EU Sets 90% Emissions Cut Target by 2040 Amid Policy Compromises The European Union has agreed to a legally binding target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% from 1990 levels by 2040, marking a major step towards its net-zero ambitions. The deal, reached early Wednesday between negotiators from EU member states and the European Parliament, also allows the bloc to purchase foreign carbon credits covering 5% of the planned reductions. A Balanced but Weaker Climate Agreement While the agreement positions Europe ahead of most major economies in climate ambition, it falls short of the European Commission’s original plan and…
Author: Kanika Sharma
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Bitcoin Faces Turbulent 2025 as Market Correlation with Equities Deepens Bitcoin’s rollercoaster year of record highs and steep sell-offs is drawing to a close with the world’s largest cryptocurrency at risk of posting its first annual decline since 2022. Despite early gains driven by optimism around U.S. President Donald Trump’s crypto-friendly policies, a series of policy shocks and market corrections have left traders facing a volatile end to 2025. From Record Peaks to Market Plunge Bitcoin rose sharply in the first quarter, buoyed by a surge of institutional and retail investment and expectations of looser regulation under Trump. It reached…
Europe Tightens Grip on Big Tech with Wave of Antitrust and Content Rule Actions European regulators have intensified their scrutiny of major technology companies, launching a string of investigations and imposing hefty fines over competition and digital content practices. The latest actions reflect the European Union’s continued efforts to rein in market dominance and enforce compliance under its growing suite of tech regulations. Google Faces Multiple EU and UK Probes Alphabet’s Google remains a key target of European antitrust authorities. On 9 December, the European Commission opened a new investigation into whether the company’s use of online content from publishers…
Paramount Launches $108 Billion Hostile Bid Against Netflix for Warner Bros Discovery Paramount Skydance has intensified Hollywood’s biggest corporate standoff by launching a hostile $108.4 billion bid for Warner Bros Discovery, aiming to outmanoeuvre Netflix’s earlier offer and establish a global media giant capable of rivaling the streaming leader. Paramount Ups the Stakes Against Netflix The new bid, announced on Monday, arrives just days after Netflix secured a $72 billion equity deal for Warner Bros Discovery’s entertainment assets, including its film and TV studios, HBO, and streaming platforms. Paramount’s counteroffer, however, significantly raises the stakes, pledging $18 billion more in…
NASA Astronaut Jonny Kim Returns to Earth After 245 Days in Orbit NASA astronaut Jonny Kim has safely departed the International Space Station (ISS) alongside Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky. The crew left the orbiting outpost aboard the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft on Tuesday, 9 December, marking the end of their long-duration mission. Journey Back to Earth The Soyuz spacecraft undocked from the station’s Prichal module, beginning the trio’s journey home after more than eight months in orbit. Their mission covered a wide range of scientific and operational activities aboard the ISS, contributing to ongoing international research in microgravity.…
Meta to Offer EU Users Choice on Personalised Ads Under Digital Markets Act Meta has agreed to provide Facebook and Instagram users across the European Union with greater control over how their personal data is used for advertising, the European Commission announced on Monday. The move aligns with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which seeks to ensure fair competition and stronger consumer protection in the digital economy. New Privacy Options Coming in January According to the Commission, Meta will introduce a system that allows users to make an explicit choice. They can either consent to share all their personal…
U.S. Government Equity Plans Exclude Major Defence Contractors, Says Boeing Executive The U.S. government’s plan to take equity stakes in strategic industries will not extend to major defence contractors, according to Steve Parker, Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. Speaking on Saturday at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, Parker clarified that the policy mainly targets smaller companies within the defence supply chain. Focus on Smaller Suppliers Parker explained that the equity investment approach is designed to support smaller suppliers rather than large, established firms. “It really only applies to the supply chain,…
EU Opens Antitrust Probe into Meta Over WhatsApp AI Policy European Union regulators have launched an antitrust investigation into Meta Platforms over concerns that its new artificial intelligence features in WhatsApp could unfairly restrict competitors. Officials warned they may temporarily suspend the rollout of these tools, underscoring Europe’s increasingly firm stance on Big Tech regulation. The move, first reported by Reuters and the Financial Times, marks the latest in a series of actions targeting large technology firms such as Amazon and Google. EU authorities aim to encourage innovation while curbing the growing dominance of digital giants. Scrutiny Over WhatsApp’s AI…
U.S. Senators Propose Bill to Block Easing of China AI Chip Restrictions A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced legislation on Thursday seeking to prevent the Trump administration from loosening export controls that restrict China’s access to advanced artificial intelligence chips from Nvidia and AMD. The proposal, known as the SAFE CHIPS Act, underscores growing concerns in Washington about the national security implications of allowing Beijing greater access to cutting-edge American technology. SAFE CHIPS Act Aims to Preserve Export Limits The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Pete Ricketts and Democrat Chris Coons, would prohibit the U.S. Commerce Department from approving…
Russia Bans Roblox, Citing “Extremist” and “LGBT Propaganda” Content Russia has blocked access to the popular U.S.-based gaming platform Roblox, accusing it of spreading “extremist materials” and “LGBT propaganda.” The move marks the latest in a series of crackdowns by Moscow on Western digital platforms it deems harmful or in violation of domestic laws. Watchdog Cites Moral Concerns Over Platform Content Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, announced the ban on Wednesday, claiming that Roblox contained “inappropriate content that can negatively impact the spiritual and moral development of children.” The decision follows similar actions taken against foreign platforms accused of breaching Russia’s…