Europol Seizes €91 Million in Fake Goods in Operation OPSON: From Fake Olive Oil to Low-Quality Tuna

Introduction In a major crackdown on counterfeit goods, Europol has reported the seizure of fake products worth more than €91 million as part of its annual Operation OPSON. The operation targeted a wide range of counterfeit and substandard goods, including fake olive oil dyed with chlorophyll, low-quality tuna sold as premium, and other products that […]

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Ushering In the New US Administration Trade Doctrine: Navigating Global Commerce in a New Era of Protectionism and Trade Wars

Introduction As the dust settles on Donald Trump’s return to the White House, one of the most significant consequences of his presidency could be felt in global trade. Trump’s “America First” trade agenda, characterized by aggressive tariffs, renegotiation of trade deals, and a strong emphasis on economic nationalism, is poised to reshape international commerce once […]

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EFF Lawsuit Discloses Documents Detailing Government’s Social Media Surveillance of Immigrants

Despite rebranding a federal program that surveils the social media activities of immigrants and foreign visitors to a more benign name, the government agreed to spend more than $100 million to continue monitoring people’s online activities, records disclosed to EFF show. Thousands of pages of government procurement records and related correspondence show that the Department […]

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Trickle-Down Economics and Its Role in Trump’s Economic Strategy: An Analysis

Introduction Trickle-down economics is a theory that suggests policies aimed at benefiting the wealthy, corporations, and high-income earners will eventually result in broader economic benefits for society. Proponents argue that reducing taxes and regulations for businesses and affluent individuals leads to increased investment, job creation, and economic growth, with the benefits eventually “trickling down” to […]

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Banking on the Future: How Generative AI Is Set to Revolutionize Financial Services

Preparing for an AI Future: How Banks and Fintech Startups Can Capitalize on Generative AI to Provide and Unlock Values As the financial services sector braces for an AI-driven future, Generative AI (Gen AI) is emerging as a transformative force with the potential to reshape banking operations and redefine customer experiences. With the global financial […]

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Fuel Theft Crisis Drives Limerick Petrol Station Owner to Breaking Point

Fuel thefts at two Limerick petrol stations have reached alarming levels, with €40,000 in annual losses leaving one local business owner at his wit’s end. Shane Gleeson, who owns the Inver Petrol Stations located at Hurlers Cross in Castletroy’s Dublin Road and Punches Cross in Limerick, has been dealing with repeat thefts that threaten the […]

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Japan’s “Akiya” Homes: An Unlikely Opportunity Amid Housing Oversupply

While many parts of the world grapple with soaring housing prices and severe shortages, Japan is facing a dramatic housing paradox: an oversupply of homes. As of 2023, Japan has more than 9 million “akiyas” — empty, abandoned, and often decaying houses scattered across the country. These properties, many of which have been left empty […]

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Gevo Secures $1.46 Billion DOE Loan for World’s First Net-Zero Aviation Fuel Plant

In a landmark development for both the aviation and clean energy sectors, Gevo, a leading renewable fuels company, has secured a $1.46 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to fund the construction of the world’s first net-zero aviation fuel plant. This move is set to significantly accelerate the production of sustainable aviation […]

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EFF to Second Circuit: Electronic Device Searches at the Border Require a Warrant

EFF, along with ACLU and the New York Civil Liberties Union, filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit urging the court to require a warrant for border searches of electronic devices, an argument EFF has been making in the courts and Congress for nearly a decade. The case, […]

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Rebuilding beyond bricks: World Urban Forum focuses on housing, community support in war-torn cities

The penultimate day of the Forum’s twelfth biennial session, or WUF12, examined the situation in the Gaza Strip, where the urban fabric and urban life in the enclave are in ruins following a year of intense bombardment and the war is now affecting the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria. Participants grappled with all aspects of […]

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