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EU Charges TikTok Over Child Safety Concerns

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The European Commission has accused TikTok of breaching the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), alleging that the platform’s design does not provide sufficient protection for children online. Regulators said some account settings could expose minors to cyberbullying, unwanted contact, and online predators, potentially leaving the company facing a fine of up to 6% of its global annual revenue.

According to the Commission, TikTok allows children to create public accounts and makes it possible for users to discover minors through followers and following lists, even when accounts are private. EU officials said stronger privacy protections for children should be enabled by default rather than requiring users to change settings manually.

TikTok said it would review the findings and continue cooperating with regulators. The company stated that accounts belonging to users under 18 are private by default and include more than 50 built-in safety and privacy features, including restrictions on direct messaging for younger teens. TikTok will now have the opportunity to respond before the EU reaches a final decision.

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Volkswagen Plans Deeper Cuts Amid Rising Chinese Competition

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Volkswagen has announced plans to deepen cost-cutting measures as Chinese automakers continue expanding into the European market. CEO Oliver Blume said the company faces growing competitive pressure from more than 150 Chinese brands, alongside challenges from tariffs and weakening demand in China. The automaker is seeking major restructuring to remain competitive.

The company has proposed increasing planned job cuts to 100,000 and warned that up to four German plants could face closure after 2030. While Volkswagen’s second-quarter operating profit fell 9.5% to €3.5 billion, analysts noted signs of business stabilisation, supported by stronger-than-expected revenue and healthy cash flow. However, negotiations with labor unions over the restructuring remain unresolved.

Volkswagen has retained its full-year profit margin forecast but has dropped expectations for revenue growth, now projecting sales could decline by up to 3% in 2026. Meanwhile, Chinese manufacturers such as BYD and Geely are strengthening their European presence by establishing local production facilities, intensifying competition in the region’s electric vehicle market.

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ICC Member States Vote on Whether to Remove Prosecutor Karim Khan

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Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are voting on whether to dismiss Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct. Khan has strongly denied the accusations, with his legal team arguing that the dismissal process is unfair and unsupported by evidence. The outcome of the secret ballot is expected later on Friday.

The vote comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the ICC, with the United States renewing criticism of the court, particularly after Khan sought arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Several member states, including France and the Netherlands, have announced their support for Khan’s removal.

If enough member states vote to dismiss Khan, the ICC will begin the process of selecting a new chief prosecutor. However, any existing arrest warrants issued by the court will remain valid, as only ICC judges have the authority to withdraw them. The decision is expected to have significant implications for the court’s leadership and global standing.

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Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations in France

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Around 12,000 people, including nearly 10,000 tourists, have been evacuated from France’s Gironde region as severe wildfires continue to spread across south-western parts of the country. More than 2,000 hectares of land have been destroyed, prompting authorities to close roads, restrict access to forested areas, and ban the use of combustion and electric engines in high-risk zones.

The wildfires come just days after two French firefighters lost their lives battling blazes near Bordeaux. The Gironde region remains under a red alert, while emergency services continue efforts to contain the fires. No new injuries have been reported, but officials warn that the extreme fire risk remains high due to ongoing heatwave conditions.

Elsewhere in Europe, Italy and Spain are also battling major wildfires. Sicily has recorded hundreds of fires, including several large blazes that triggered precautionary evacuations, while Spain continues firefighting operations near Madrid. Climate experts say Europe is experiencing increasingly intense heatwaves and wildfire seasons, with record temperatures and burned areas highlighting the growing impact of climate change.

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EU Approves Paramount-Warner Bros Merger

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The European Commission has approved the proposed $110 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery after Paramount agreed to end its European film distribution partnership with Universal Pictures. Regulators said the move addresses concerns that the combined company could gain excessive control over cinema distribution across Europe.

Despite securing approval in Europe, the merger remains on hold in the United States. A coalition of 12 US states has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the deal, arguing it could harm movie theatres, cable distributors, and consumers. A federal judge has temporarily paused the takeover while the legal challenge is reviewed.

If the merger is not completed by September 30, Paramount could face daily financial penalties under the agreement. The deal has also drawn opposition from the Writers Guild of America, which says it could reduce opportunities and wages for writers. Meanwhile, UK regulators are continuing to assess the merger’s potential impact on local media and competition.

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Russian Attacks Disrupt Ukraine Grain Exports

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Shipowners have temporarily suspended vessel arrivals at Ukraine’s Black Sea ports for agricultural exports following a surge in Russian missile and drone attacks on ports and merchant ships. Ukraine’s Agriculture Ministry said the suspension was a decision taken by shipowners, while the government has not imposed any official restrictions.

