The tech industry is divided over the future of open-source AI, with Nvidia and Microsoft pushing for it while Anthropic and OpenAI argue against due to safety concerns. Meanwhile, social media giants settle lawsuits over addiction claims, and Google receives a $1bn EU fine for prioritizing its services.
US President Donald Trump threatens EU with tariffs in retaliation for $1 billion fine on Google, citing need for trade investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act.
The U.S. administration renewed tariffs on imports from over 60 countries, citing lax enforcement of forced labor bans. Key allies including Australia, New Zealand, the EU, China, Japan, and Latin American nations criticized the move as unjustified and protectionist.
President Donald Trump announced his administration will launch a Section 301 trade probe into the European Union, threatening 'substantial' tariffs. This action is in response to the EU's hefty fines against U.S. tech giants like Google, Apple, Meta, and Amazon, which Trump claims are 'ROBBING' American companies and taxpayers.
The U.S. renewed tariffs of 10-12.5% on over 60 allies, including Australia, New Zealand, the EU, and China, citing lax enforcement of forced labor bans. Affected nations criticized the move as unjustified, with some rejecting the forced labor claims.
The European Commission has announced preliminary findings under the Digital Services Act (DSA), stating TikTok fails to adequately protect children. The Commission recommends adjusting default settings for minors' accounts and warns of potential fines up to 6% of global annual revenue if concerns are not addressed. This follows a similar UK investigation.
China's Ministry of Commerce has added 14 entities from the European Union, including German defence giant Rheinmetall, to its export control list. This measure, effective immediately, prohibits the export of dual-use items and is a direct response to recent EU sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong firms over Russia.
Spain declared its first national emergency for wildfires, evacuating over 10,000 residents as an intense heatwave fuels destructive blazes. France also requested EU assistance for a major fire near Bordeaux, forcing 40,000 evacuations, highlighting southern Europe's escalating wildfire crisis.
The US has imposed tariffs of 10-12.5% on goods from several countries, including China, Japan, and the EU, citing forced labor practices. Experts view these actions as a pretext for President Trump's 'America-first' trade agenda, with another Section 301 investigation ongoing.
The United States imposed a fresh wave of tariffs late on Thursday against 60 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, India, and European Union member states, just hours before a temporary 10% blanket levy was set to expire.
President Trump has imposed new tariffs of 10-12.5% on over 80 countries, including the UK, EU, and Canada, citing forced labor. This action replaces an expiring global duty and faces immediate criticism from US allies and legal experts regarding presidential authority.
The European Union has blacklisted Russian drone manufacturers, including Denis Merzlikin's ASFPV (producer of Veterok drones) and the Gortenzia design bureau, along with defense enterprises Rotor and Signal, as part of its 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions for supporting Russian armed forces.
The United States imposed new tariffs on 60 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, India, and EU member states, shortly before a temporary 10% levy expired.
Donald Trump has imposed new tariffs of 10-12.5% on over 80 countries, including major allies, replacing an expiring global duty. Justified under the Trade Act of 1974 against forced labor, the move has drawn widespread criticism and legal challenge predictions from international partners and trade experts.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich has temporarily stepped aside after being included in the EU's 21st sanctions list related to Russia's 2022 Ukraine invasion. Deputy President Viswanathan Anand will serve as interim president, while Dvorkovich plans to legally challenge the sanctions.
The US has imposed tariffs on several countries, including China and EU members, with rates up to 12.5%, citing human rights abuses and distortive trade practices. This action is part of President Trump's "America-first" agenda, alongside an ongoing Section 301 investigation into excess industrial capacity.
EU members agreed to the 21st sanctions package against Russia after weeks of negotiations, targeting energy, financial services, crypto, and trade. The deal includes an LNG exemption for Greece and maintains the oil price cap.
The EU fined Google's parent company Alphabet €890 million for two Digital Markets Act violations: preferential treatment of its own products in search results and blocking Android developers from offering alternative payment options. Google has 60 days to comply or face further penalties.
Paramount Skydance's £80bn bid for Warner Brothers received conditional EU approval after commitments to end a film distribution joint venture. However, the deal faces significant challenges in the US, including a court-ordered pause and a preliminary injunction hearing, as well as potential intervention in the UK.
France has banned children under 15 from using social media, becoming the first EU country to implement such a blanket ban, driven by concerns over digital content's harmful effects. The legislation, a key initiative of President Macron, also prohibits mobile phones in high schools and is set to take effect in September, pending a constitutional review.
Andy Burnham, the new UK Prime Minister, faces the challenge of resetting UK-EU relations amidst domestic priorities and Brexit's economic impact. While initially focused on internal affairs, he may pursue closer European engagement, particularly on security and economic cooperation, potentially shifting Labour's red lines despite Eurosceptic opposition.
Moldova's parliament elected financier Vasile Tofan as prime minister by 53 votes to 21, approving his new government and reaffirming the country's pro-European Union mandate. Tofan, backed by President Sandu, replaces Alexandru Munteanu and pledges to revive the economy and advance EU membership by 2030.
EU foreign ministers approved a position paper labeling China a "critical long-term strategic challenge," accusing Beijing of amplifying security threats and enabling Russia's invasion of Ukraine, despite a prior "de-risking" policy and ongoing trade partnership. This new stance will shape future EU policy on investment and trade.
A Eurofound report reveals that 18.8% of jobs across the EU were vulnerable in 2021, defined by income inadequacy, employment insecurity, or lack of workplace rights. While vulnerability declined from 23.8% in 2014, rates vary significantly by country, with Spain highest at 29%. Women, young workers, and migrants are disproportionately affected, with education offering strong protection.
