of CGAP’s ABERA cohort) is a digital-first non-banking financial company that aims to make financial services affordable and accessible […]

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Myanmar quake: Airstrikes persist as UN pushes aid efforts

Despite the military’s announcement of a ceasefire, attacks have continued across the country, exacerbating an already dire situation, UN human rights chief Volker Türk warned on Friday. “In the days following the deadly earthquake that tore through central Myanmar last week, the Myanmar military continued operations and attacks, including airstrikes – some of which were […]

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Key Regulatory Developments for AI in Finance | Blog

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not a novel concept in finance; so, what is driving renewed interest in addressing regulatory gaps around the technology? A straightforward answer is that the rapid pace of AI developments requires both proactive and adaptive responses from multiple country authorities and intergovernmental bodies. Currently, there are global variations in the scope […]

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Countries reach historic deal to cut shipping emissions

The framework – agreed during the just-concluded meeting of the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee – aims for net-zero emissions from the sector by 2050 and will be formally adopted in October before coming into force in 2027. They will apply to large ocean-going vessels over 5,000 gross tonnage, which collectively […]

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Bringing Resilience to the Table to Achieve Development Goals | Blog

The global risk landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, posing significant threats to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As extreme weather, macroeconomic shocks, conflict, and other risks intensify and intertwine, they can create ripple effects that amplify existing vulnerabilities and put both human and development progress in peril. People living in poverty bear […]

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Savings and investments union: better financial opportunities for EU citizens and businesses

  The Commission has adopted a new strategy to channel savings into productive investments. It seeks to increase EU citizens’ participation in capital markets with broader investment options and improved financial literacy, fostering their wealth and boosting the EU economy.  About 70% of household savings in the EU – worth €10 trillion – are held […]

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AI’s Promise: A New Era for Financial Inclusion | Blog

Artificial intelligence (AI) will fundamentally change the financial sector for years to come. The integration of AI technologies – such as machine learning, natural language processing, generative AI (GenAI), and advanced data analytics – will enable financial institutions to optimize their operations, enhance customer experiences, develop innovative products, and better manage risks. AI is already […]

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