Author: Trainee Reporter

United States: The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a new antitrust lawsuit accusing Apple of illegally monopolizing the smartphone market. According to the DOJ and 16 state and district attorneys general, Apple raises prices for consumers and developers while increasing their dependence on Apple products. As per the statements of the officials, the parties claim that Apple ‘selectively’ restricts developers’ access to the phone and withholds critical features to prevent competition. The Department of Justice noted that, “Apple exercises its monopoly power to extract more money from consumers, developers, content creators, artists, publishers, small businesses, and merchants, among…

United States:  The government of the US has introduced a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. According to the reports the latest peace proposal calls for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages in the Gaza strip. Amid challenging conflict in the region, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a Middle Eastern tour, including a visit to Israel. In Saudi Arabia, Blinken stated that, “Well, in fact, we actually have a resolution that we put forward right now that’s before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an…

California: Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup, has live-streamed its first patient implanted with a chip playing online chess using his mind. Noland Arbaugh was the first person to receive a brain implant from Neuralink. He was paralysed below the shoulder after a diving accident. Arbaugh displayed technology’s capability by playing video games and chess using his thoughts. Musk’s firm first hosted a nine-minute video revealing the patient playing video games. The self-proclaimed fan of the X-Men Charles Xavier, is grateful for Neuralink’s technology, which revived his passion for gaming. In the video shown on social media X, Arbaugh stated that, “The…

United States: President Joe Biden has declared the toughest rules on vehicle exhaust emissions ever introduced in the United States to accelerate the auto industry’s evolution to electric cars. The new regulations include a goal to make 56 percent of new vehicles sold in the US electric by 2032. If this is implemented, it will be huge growth over the current level. Car makers were given a reprieve and the target was softened from last year’s draft. However, Biden’s administration still plans to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the latest laws will preclude 7…

Portugal: President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has appointed Luis Montenegro, leader of the centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD), as Portuguese new PM. The AD chief was invited to form a minority government. The Democratic Alliance won the snap general election against the incumbent Socialists. Montenegro constantly said that the party is ready to rule on its own and will not negotiate a wider formal contract to work together with the far-right Chega party. For the first time since the fall of a fascist dictatorship 50 years ago, Chega arose as a political force after a far-right party quadrupled its parliamentary representation. An…

Vietnam: The Communist Party has announced that Vietnam’s President Vo Van Thuong resigned after a year in office. This makes him the latest senior official to leave after being embroiled in an anti-corruption campaign. After the ruling party meeting, the government clarified that he violated party rules, which affected its reputation. Thuong’s resignation appears to be linked to corruption in his home province. Vo Van Thuong was appointed as president after another president was forced to resign due to corruption. The party leadership prioritised corruption as a severe issue that needs to be addressed. Changes in Vietnam’s administration are usually carefully…

France: The French competition authority has fined Google 250 million euros ($272 million) after breaching content licensing commitments with media firms. According to the French competition watchdog, the fines were imposed as part of further benchmarks in a 2019 lawsuit filed against the United States tech giant and other online platforms by organisations representing French magazines and newspapers. Media accused tech firms of making billions from their content without sharing revenue with aggregators. In 2021, Google was fined 500 million euros ($592 million) by the authority for failing to negotiate in good faith. The brawl appeared to be settled in…

Ireland: Leo Varadkar, Prime Minister of Ireland, has announced that he is giving up his position as PM and leader of the governing party of Fine Gael. Varadkar confirmed that he is stepping down from power at a press gathering outside the Government Buildings in Dublin, and defined his term as ‘the most fulfilling time of my life.’ The Taoiseach said that his reasons for resignation were ‘both personal and political.’ He considers that a new party leader will be better equipped to contest the next general elections. The PM stated that, “I believe this government can be re-elected and…

China: The government of China has condemned international critics for denouncing Hong Kong’s safeguarding national security law, Article 23. Hong Kong’s Legislative Council unanimously passed the Article 23 national security law. The new security law drew widespread criticism over its implications for fundamental freedoms in the Chinese-ruled city. The safeguarding national security law, which follows China’s National Security Law passed in 2020, penalises a range of crimes, including treachery, subversion, treason, theft of state secrets, foreign interference and espionage. The new ruling includes lengthy prison sentences for these crimes. According to Hong Kong’s leader John Lee, the new dimensions were…

United Kingdom: The government of the UK has announced that now fifteen synthetic opioids, along with fentanyl, are under strict control. This move aims to curb drug-related deaths in the UK and ensure that those who supply these substances face tougher penalties. Following guidance from the Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), 15 additional synthetic opioids, including 14 nitazenes, were listed as Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. These substances carry highly addictive and extremely harmful side effects, which pose a high risk of accidental overdose. It seems to be a widespread problem in other…