The Insidious Effort to Privatize Public Airwaves | EFFector 37.5

School is almost out for summer! You know what that means? Plenty of time to catch up on the latest digital rights news! Don’t worry, though—EFF has you covered with our EFFector newsletter. This edition of EFFector explains why efforts to privatize public airwaves would harm American TV viewers; goes over how KOSA is still a very […]

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The Impact of Higher Tariffs and Living Costs on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Real-World Examples and Data

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are facing significant challenges due to rising tariffs and the escalating cost of living. These factors are straining their operations, reducing profitability, and threatening their survival. Tariffs: Increased Costs and Narrower Margins SMEs often operate with tighter margins compared to larger corporations, making them more vulnerable to external economic shocks. […]

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New York City Pension System Completes $5 Billion Private Equity Sale to Blackstone

New York, May 2025 – The New York City Retirement Systems has finalized a $5 billion sale of a portion of its private equity portfolio to Blackstone Inc., marking one of the largest limited partner (LP)-led secondary transactions ever completed with a single buyer. The transaction is part of a broader strategic realignment of the […]

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Sanctions relief for Syria offers ‘powerful message of hope,’ says UN migration agency

After more than a decade of conflict and severe economic stagnation, lifting the punitive measures will encourage long-term recovery and peacebuilding in Syria, Amy Pope, IOM Director-General, said in a statement. “The lifting of sanctions sends a powerful message of hope to millions of displaced Syrians, both within the country and across the region,” she said. […]

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Financial Inclusion in the Startup Ecosystem: Unlocking Innovation Through Low-Bureaucracy Funding

Introduction Financial inclusion is often discussed in the context of individual access to banking and credit, but its impact on startups is just as critical—if not more so. While major corporations benefit from established investment channels, emerging businesses face overwhelming barriers, especially in regions with rigid financial systems and excessive bureaucratic hurdles. A no-frills, low-bureaucracy […]

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JP Morgan Chase Leads $7.1B Financing for Oracle-Leased AI Data Center in Abilene, Texas

JP Morgan Chase is spearheading a substantial $7.1 billion financing package for a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) data center in Abilene, Texas. This facility, leased to Oracle, is a pivotal component of the Stargate project—a $500 billion initiative aimed at bolstering the United States’ AI infrastructure.(Financial Times) Project Overview The Abilene data center is being […]

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German Consumer Group Fails in Bid to Halt Meta’s AI Training Using User Posts

A German consumer rights organization, Verbraucherzentrale NRW, has been unsuccessful in its attempt to secure a court injunction preventing Meta Platforms from utilizing Facebook and Instagram user posts to train its artificial intelligence (AI) models. The Cologne court ruled against the injunction, allowing Meta to proceed with its plans within the European Union .(Reuters) Meta […]

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European Insurers Face $3.5 Billion in Losses from Devastating Los Angeles Wildfires

May 25, 2025 The recent wildfires that swept through Los Angeles have left a trail of destruction—and a multi-billion dollar financial toll on the global insurance industry. European insurers, in particular, are reporting substantial losses, with ten of the continent’s major companies facing a collective hit of at least $3.5 billion, according to CNBC estimates. […]

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President Trump Delays 50% EU Tariffs Until July 9 Following Call With EU Commission President

May 26, 2025 President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he has agreed to postpone a planned 50% tariff on European Union imports until July 9, following what he described as a “very nice call” with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Speaking to reporters at Morristown Municipal Airport in New Jersey, Trump said von […]

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Argentina Approves $2.5 Billion Rio Tinto Lithium Project to Boost Global Battery Supply

Argentina has approved a $2.5 billion investment by Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto to expand its Rincon lithium project in the country’s Salta province. This marks the first project sanctioned under Argentina’s new Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI), introduced to attract foreign capital into the mining sector. (Buenos Aires Times, Rio Tinto) Project Overview […]

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