According to traders and analysts, Ukraine has lost nearly one-third of its grain export capacity through the Black Sea due to the recent attacks. Although alternative export routes remain available, officials said they are currently underutilised. The disruption comes during the peak harvest season, raising concerns over global grain supplies.

Ukraine has requested an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting after reporting multiple attacks on civilian cargo vessels in recent days. Kyiv accused Russia of deliberately targeting maritime trade, while Moscow maintains it is striking infrastructure linked to Ukraine’s military. The escalating conflict has further disrupted shipping across the Black Sea region.

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Boeing Edges Airbus as Aircraft Orders Cross 300 at Farnborough Airshow

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Aircraft manufacturers secured more than 300 commercial aircraft orders at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK, with Boeing narrowly leading Airbus in total deals. According to a Reuters tally, around 327 firm orders were announced during the event, surpassing the previous Farnborough show in 2024. However, the total remained well below industry expectations of 800 orders due to ongoing supply chain challenges and production constraints.

Boeing’s biggest agreements included 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft ordered by SMBC Aviation Capital, additional 787 Dreamliners for Riyadh Air and Philippine Airlines, and new orders from Uganda Airlines, MSC Air Cargo, and Luxair. Airbus also secured major commitments, including 100 A320neo-family aircraft from SMBC Aviation Capital, more A350s for Riyadh Air, additional aircraft for Flynas, and new orders from BermudAir and Shohin Airlines.

Brazilian manufacturer Embraer also recorded strong demand, receiving orders from Fuji Dream Airlines, Abra Group, and Binter for its regional jets. Meanwhile, engine makers announced significant deals, with British Airways selecting Pratt & Whitney engines for its Airbus fleet, BOC Aviation ordering up to 300 CFM International engines, and IndiGo signing an MoU to purchase more than 1,000 LEAP-1A engines, marking one of the largest engine agreements in aviation history.

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Poland and Hungary Tighten Foreign Worker Rules Amid Labour Shortages

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Poland and Hungary have introduced stricter measures to limit the employment of non-EU workers as both governments seek to address public concerns over immigration. Poland has reduced work permits for non-EU citizens, while Hungary has stopped issuing worker visas to applicants from several countries, including the Philippines, Georgia, and Armenia.

Business groups and economists have warned that the restrictions could worsen labour shortages and slow economic growth. Many industries in both countries rely heavily on foreign workers due to ageing populations and declining birth rates, with employers saying they are already struggling to fill vacancies.

Companies have also raised concerns about delays in processing work and residence permits, prompting some skilled workers to relocate to other European countries. While the governments say they are balancing economic needs with immigration policies, businesses fear tighter rules could affect expansion plans and long-term competitiveness.

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Wildfires Rage Across Spain and France as Heatwave Intensifies

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Firefighters in Spain and France are battling major wildfires as extreme heat and dry conditions continue to grip southern Europe. Spain’s largest wildfire of the year has scorched around 32,000 hectares in Guadalajara, though the blaze has begun to stabilise, allowing some evacuated residents to return home. In France, firefighters are working to contain multiple fires, including one in the Var region that has burned thousands of hectares and forced hundreds of people to evacuate.

Authorities have blamed the combination of intense heat, drought, and human activity for the growing number of fires. Two firefighters lost their lives in southwest France after their vehicle was engulfed by flames, while officials have imposed barbecue bans and urged the public to avoid activities that could spark new fires. Spain has already recorded 22 major wildfires this year, burning more than 100,000 hectares nationwide.

Scientists warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires across Europe. While some regions are expected to see a brief drop in temperatures, weather agencies caution that fire risks remain extremely high and another surge in heat is likely in the coming days.

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Modelling Scout Linked to Jeffrey Epstein Found Dead in France

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Daniel Siad, a 69-year-old modelling scout linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has been found dead at his home in Colombes, a suburb of Paris. French prosecutors confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of death, with an autopsy expected to provide further details.

Siad’s name appeared numerous times in documents related to the Epstein case. One of Epstein’s alleged victims previously claimed that Siad introduced her to Epstein, while several women in France had also filed complaints against Siad, including allegations of rape. He consistently denied all accusations and maintained that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal activities.

Lawyers representing several complainants expressed disappointment that Siad died before being questioned by investigators, saying it has deprived victims of an opportunity to seek justice and uncover further information about Epstein’s network. His death comes four years after Epstein associate Jean-Luc Brunel was found dead in a Paris prison while facing similar allegations.

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