All articles tagged with #eu commission
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will attend Canadian PM Mark Carney’s address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg after an initial plan to skip due to Brussels commitments, with officials rearranging events to accommodate the appearance amid ongoing EU-Canada relations.
The European Commission will review Paramount's $24 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation, assessing Middle Eastern funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Qatar Investment Authority, and Abu Dhabi's L'imad Holding Co., alongside U.S. backers RedBird and LionTree. A Phase 1 deadline for this subsidy review is July 7, and the Commission must decide by July 14 whether to clear the deal or open a full investigation; the UK CMA is also launching a separate merger probe.
Magyar’s election as Hungary’s next prime minister signals a potential purge of Viktor Orbán’s Brussels influence, with pressure on allies like EU Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi and possible changes to Hungary’s Brussels representation (including the ambassadorial post of Bálint Ódor). The incoming government also hints at cutting state financing for MCC Brussels and the Foundation for a Civic Hungary, even as MCC says it will stay active in Brussels. Magyar has called for resignations and a broader regime change, while MCC benefited from a large MOL dividend just before the vote, raising questions about the future funding landscape for Orbán-aligned institutions.
With oil and gas prices rising amid the Iran–Israel war, several EU countries urge Brussels to deploy EU-wide emergency tools—such as price caps, subsidies, demand coordination and windfall taxes—while the European Commission emphasizes long-term plans to diversify supply and reduce demand. Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia are rallying for concrete, coordinated measures ahead of upcoming EU summits, a push that risks clashing with members who prefer market-led solutions and caution on emergency powers.
The EU Commission is drafting a controversial 'Omnibus' reform of the GDPR through a fast-track process, which critics argue would significantly weaken data protection principles, benefit big tech companies, and undermine fundamental rights, especially under the guise of 'simplification' and 'clarification.' The draft includes extensive changes such as narrowing the definition of personal data, limiting user rights, and facilitating AI training with personal data, raising concerns about legal validity and fundamental rights violations.
The Labor Party is on track to win the upcoming Norway election, amidst various international political developments including the EU Commission's stance on Israel's Gaza conflict and global autocrats' discussions on longevity. The article provides an overview of the political landscape and international relations.
The European Commission is questioning TikTok following concerns over its handling of political content during the Romanian presidential election, where ultranationalist candidate Călin Georgescu gained significant traction on the platform. Romanian authorities have reported irregularities in election campaigns on TikTok, prompting Bucharest to request an EU investigation. The situation has led to increased pressure on the Chinese-owned app to clarify its role in the election process.
Apple updates its App Store guidelines to comply with the EU commission's rulings, allowing music streaming apps in the EU to redirect users to external websites and permitting game emulators on its platforms worldwide. The changes come after Apple was fined for anti-competitive practices. However, developers are responsible for ensuring that the software offered in their apps complies with guidelines and laws.
The US Department of Justice is preparing to file a lawsuit against Apple, alleging antitrust violations related to the iPhone software and hardware features. This follows regulatory pressure in the EU, where Apple has been required to make significant changes to comply with the Digital Markets Act. The suit is expected to focus on the monopolistic power of the iOS App Store, similar to the recent EU fine imposed on Apple for infractions related to App Store anti-steering provisions impacting the music streaming market.
The European Commission has decided not to regulate Apple's iMessage as a "gatekeeper service," along with Microsoft's Bing and Edge, despite their initial consideration. This decision comes after Google's request to allow Android users to easily message iPhone owners, prompting Apple to quietly announce RCS compatibility in the next era of iPhones. While iMessage will remain a closed system, this move signifies a shift in the significance of its blue bubbles and its status as a once-exclusive messaging service.
Microsoft Teams has reached over 320 million active monthly users worldwide, with the company shipping its new Teams app that is faster and consumes less disk space compared to the classic app. However, Microsoft is facing pressure from rivals and the EU Commission to unbundle Teams from Microsoft Office. While Microsoft has already unbundled Teams from Office in certain regions, the EU Commission is analyzing the situation and may issue a statement of objections to Microsoft next year. Unbundling Teams from Office could potentially impact the unique selling point of Microsoft Office, which offers a package of productivity tools.
The European Commission has proposed to renew the approval of glyphosate, a controversial herbicide, for 10 years with certain restrictions. The proposal is based on scientific information and can be reconsidered if necessary. The EU countries will vote on the draft regulation in October, and if approved, glyphosate will continue to be used in plant protection across the EU. The proposal has faced criticism from NGOs and Green lawmakers who argue that it puts the health of EU citizens at risk.
European Commission deputy head Vera Jourova has called on companies using generative AI tools to label content that has the potential to generate disinformation. Jourova said that companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms that have signed up to the EU Code of Practice to tackle disinformation should report on safeguards put in place to tackle this in July. She also warned Twitter, which quit the Code last week, to expect more regulatory scrutiny.