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News from 2025


IMF reviews economic challenges facing Vanuatu after earthquake and airline collapse

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded its 2025 Article IV Consultation with Vanuatu, endorsing the staff appraisal through a lapse-of-time procedure.


Meta launches Vibes for creating short-form AI-generated videos

Meta has introduced a new feature called Vibes, available as an early preview in the Meta AI app and on meta.ai.


Howden Re leaders discuss rising risks from ‘forever chemicals’ for European insurance

Wolfram-Ferdinand Shultz, Head of Casualty Treaty for Continental Europe at Howden Re, and Kalle Pohls, Head of Liability and Claims at Howden, have discussed the growing implications of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as...


US, Lao and Thai officials meet to strengthen cross-border crime prevention

Law enforcement officials from Laos, Thailand, and the United States met in Nongkhai Province, Thailand, from September 23-24, 2025, to strengthen regional cooperation against transnational crime.


HSBC and IBM achieve breakthrough in applying quantum computing to bond trading

HSBC and IBM have reported a significant advance in the use of quantum computing for financial services.


Stripe CEO on tort costs: 'Costs and compensation paid in the U.S. tort system reached over $529 billion'

Patrick Collison, CEO of Stripe, said that U.S. tort costs have surged to $529 billion in 2022, outpacing GDP growth and raising concerns about the personal injury sector's scale.


Macquarie Group pledges full repayment for Shield Master Fund investors

Macquarie Group has announced it will facilitate the repayment of 100% of the net capital invested in the Shield Master Fund by clients who invested through its wrap platform.


U.S. Embassy in Freetown schedules online auction of equipment and household goods

The U.S. Embassy in Freetown has announced an upcoming online auction of various items, including IT equipment, household furniture, appliances, bedding, and kitchen items.


NCUA stops using reputational risk in supervisory process following executive order

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has announced it will no longer use reputation risk or similar concepts in its examination and supervisory process.


Samsung launches TRUEBench benchmark for evaluating real-world AI productivity

Samsung Electronics has announced the launch of TRUEBench, a new benchmark developed by Samsung Research to assess AI productivity in real-world scenarios.


WTO prepares e-commerce agenda ahead of upcoming ministerial conference

WTO members are preparing to advance discussions on electronic commerce ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), scheduled for March 26-29, 2026, in Yaoundé, Cameroon.


U.S. sanctions six targets over North Korean arms sales linked to Burma

The United States has imposed sanctions on six targets involved in generating revenue for North Korea, specifically focusing on the procurement of military materiel for Burma’s military regime.


Jarad Madea discusses M&A trends and capital markets innovation at Monte Carlo conference

Jarad Madea, CEO of Howden Capital Markets and Advisory, discussed the evolving landscape of capital markets and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the reinsurance sector during an interview with Richard Banks of AM Best TV at the Rendez-Vous de...


U.S. consular officers to provide services in Tonga from November 4 to 7, appointments required

U.S. consular officers will visit Tonga from November 4 to 7, 2025, to provide services for American citizens.


Sustainability leaders recognized at annual awards organized by UOB

Eleven individuals and organizations were honored for their achievements in sustainable development at the 2025 Sustainability Impact Awards, held on September 25, 2025.


Meta expands teen account protections; launches support programs for US schools

Meta has announced that hundreds of millions of teens are now using Teen Accounts across Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger.


Warburg Pincus partners on new hyperscale data center project near Seoul

Warburg Pincus, in partnership with South Korean data center developer DC Connects and Seoul-based asset manager Wide Creek AMC, has acquired a greenfield site in Yongin City to build an 80-megawatt hyperscale data center.


Cambridge spinout Trismik raises £2.2m for AI model evaluation platform

Cambridge-based startup Trismik has secured £2.2 million in pre-seed funding to advance its efforts in making artificial intelligence testing more efficient and reliable.


Cambridge professors named fellows by Royal Academy of Engineering

Two researchers from the University of Cambridge have been elected as Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering.


U.S. Embassy introduces Visa Navigator tool for applicants in Germany

To assist individuals in Germany seeking information on applying for a U.S. visa or checking the status of an existing application, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates have introduced the Visa Navigator tool.