Author: Jerry Jackson

France’s competition authority has fined Apple €150 million for unfairly restricting third-party apps. Regulators say Apple abused its power in the app distribution market, making it harder for competitors to operate on iPhones and iPads. Apple’s App Tracking Transparency Under Fire The controversy centers on Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) tool, introduced in 2021. Apple markets ATT as a privacy feature that allows users to control how apps collect their data. Under ATT, apps must ask for permission before tracking users. However, France’s competition watchdog argues that Apple unfairly applied ATT. While third-party apps must go through multiple steps to…

After the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, China has swiftly stepped in to lead international relief efforts, providing vital aid and filling the leadership vacuum left by the United States. Once a cornerstone of global disaster response, the U.S. is now notably absent, with the near-total dismantling of USAID (United States Agency for International Development) under former President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This drastic shift has left the U.S. with only a minor role in the ongoing relief efforts. USAID’s Collapse and the Dismantling of U.S. Presence On the same day that the earthquake struck Myanmar, the…

President Donald Trump has made it clear that Iran must agree to a new nuclear deal or face military action. In an interview with NBC on Sunday, he issued a stark warning. “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombs,” he said. Trump also mentioned that he is considering reintroducing secondary sanctions. These sanctions would punish any country that continues to do business with Iran. This approach is similar to what he did during his first term. By putting economic pressure on Iran, Trump hopes to force the country back to the negotiating table. However, Iran has shown…

The global car industry saw steady growth in 2024, with the world’s 16 largest carmakers increasing their total revenues by 1.6%, surpassing €2 trillion in total sales. However, German brands failed to keep up. A report from EY showed that BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen recorded a combined revenue drop of 2.8%. Among them, Volkswagen was the only one to see a small increase, while Stellantis performed the worst, suffering a sharp 17% decline. Even though Germany’s top three carmakers still brought in nearly €613 billion—around 30% of the global total—their market share is shrinking. Their once-dominant position in the industry…

The U.S. government has asked French companies with federal contracts to confirm they do not engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. According to Les Echos, the U.S. Embassy in Paris sent compliance questionnaires to companies involved in defense, infrastructure, and technology. These firms were required to provide assurances that they align with the administration’s DEI ban. A senior French official close to Finance Minister Eric Lombard condemned the request, calling it “out of step with our values.” The French government is preparing to raise the issue with Washington. While the full scope of the inquiry remains unclear, there…

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, shaking several Southeast Asian countries and causing widespread devastation. The tremor, which had its epicenter near Mandalay, occurred just 10 kilometers beneath the surface, making it particularly destructive. Myanmar’s military authorities reported that over 1,000 people have died, and nearly 2,000 others are injured. However, experts believe the real toll could be much higher. The U.S. Geological Survey warned that fatalities may exceed 10,000 across the region due to collapsed buildings, landslides, and widespread infrastructure damage. Widespread Damage and Ongoing Rescue Efforts The earthquake was felt across Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh, India, and…

Vice President JD Vance, his wife Usha, and top officials from the Trump administration landed at a U.S. military base in Greenland. Their visit was low-profile, avoiding Greenlandic officials and major cities. Instead, they remained at the remote base, interacting only with military personnel. Vance, known for his sharp humor, joked about the frigid temperatures and the troops braving a “polar bear plunge.” His words may have been lighthearted, but his visit carried deeper political implications. Speaking about Greenland, Vance hinted at the administration’s interest, saying, “We may have some interest in Greenland from the Trump administration.” His remarks raised…

US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has admitted to a major security breach after he accidentally included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a private Signal chat. The chat included top officials, such as Senator Marco Rubio, Senator JD Vance, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The group discussed planned military strikes against Houthi forces in Yemen, revealing sensitive attack details. Waltz explained that the mistake happened when he saved the wrong number, thinking Goldberg was someone else. “I started the chat and take full responsibility,” he said during an interview with Fox News. Goldberg later disclosed the incident in a published report,…

A new intelligence report from the United States identifies China as the top military and cyber threat. The Annual Threat Assessment warns that China is working on advanced weapons and digital tools. These efforts could help Beijing carry out a future attack on Taiwan. U.S. officials say China is making steady progress in military power. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is expanding its arsenal. It now has hypersonic missiles, stealth jets, nuclear weapons, and cyber tools. Space warfare capabilities are also improving. The report also says China wants to be the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2030. Rising…

A Georgia jury has ruled that Bayer must pay over $2 billion in damages. The case involved a man who said he developed cancer after using Roundup. The herbicide contains glyphosate, a chemical that has been linked to health concerns. This is one of the largest penalties Bayer has faced in ongoing lawsuits over the product. Bayer has announced plans to appeal the decision. The company argues that scientific studies support the safety of glyphosate. If history repeats itself, the final payout could be much lower. In a previous case, a similar ruling of $2.25 billion was reduced to $400…