Tag

European Commission

All articles tagged with #european commission

europe1 day ago•3 min saved

EU capitals push to revive frozen Russian assets plan for Ukraine funding

EU heavyweights from the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden urge Brussels to restart the use of frozen Russian state assets to back a Kyiv loan, citing Ukraine's roughly €23 billion defense funding hole. Past efforts to leverage about €210 billion of assets stalled over legal/guarantee concerns, while the EU has committed a €90 billion loan to Ukraine to be disbursed over 18 months, contingent on reforms. Belgium seeks safeguards as the debate returns ahead of a foreign ministers’ gathering.

via politico.eu|

#eu-sanctions #europe #european-commission

business1 month ago•4 min saved

EU approves Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger on condition to terminate Universal deal

The European Commission conditionally approves Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, requiring Paramount to terminate its European film distribution agreement with Universal Pictures within 13 months of closing to avoid concentrating European film distribution; the decision follows US antitrust challenges and ongoing UK scrutiny, with the deal still facing a US court block and potential delays if closing is not completed by late September.

via Broadband TV News|

#business #concessions #european-commission

business1 month ago•16 min saved

EU Clears Paramount-Warner Merger With Universal Exit Commitments

The European Commission approved the $111 billion Paramount Skydance–Warner Bros. Discovery merger, subject to commitments requiring Paramount to unwind its European film distribution partnership with Universal within 13 months to address competition concerns; the deal also faces U.S. state lawsuits and a Writers Guild challenge, while the U.K. is reviewing potential intervention and other regulators have already approved it.

via Variety|

#antitrust #business #european-commission

technology1 month ago•9 min saved

EU Orders Google to Level Android Playing Field for Rival AI Apps

The European Commission formally orders Google to grant third‑party AI services the same access to Android device features as Gemini, under the Digital Markets Act. The requirement covers 11 features, inter‑app actions, background tasks, and access to on‑device AI resources, with most changes due by August 1, 2027. Google says it will advocate a balanced approach to protect privacy and security while pursuing compliance.

via MacRumors|

#android #digital-markets-act #european-commission

technology1 month ago•9 min saved

EU Grants Apple Watch and AirPods a Battery-Removability Exemption

The European Commission expanded exemptions to its Batteries Regulation, freeing Apple Watch and AirPods from the user-removable battery requirement due to their sealed, safety-focused designs; the iPhone remains exempt. The delegated act still requires approval from the EU Parliament and Council and would take effect 20 days after publication, with a wider rollout in 2027. Nintendo has announced a Switch 2 EU version with a replaceable battery to meet the rules.

via MacRumors|

#airpods #apple-watch #batteries-regulation

business1 month ago•14 min saved

Paramount Offers Remedies to Clear EU Waters for WBD Merger

Paramount has filed concessions with the European Commission to win clearance for its $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery merger, hoping remedies address EC concerns and speed approval ahead of a July 22 decision. The company did not disclose the specifics of the concessions, but says they directly address the EC’s preliminary concerns. The development comes as the UK weighs intervention and the CMA continues its review, while the DOJ has already approved the deal in the US and state attorneys general weigh possible antitrust action.

via Deadline|

#business #concessions #european-commission

business2 months ago•1 min saved

EU opens antitrust probe into Sanofi’s flu vaccine marketing

The European Commission has opened formal antitrust proceedings against Sanofi over its marketing of the flu vaccine Efluelda, accusing the company of a misleading campaign that portrayed CSL Seqirus’ Fluad as inferior and contradicted national vaccination guidance in Germany and France; the probe targets Sanofi’s messaging to healthcare professionals and its dominant market position, nine months after EC raids, with Sanofi saying it will address the concerns. CSL reported Fluad sales of about $901 million last year, while Sanofi does not disclose vaccine sales; Efluelda is sold as Fluzone HD in the US.

via Fierce Pharma|

#antitrust #business #csl-seqirus

business2 months ago•15 min saved

EU Expected to Green-Light Paramount-Warner Merger With Concessions

The European Commission is poised to approve Paramount’s $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery without a full antitrust investigation, but likely only after concessions to address competition concerns, which could include Paramount exiting certain international distribution deals and possibly divesting some assets; the decision is due by July 7, with UK regulators and foreign subsidies reviews and Middle East funding scrutinized separately.

