Get caught up on the most important events happening today, from the eighth round of India-EU free trade talks to the re-examination of the NEET-UG, and the upcoming T20 World Cup match between Australia and Afghanistan. Plus, find out about the predicted heatwave relief and the latest news from Bollywood and Google.
Apple has confirmed that key iPhone upgrades, including the AI-powered Apple Intelligence suite, won’t be available in the EU due to compliance issues with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This decision stems from concerns over the DMA’s interoperability requirements, which Apple argues could compromise user privacy and data security. While Apple is working with EU authorities to find a solution, the absence of these features in the region raises questions about the future of Apple’s innovation in Europe.
The European Court of Justice has ruled that products like disinfectants cannot be advertised as ‘skin friendly.’ The decision was made after a German court sought clarification on a case involving a drugstore chain that used the label. The court stated that such claims are misleading and can imply a product is beneficial for the skin, while ignoring potential risks.
EU countries have agreed to strengthen nuclear safeguards, increasing inspections and oversight of facilities and materials, despite environmental concerns. This move comes as the EU aims to boost nuclear power for its energy transition, with world leaders and the EU executive advocating for increased nuclear capacity by 2050. The new rules aim to ensure safety, accountability, and traceability in the nuclear sector while addressing concerns about the diversion of materials. However, some countries are pushing for thorough inspections to ensure neighboring states’ safety. The EU’s energy commissioner highlights the role of nuclear in achieving decarbonization goals, but environmental groups remain critical of the EIB’s continued investment in nuclear power projects.
European Union nations have failed to reach an agreement on new sanctions against Russia’s lucrative liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, just a day before the start of the Ukraine Peace Summit. Germany has emerged as the main obstacle to the deal, which would have been the 14th package of sanctions imposed by EU members since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The proposed package included a ban on re-exporting Russian LNG from EU ports and financing planned Arctic and Baltic LNG terminals. Germany is concerned that broadening the sanctions to cover civilian products, such as chemicals and metalworking machinery, would negatively impact small businesses. The European Commission is reportedly negotiating with the German government to convince Berlin to lift its veto. The disagreement highlights divisions within Germany’s governing coalition, with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock calling for stronger sanctions against Belarus.
Over 270 security and privacy experts have issued an open letter expressing their concerns over a controversial proposal by the European Union (EU) that would require messaging platforms to scan citizens’ private communications for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The experts argue that the proposal is technically flawed, will lead to millions of false positives per day, and will undermine encryption and privacy protections. They also warn that it could set a dangerous precedent for internet filtering and surveillance. Despite these concerns, the EU is moving forward with the proposal, which is expected to be discussed further in a working party meeting on May 8.
In response to feedback from developers, Apple has announced changes to its “core technology fee” (CTF) under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The CTF will be waived for developers of free apps and small developers with revenue below €10 million will get a three-year grace period. The changes also apply to iPadOS, which will soon be subject to the DMA’s regulations.
The European Commission faces renewed pressure to reveal its interactions with private technology companies in developing a contentious proposal to scan private messages for child sexual abuse material. Concerns have been raised about potential influence by the tech industry on the Commission’s drafting of the legislation, which has sparked opposition from EU institutions and civil society groups. The EU’s ombudsman is investigating a complaint alleging a lack of transparency and has found preliminary evidence of maladministration by the Commission. The ombudsman urges the Commission to provide greater access to withheld documents, including correspondence with potential suppliers of CSAM-scanning technology.
The EU has effectively quashed a TikTok feature that was deemed “toxic” and “addictive.” TikTok Lite’s reward-to-watch feature, which allowed users to earn rewards by watching and liking videos, has been suspended. This action follows a bill signed by President Biden forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations or face a ban. The EU Commission expressed concerns about the potential for addictive behavior in children, prompting TikTok to voluntarily suspend the rewards function while addressing raised concerns.
According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), pesticide residues pose minimal risk to consumer health, but monitoring imports from third countries is crucial as they are four times more likely to exceed recommended levels. In the latest annual report, EFSA found that 3.7% of EU foodstuffs exceeded residue limits, down from 3.9% in 2021. However, 4% of samples had неизвестный origin, and 3% of those exceeded residue limits, highlighting the need for heightened monitoring. The report also revealed that organic products had lower exceedance rates, but unauthorized substances in organic farming were still detected in third-country imports.
