Category: World

WELLINGTON — The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has proposed reducing minimum capital requirements for deposit-taking institutions, following criticism that current regulations have constrained credit availability and increased borrowing costs. The proposal, announced as part of a broader review of the country’s capital framework, aims to strike a balance between financial system stability and […]

WASHINGTON — First Lady Melania Trump has announced the launch of the Presidential AI Challenge, a nationwide initiative inviting students from kindergarten through 12th grade to develop artificial intelligence (AI) projects aimed at solving community challenges. The contest, unveiled on August 26, 2025, encourages young participants to explore the practical applications of AI in areas […]

DUBLIN — Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris TD paid tribute to Ireland’s Defence Forces veterans during a visit on 26 August to the headquarters of the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) at Brú na bhFiann. Harris commended ONE’s longstanding support for ex-service members, highlighting its role in providing accommodation for homeless veterans […]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom for C-17 Globemaster III Aircraft Sustainment Support, valued at an estimated $861 million, the Pentagon confirmed Tuesday. The proposed package includes contractor logistics support, engine components, spare parts, software, technical documentation, and engineering services to maintain the operational […]

WASHINGTON — In a significant policy shift, the Trump administration has indicated that the United States may contribute intelligence, surveillance, and air defense assets to support a European-led peacekeeping framework in Ukraine, contingent on a future peace agreement with Russia. The announcement marks a departure from President Donald Trump’s earlier stance rejecting any U.S. involvement […]

Quasi-Formal Intervention and Arbitration in Governance: A Path to Resolving Intergovernmental Disputes In modern governance, intergovernmental disputes are inevitable—particularly in systems where executive authority intersects with independent institutions. While courts offer a definitive legal remedy, relying solely on judicial intervention can be slow, adversarial, and disruptive to public trust and institutional stability. Quasi-formal intervention and […]

The U.S. Department of State, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK), in partnership with Mandiant, co-hosted a  forum in Tokyo on August 26 for over 130 attendees representing the trilateral governments and relevant industry partners including,  freelance work platforms, payment service providers, […]

In his office in the Netherlands, Professor Han Wösten holds up a hard sponge-like block for show. It is a material he made in 2012 using the intricate rooting network of fungi. He has bold predictions about the potential of this stuff. “Ten years from now, we should have the first fungal buildings,” said Wösten, a professor […]

Curated Developments Across Business, Security, and Politics Business & Macro Japan Commits $5.5 Billion in Loans to AfricaJapan pledged $5.5 billion in loans to African countries this week, reinforcing its position as a dependable development partner. The move comes as Western powers like the US and UK scale back foreign aid, creating a vacuum Japan […]