via Deadline|

#business #eu-antitrust #european-commission

technology2 months ago•10 min saved

EU rejects mandatory game preservation; shifts toward industry code and consumer safeguards

The European Commission rejected a legal obligation to keep video games playable after publishers stop providing them, citing intellectual property rights and existing EU consumer protections. It will instead pursue a jointly developed industry code of conduct on end-of-life management and strengthen awareness of consumer rights, while leaving room for future reforms. This keeps pressure on publishers to rethink online lifespans and may influence other countries.

via GamingOnLinux|

#consumer-rights #european-commission #industry-code-of-conduct

technology2 months ago•9 min saved

EU Says Siri Won't Arrive in Europe Until Apple Meets DMA Rules

The European Commission says Apple’s decision not to launch Siri AI in the EU is entirely Apple’s, accusing the company of seeking a blanket exemption from interoperability obligations under the DMA rather than proposing a compliant solution. Regulators contend Apple failed to develop interoperable options that meet EU privacy and security standards, despite Apple’s claims that regulators refused to engage on proposals. Consequently, Siri AI won’t be available in the EU with iOS 27, though Apple says it hopes to bring Siri to Europe in the future without providing a timeline.

via MacRumors|

#digital-markets-act #european-commission #european-union

technology2 months ago•5 min saved

EU's Tech Sovereignty Drive Falls Short, Frustrating Brussels and Washington

The European Commission on June 3 unveiled a tech sovereignty package aimed at reducing Europe’s dependence on U.S. tech, but critics say it’s too soft and risks angering Washington. The centerpiece Cloud and AI Development Act would implement a four-level certification to rate tools for vulnerability to foreign interference and could require replacing some foreign services with European options, yet large parts of the market could remain open to American giants. Reactions from lawmakers and industry groups warn the plan could be protectionist or ineffective without tougher action against major tech firms, and the proposal faces a lengthy negotiation between Parliament and national governments. Some officials also hint at coordinating with U.S.-led AI supply chain efforts (Pax Silica), while the Commission emphasizes openness and fair competition. Environmental standards for data centers are notably absent, drawing criticism from Greens and others.

via politico.eu|

#artificial-intelligence #cloud-computing #european-commission

europe3 months ago•4 min saved

Brussels releases €16.4B in EU funds to Hungary after Magyar deal

Brussels and Hungary reached an agreement to unblock €16.4 billion of frozen EU funds, with €10 billion from the Recovery and Resilience Facility and €4.2 billion plus €2.2 billion from cohesion funds, contingent on Hungary meeting 27 'super-milestones' tied to rule-of-law and governance reforms. The money will fund transport infrastructure, healthcare, SMEs, education and energy-grid upgrades, and Erasmus+ will be available for students. Hungary’s unfreezing follows PM Péter Magyar’s victory and is not linked to Ukraine talks, though it requires guarantees on minority rights; failure to meet milestones could jeopardize parts of the funding.

via Euronews|

#eu-funds #europe #european-commission

business3 months ago•3 min saved

EU keeps options open as Trump threatens 25% auto tariffs

EU officials say they’ll keep options open as Trump threatens to raise tariffs on European cars and auto parts to 25% over alleged noncompliance with the Turnberry deal; Brussels says it’s implementing the pact in line with standard practice while EU governments remain divided on safeguards, with a final vote possible soon, underscoring the risk of a renewed transatlantic trade dispute.

via politico.eu|

#autos #business #european-commission

world4 months ago•3 min saved

Tisza Party clinches sweeping majority as EU funds hinge on reforms

Hungary’s Tisza party widened its parliamentary majority to 141 seats, paving the path for rapid reforms to unlock about €17 billion in EU funds. PM-elect Péter Magyar has begun talks with the European Commission to map the 27 reform conditions and lift Viktor Orbán’s veto, with the EU signaling potential early Ukraine loan payments and a looming August deadline for post-COVID funds.

via politico.eu|

#eu-funds #european-commission #hungary

world5 months ago•13 min saved

Fans urge EU scrutiny of World Cup ticket pricing

Soccer supporters have filed a formal complaint with the European Commission alleging that FIFA World Cup ticket prices are too high and opaque, calling for EU review of pricing practices and potential remedies to improve affordability and access for fans.

via AP News|

#european-commission #fans #fifa