UK Government deploys Royal Navy to support disaster relief efforts for hurricane-hit Jamaica

Communities in Jamaica affected by Hurricane Melissa will receive targeted support from HMS Trent, which sailed to storm-damaged Falmouth today with specialist personnel and equipment.   HMS Trent, a British-built Offshore Patrol Vessel, carries a 75 strong crew, including specialist engineers who will deploy ashore to provide technical expertise in support of recovery efforts. Their work […]

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Extreme heat is driving up property prices in Spain’s cooler northern regions – new study

In August 2025, Spain suffered its worst heatwave since records began. It reinforced the fact that climate change is no longer a distant threat – it is real and present, and is directly impacting our cities, our health… and property prices. Our recent study offers an eye-opening look at how increasing temperatures are impacting Spain’s […]

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Commission reports on the progress of aspiring EU members

  The Commission has adopted the 2025 enlargement reports, which offer a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by those that applied for EU membership. The reports also provide guidance on key reforms for each enlargement partner to meet on the path towards the EU. The reports cover Montenegro Albania Ukraine the Republic […]

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African continental brief: Business, Tech, Geopolitics, Security and Human Rights – 04/11/2025

Summary: Business sentiment and tech adoption are accelerating across Africa ahead of major investment and innovation forums, while geopolitics and security remain volatile from Sudan to Somalia. Human rights concerns intensify in Tanzania following contested elections and internet blackouts, as Sierra Leone steers the UN Security Council toward Africa-focused priorities. Business Tech Geopolitics Security Human […]

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Ireland Establishes Office of Veterans Affairs to Strengthen Support for Ex-Service Personnel

Summary: Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris TD has announced the creation of a dedicated Office of Veterans Affairs, fulfilling a key recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces and a commitment in the Programme for Government. The new office, based within the Department of Defence, will coordinate services and policies for Defence […]

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Federal Judges Compel Use of Contingency Funds; Millions Could See SNAP Benefits Mid Week

Judges Order Trump Administration to Tap Emergency Funds for SNAP Amid Shutdown Summary: Two federal judges have ordered the Trump administration to use emergency reserves to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown. The rulings ensure that food benefits for more than 42 million Americans will not be cut […]

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President Xi Jinping to Host Spain’s King Felipe VI in Beijing for Landmark State Visit

Summary: Chinese President Xi Jinping will host King Felipe VI of Spain in Beijing from November 10–13, 2025, marking the Spanish monarch’s first state visit to China since his accession in 2014 and the first by a Spanish king in 18 years. The visit is expected to strengthen the China–Spain comprehensive strategic partnership, with talks […]

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President Trump to Host Central Asian Leaders in Washington for High-Level Summit

Summary: U.S. President Donald Trump will host the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan in Washington on Thursday, November 6, 2025, for a C5+1 summit marking the forum’s tenth anniversary. The meeting is expected to focus on security, trade, critical minerals, and human rights, underscoring Washington’s renewed engagement with the region. Washington, D.C. […]

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Minister Foley Launches Landmark Report on Child Well-Being in Ireland

Summary: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley has launched a new Growing Up in Ireland report, distilling insights from over 300 studies on the lives of more than 28,500 children. The findings highlight both risks—such as bullying, family adversity, and rising screen time—and protective factors like strong relationships, safe communities, and structured activities. […]

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US and China Strike One-Year Trade Truce to Ease Tensions: Details Released

Busan, South Korea — The United States and China have agreed to a one-year trade truce, with both sides pledging measures to ease economic tensions that have strained relations between the world’s two largest economies. The accord, confirmed in a White House fact sheet, was finalized during a meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese […]

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