Category: Finance

The Trump administration is trying to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs as part of a broader campaign to end what it calls “wokeness” in American education. As part of this rollback, the Justice Department announced in July 2025 that it would no longer “defend” the federal definition of Hispanic-Serving Institutions, or HSIs. These are […]

The ongoing federal shutdown has resulted in a pause on regular government data releases, meaning economic data has been in short supply of late. That has left market-watchers and monetary policymakers somewhat in the dark over key indicators in the U.S. economy. Fortunately, the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers is unaffected by the impasse […]

Tirana, 10 October 2025 — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has unveiled a €10 million financing package for Tirana Bank, designed to strengthen Albania’s financial sector and expand access to sustainable finance and trade opportunities. Structure of the Package The support consists of two key components: Strategic Importance The initiative is the […]

Video game giant Electronic Arts (EA) has agreed to be taken private in a record-breaking $55 billion all-cash acquisition by a consortium comprising Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), U.S. private equity firm Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, the investment firm led by Jared Kushner. Largest-Ever Gaming Buyout The deal, valued at $210 per share, […]

New York, 8 October 2025 — BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire Aligned Data Centers, in a potential transaction that could value the Texas-based operator at around $40 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. One of the Largest Data Center Deals If finalized, the acquisition would rank […]

Brussels, 9 October 2025 — Google has announced a landmark investment of €5 billion (US$5.8 billion) in Belgium to expand its artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure, marking one of the largest technology commitments in the country’s history. Expansion in Wallonia The investment will primarily support the growth of Google’s data centre campus in Saint-Ghislain, with […]

In today’s hot housing market, winning a bidding war can feel like a triumph. But my research shows it often comes with a catch: Homebuyers who win bidding wars tend to experience a “winner’s curse,” systematically overpaying for their new homes. I’m a real estate economist, and my colleagues and I analyzed nearly 14 million […]

The European Commission (EC) has announced a funding package of €1.1 billion to accelerate the uptake of artificial intelligence across key industries, part of its strategy to reduce reliance on U.S. and Chinese technologies and strengthen Europe’s digital sovereignty. Apply AI Strategy The initiative, branded the “Apply AI Strategy,” will channel resources into sectors including […]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, TD, has secured an additional €170 million in Budget 2026, bringing his Department’s overall allocation to €2.3 billion, a 9% year-on-year increase. The package includes €335 million in capital investment and €1.967 billion in current expenditure, aimed at strengthening the resilience, sustainability, and profitability of Ireland’s […]

Oaktree Capital Management, the distressed-debt giant overseeing about $200 billion in assets, is reshaping its investment strategy to capture opportunities from the rapid rise of artificial intelligence while steering clear of sectors most at risk of disruption. Focus on “Picks and Shovels” Rather than backing AI developers directly, Oaktree is concentrating on the infrastructure underpinning […]